The EA MLA is an agreement signed between the European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA) accreditation body members to recognise the equivalence, reliability and therefore acceptance of accredited certifications, inspections, calibration certificates, test reports and reference materials across Europe. Currently, INAB is a signatory to the EA MLA for accreditation of testing (including medical testing) & calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, management systems certification bodies, product certification bodies, and reference material producers, collectively known as conformity assessment bodies, or CABs.

The MLA eliminates the need for suppliers of products or services to be certified in each country where they sell their products or services, and therefore provides a means for goods and services to cross boundaries in Europe.

It delivers confidence in the service supplied by accredited laboratories, inspection and certification bodies, thereby providing the framework for goods and services to cross European borders, and acting as a "passport for trade."

The EA MLA is recognised at worldwide level through the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and it is through this mechanism that European accreditation bodies (ABs) attain international recognition for their accredited CABs, meaning that goods and services can cross boundaries, not only in Europe, but around the world.

The EA MLA is maintained through a robust peer evaluation system. These on-site evaluations confirm INAB’s continued conformity to internationally accepted criteria. INAB is evaluated against ISO 17011, applicable EA, IAF and ILAC documents and is overseen by the EU Commission, the EA Multilateral Agreement Council (MAC) and national authorities.  Peer evaluation teams regularly include representatives from ILAC and IAF.

INAB’s peer evaluation history:

• 1993: 1st peer evaluation: accreditation of test and calibration laboratories
• 1997: Scope extended to include accreditation of quality and environmental management system certification bodies
• 1999: Follow-up visit
• 2002: Scope extended to include accreditation of product certification bodies
• 2006: Scope extended to include accreditation of inspection bodies
• 2010: Routine evaluation, and testing MLA was expanded to include medical laboratories
• 2014: Routine evaluation
• 2018: Scope extended to include accreditation of reference material producers
• 2021: Scope extended to include accreditation of persons certification bodies. 
• 2022: INAB’s next routine peer evaluation is due

INAB is signatory to the following MLAs:
European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) Click on the image to see INAB's full scope of recognition The EA MLA Process
International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Click on the image to see INAB's full scope of recognition IAF Signatory Search - Click the here
International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) Click on the image to see INABs full scope of recognition ILAC Signatory Search - Click the icon below

ILAC and IAF have developed marks which can be used by the member accreditation bodies and their accredited bodies under specific conditions set out in a licence agreement.
The ILAC and IAF marks demonstrate:

• the signatory status to the ILAC / IAF arrangement;
• that the test report or certificate has been issued by a body accredited by a member of the ILAC / IAF arrangement. As such, it can be recognised and accepted by any of the signatories of these arrangements.

The INAB Services section provides further information on these marks and their use by accredited clients.

EU Regulation 765/2008 provides a legal framework for the provision of accreditation services for conformity assessment activities across Europe. It emerged against the background of a growing recognition of the importance of accreditation to the EU’s economic infrastructure. The Regulation covers the operation of accreditation in support of voluntary conformity assessment as well as conformity assessment required by legislation. The Regulation is part of a legislative suite aimed at maximising the potential of the Single Market in the free movement of goods throughout the European Union.

The single European market allows the free movement of goods, services and personnel within the European Union. This free trade presupposes confidence in the product or service being offered and can only be effective upon elimination of technical barriers to trade. Member States of the EU have established a network of national accreditation bodies, which ensures that the competence of all laboratories, inspection and certification bodies are assessed to the same principles.

The European Commission recognises accreditation as the preferred mechanism for the elimination of technical barriers to trade and has stated “Accreditation is essential for the correct operation of a transparent and quality-oriented market.”   Accreditation can provide competitive advantage and facilitate access to export markets, in addition to acting as a catalyst to raise standards and institute improved work practices.

Accreditation is often required to demonstrate conformance with the requirements of laws, official regulations and EU Directives.

Accreditation in support of regulation has grown significantly in recent years and the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) has compiled a document referencing all European legislation requiring accreditation. The document can be found here