Multilateral agreements in the field of accreditation represent a key mechanism for the mutual recognition of the equivalence of national accreditation systems and the acceptance of the results issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies. Their primary objective is to build confidence in accreditation, eliminate technical barriers to trade, and facilitate the free movement of goods and services at the regional and international levels.

EA MLA Agreement (European Level)

The primary role of the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) is to establish a harmonised accreditation system within the European Union, supporting the implementation of European policies in areas of public interest, including the safety and health of citizens, environmental protection, and the functioning of the single European market through the elimination of technical barriers to trade.

Given that the accreditation system in the European Union consists of national systems established and operated by the national accreditation bodies of the Member States, it was necessary to develop a mechanism for their integration into European accreditation system. This integration is achieved through the Multilateral Agreement operated by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA MLA).

A national accreditation body attains signatory status to the EA MLA Agreement once it has fulfilled stringent requirements regarding its organisation, integrity, and competence to perform accreditation activities, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, the international standard ISO/IEC 17011, as well as the mandatory documents and guidelines developed and adopted by EA. Compliance with these requirements is verified through a peer evaluation process, organised and conducted under the auspices of EA by competent evaluators from other national accreditation bodies.

By obtaining signatory status, it is confirmed that the national accreditation system, within the scope covered by the EA MLA Agreement, is equivalent to the systems of other Member States operated by national accreditation bodies that are signatories to the Agreement. In this way, the national accreditation system becomes an integral part of the harmonized European accreditation system.

The equivalence of accreditation systems implies that reports and certificates issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies, within the scopes covered by the EA MLA Agreement, are recognised as equally reliable and credible throughout the European Union. This eliminates technical barriers to trade, as there is no longer a need for repeated testing, inspection, or certification of products and services when placing them on the markets of other Member States.

Status of ATCG in relation to the EA MLA Agreement

In October 2023, ATCG attained signatory status to the EA MLA Agreement in the fields of testing (ISO/IEC 17025), including medical examinations (ISO 15189), calibration (ISO/IEC 17025), inspection (ISO/IEC 17020) and certification of products (ISO/IEC 17065).

The decision of the EA Multilateral Agreement Council (EA MAC), adopted at its 49th meeting held on 5 October 2023 in Brussels, is available below on this page.

In accordance with the rules and procedures of the EA, regular surveillance evaluations are carried out in order to maintain EA MLA signatory status. The first regular surveillance evaluation of ATCG was conducted from 4 to 8 November 2024 by a team of EA peer evaluators.

The decision of the EA MAC, adopted at its 43rd meeting held on 1 October 2025 in Brussels, relating to surveillance evaluation of ATCG, is also available below on this page. In accordance with that decision, a follow-up evaluation of ATCG is scheduled for 10–12 March 2026, after which the EA MAC will adopt a final decision on the status of ATCG within the framework of the EA MLA Agreement.

Significance of Signing the EA MLA Agreement

Signing the EA MLA Agreement brings multiple benefits to the economy and society.

Through the mutual recognition of the equivalence of accreditation systems, reports and certificates issued by accredited laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies are recognised and accepted throughout the European Union. This means that products and services of domestic manufacturers and service providers, accompanied by the relevant accredited reports and certificates, do not need to undergo repeated testing, inspection, or certification when being placed on the markets of other Member States. In this way, access to the European market is facilitated, business costs are reduced, and the competitiveness of the economy is strengthened.

At the same time, signing the Agreement contributes to strengthening the confidence of service users and end consumers in the work of accredited bodies, as their results are recognised with the same level of reliability as those issued by conformity assessment bodies in other Member States.

Public authorities may, with a higher degree of confidence, delegate certain responsibilities to accredited bodies through their authorisation or designation for the implementation of public policies related to the safety and health of citizens, environmental monitoring and protection, consumer protection, and similar areas.

For candidate countries, signing the EA MLA Agreement also represents an important step in the process of European integration, particularly in relation to the free movement of goods and the development of a reliable national quality infrastructure.

MRA Agreement (International Level)

As of 1 January 2026, a unified international accreditation organisation, Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, commenced its operations. Among other responsibilities, this organisation is in charge of establishing, maintaining, and overseeing the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement in the field of accreditation (MRA – Multilateral Recognition Arrangement) at the global level.

ATCG currently does not hold signatory status to the MRA. During 2026, activities are planned with a view to acceding to this Arrangement, in accordance with the procedures and requirements of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated.

By signing the MRA, the integration of the national accreditation system into the global framework would be ensured, along with the international recognition of reports and certificates issued by conformity assessment bodies accredited by ATCG, within the scopes of accreditation covered by this Arrangement.

• EA MAC Decision - ATCG maintaining EA MLA, Oct. 2025
• EA MAC Decision - ATCG Signatory to EA MLA, Dec. 2023