National and international links
At national level, CABs interested in accreditation issues are represented via the extended accreditation board and the associations of accredited bodies. Akkreditierung Austria, the Austrian National Accreditation Body (NAB) has established strong links with the international accreditation-related bodies.
National links
Austrian Standards
Akkreditierung Austria is heavily involved in Standardisation Committees of Austrian Standards.
Internet address: https://www.austrian-standards.at/en
Austrolab
As a non-profit association, Austrolab has been established to represent the common interests of its members (accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies) at the national as well as international level.
Internet address: http://www.austrolab.at/
International links
Worldwide
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) promotes collaboration between accreditation bodies for testing-, calibration- and inspection- bodies. Its members are both nationally recognised accreditation bodies and regional associations such as EA. ILAC is an international forum to discuss issues of accreditation and identify joint procedures and practices to create mutual trust and confidence. Austria signed the ILAC Arrangement for calibration and testing on 22 September 2002 and for inspection on 25 October 2012, thus becoming a full ILAC member with all attendant rights and duties.
Internet address: http://www.ilac.org/
International Accreditation Forum, Inc. (IAF)
The International Accreditation Forum is a global association of accreditation bodies that accredit certification bodies for management systems, products and personnel competence. Austria signed the Multilateral Recognition Arrangements (MRA) of IAF on 25 September 2003 (QMS), as a result of which certification bodies accredited by the Austrian accreditation body are now recognised worldwide.
The IAF-MRAs for EMS and product certification were signed on 9 October 2004.
Internet address: http://www.iaf.nu/
Europe
European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA)
Akkreditierung Austria, the Austrian National Accreditation Body (NAB) at the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy is a member of the European Co-operation for Accreditation (EA), having signed multilateral recognition arrangements (MLAs) with the other members of EA (the recognised National Accreditation Bodies of the EU and EFTA states). EA covers the entire range of accreditation and is integrated in other international organisations dedicated to co-operation in accreditation. EA is member in ILAC and IAF and thus has to follow requirements set forth by those organisations.
Internet address: http://www.european-accreditation.org/