Conformity assessment results from a conformity assessment body (CAB) that has been accredited by an accreditation body that is a Full Member of Global ACI, i.e. a signatory to the Global ACI Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), will be accepted by the Global ACI MRA signatories. However, even though a CAB that has been accredited by an Global ACI MRA signatory is more likely to have its results accepted in a foreign market, there is still no guarantee that these results will be accepted by other parties within that market, as the work in ensuring governments and regulators understand the nature of both accreditation and the acceptance of results via the Global ACI MRA is ongoing.

In many economies, the government, regulators and specifiers accept the results from CABs accredited by accreditation bodies that are signatories to the Global ACI MRA without further conformity assessment activities. This however cannot be mandated by Global ACI. In addition, you will need to consider whether goods are tested or inspected to a particular standard that is recognised or specified in the foreign market. Many economies have specific requirements for the conformity assessment of imported goods that must be met before the goods are accepted in their marketplace. Global ACI recommends contacting the relevant regulatory bodies in the economies where you are exporting to, for information on their national requirements and legislation regarding the acceptance of conformity assessment results.

The list of all accreditation bodies that are members of Global ACI (including Associate Members and Full Members), by economy, is available here. Note that not all accreditation bodies that are members of Global ACI are also signatories to the Global ACI MRA, and therefore the results from their accredited CABs may not be recognised in other economies.