The Belgian Accreditation Body (BELAC) (Organisme belge d’Accréditation / Belgische Accreditatie-instelling) is Belgium’s national accreditation body, responsible for accrediting conformity assessment bodies such as laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies. Before 2006, Belgium’s accreditation activities were carried out by several separate schemes, including BKO (calibration laboratories), BELTEST (testing laboratories and inspection bodies), and BELCERT (certification bodies). In 2006, these bodies were merged into a single national accreditation body under the name BELAC. The organization operates under the authority of the Belgian State, with responsibilities assigned through the Federal Public Service (FPS) Economy, which is Belgium’s federal ministry responsible for economic policy, market regulation, and quality infrastructure, including accreditation.

Since 1 August 2006, BELAC has been Belgium’s only national accreditation body, in line with the European accreditation framework set out in Regulation (EC) No 765/2008. At international level, the body participates in the European and global accreditation system through membership in the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Through these memberships, it takes part in mutual recognition arrangements that enable the international acceptance of test reports, calibration certificates, certifications, and inspection results issued by accredited Belgian bodies, helping to reduce technical barriers to trade.

BELAC carries out accreditation across a wide range of activities, including testing, calibration, and medical laboratories; inspection bodies; certification bodies for management systems, products, services, and persons; validation and verification bodies; proficiency testing providers; and reference material producers. It operates in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011 and maintains a documented management system governing accreditation criteria, procedures, and oversight. For more information, please visit BELAC’s official website.