UKAS accreditation assesses the technical competence and integrity of British organisations that offer evaluation services in the public interest.
Of course, accreditation has many potential benefits for the quality of goods being provided and in the provision of different services throughout the supply chain and underpins the practical applications of a rising number of activities spanning all sections of today’s economy. In fact, a recent study has found that it has a positive impact of around £1bn on the UK economy every year.
Benefits for the Government
UKAS is the only recognised appointed national accreditation for the Accreditation Regulations 2009 (SI No 3155/2009) and the EU Regulation (EC) 765/2008 and operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government through the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
The accreditation that UKAS provides has been seen as an increasingly valuable tool for a wide range of policy areas for the Government - including better regulation, good governance, fair markets and public confidence. The Government already actively uses it as an effective tool for helping them to deliver policy more efficiently and deliver on its obligations in a wide range of public services – including healthcare, food production, energy supply, climate change and personal safety.
UKAS has become the only trusted body because it has established transparency and repeatable assessment procedures that are applicable to all forms of conformity and the benefits of collaborating with UKAS can:
• Reduce the need for central and local government to employ their own specialist assessment personnel. Accreditation provides the assurance for Government to rely on commercial providers of evaluation and inspection services.
• Build business and public trust
• Provide an alternative to Regulation whilst ensuring the reliability of activities that have the potential to impact on public confidence, health and safety or the environment.
• Enable innovation in the private and public sectors
You can find out further information about working with the Government and Public Sector Assurance on the UKAS website that illustrates the value of the accreditation. You will be able to access case studies, independent research and supporting information.
Benefits for Businesses
Often, companies will buy their own independent evaluations either through their own choice to reduce the risk of the product they are purchasing from failing or as a consequence of legal requirements within their industry, such as health and safety. In most cases, the evaluations that are carried out are the calibration of equipment, product testing, inspection of equipment and the certification of management systems.
• Selecting an accredited organisation is an essential tool for decision-making and risk management.
• Organisations can save time and money by selecting an accredited and therefore competent supplier.
• Reliable measurements, tests and inspections are carried out in compliance with best practices to limit product failure and reduce downtime and control manufacturing costs.
• Accreditation to internationally-recognised standards can provide a competitive advantage and facilitate access to export markets within the EU and beyond. (see international system)
• Using an accredited body to carry out an independent evaluation helps demonstrate due diligence in the event of legal action.
Source: UKAS Benefits
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