As part of the process of formal recognition of the European co-operation for accreditation (EA) as the body providing the support infrastructure to the new European accreditation framework, the signing of the general Guidelines for cooperation between the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) and the European Commission, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the competent national authorities took place in Brussels on April 1st 2009. These Guidelines have now been published in the OJEU on May 21st 2009.

These Guidelines on Accreditation embody the policy commitment of European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), of the European Commission, of the European Free trade Association (EFTA) and of the competent national authorities. They are intended to widen and strengthen the co-operation in order to reflect the developments in policy and legislation, such as the adoption of the Regulation on accreditation (Regulation (EC) No 765/2008), and to stabilise the position of accreditation, accreditation bodies in EU and EFTA Member States and EA with the view to prepare a successful implementation of the said Regulation.

Since the situation regarding accreditation has evolved over the passed years, EA, the European Commission, EFTA and the competent national authorities agree that these guidelines should constitute an update in relation to the abovementioned existing cooperation documents in order to take account of this evolution.

EA, the European Commission, EFTA and the competent national authorities have a common understanding that accreditation plays an important role for the internal market and the quality of life of European citizens and that it constitutes an important instrument in support of European policy and legislation reflecting public interest, notably in the implementation of Community harmonisation legislation.

These Guidelines include a set of European accreditation policy common objectives, and establishes the principles of relationship and cooperation according to such policy.

Principles of relationship and cooperation

• Relations between EA and the public authorities at a European level, as well as with the national public authorities, should be based on the acknowledgement of the common objectives, bearing in mind their distinct responsibilities and competencies. They emphasise that a permanent, open and transparent dialogue between them is a fundamental basis for cooperation.
• The national member bodies of EA have a vital role in the cooperation between EA, the European Commission, EFTA and competent national authorities Member States. Cooperation between all the relevant bodies and common understanding of the objectives is
• essential for these guidelines to be successful.
• The internal rules of EA should ensure that, whether in the regulated and the non-regulated area, stakeholders in accreditation are adequately represented, so that the broadest possible range of views is taken into account in drawing up accreditation guidelines and other documents and that the procedures are open and transparent.
• Coherence and uniformity, both at European and national level, should be ensured in the development and implementation of accreditation policy, based on the establishment of the effective communication channels and the commitment to actively exchange information.
• It is essential that effort is made to respond readily and appropriately to differing market needs in different sectors and to the needs of national public authorities whose recourse to accreditation is expected to the utmost possible level, in particular in support of Community legislation.

Accreditation

The European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) on one side and the European Commission, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the competent national authorities on the other side, confirm that accreditation is an independent and authoritative attestation, delivered by accreditation bodies, of the competence, impartiality and professional integrity of conformity assessment bodies (CABs) and, therefore, of the value and credibility of the testing and inspection reports, calibration certificates, management system, product and personnel certificates and other attestations issued according to harmonized standards.