Sunday, 9 June 2024, marks World Accreditation Day (#WAD2024), a global initiative established by The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to promote the value of accreditation.
Foundation FSSC celebrates the day alongside the IAF, with this year’s theme, Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future, highlighting how accreditation can help shape a multitude of aspects in our rapidly developing world and emphasizes its crucial role in technological innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
Building Trust in a Changing World
Accreditations have been a cornerstone of societal security for decades, forming the foundation of trust in nearly all aspects of life. They facilitate the development and implementation of new technologies, support cybersecurity and data protection, and help consumers and businesses make informed decisions, particularly regarding sustainability.
The global economy faces challenges such as inflation, low growth prospects, economic fluctuations, trade disruptions, and climate change. Simultaneously, technological advancements and changing consumer behavior are transforming markets. World Accreditation Day 2024 aims to demonstrate how accreditation can make a positive contribution to overcoming these challenges.
Accreditation: Key to Tackling Global Challenges
In April 2024, the FSSC 24000 Scheme for Social Management Systems joined FSSC 22000, the Foundation’s longstanding food safety management Scheme, as an IAF-recognized MLA sub-scope. The signing of the updated Scheme Endorsement Agreement ensures that Foundation FSSC Schemes have mutual recognition by IAF MLA signatories and consequently allows for the acceptance of accredited certificates in many markets based on a single accreditation.
Foundation FSSC’s responsibility is to support the consumer goods industry and related supply chain with our Schemes and facilitate the implementation of effective management systems that will have a long-term impact on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FSSC strongly believes that assurance and trust in third-party certification are met through associations like IAF, which ensure reliable and consistent Accreditation Body oversight in a globally harmonized manner.
The IAF is helping organizations tackle global challenges and promote sustainable development through accreditation and schemes like FSSC 22000 & FSSC 24000. This includes the rising significance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues and a circular economy to combat climate change and transition to a supply chain that minimizes waste and extends the lifestyle of products. Accreditations and validations play a vital role in ensuring compliance with product safety, efficiency, and reusability requirements and help demonstrate sustainable practices; building trust with consumers and regulatory authorities.
Learn More About World Accreditation Day 2024
World Accreditation Day 2024 highlights how accreditations shape the future and support innovations. The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) provide comprehensive information on the role of accreditation in addressing global challenges and present positive examples from various fields. Accreditations are not only a guarantee of quality and safety but also a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development in a changing world.
