The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) was a global network of accreditation bodies and other stakeholders involved in conformity assessment activities in various fields such as management systems, products, services, personnel, and other similar programs of conformity assessment. Established in 1993, IAF promoted the acceptance of accredited certification and related services, with the aim of facilitating global trade and enhancing the acceptance of goods and services across national borders. On January 1, 2026, IAF became part of Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI), which was created through the integration of IAF and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

IAF members included accreditation bodies from around the world, along with regional accreditation groups, stakeholders from industry sectors, and associations involved in the accreditation process. Through its work, IAF developed and maintained multilateral recognition arrangements (MLAs) among its members to ensure mutual recognition of accreditation and to minimize the risk of products or services being rejected in international markets due to non-compliance with accreditation standards. This system played a critical role in reducing barriers to trade and enhanced global economic integration by ensuring that once a product, service, or personnel is certified in one country, it could be accepted in another without the need for further testing or certification.

IAF actively collaborates with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to ensure that accreditation practices globally align with international standards. The forum also worked closely with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to coordinate efforts in the global accreditation landscape. By harmonizing accreditation practices and standards, IAF supports its members in improving the quality and safety of goods and services, fostering public health, and protecting the environment.

Following the establishment of Global ACI, a transition period is underway for the replacement of the former IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) Mark with the new Global ACI MRA Mark. Existing arrangements allow continued use of the IAF MLA Mark under specified conditions until the Global ACI mark becomes legally available in individual economies.

For more detailed information about IAF’s initiatives, governance, and the benefits of accreditation, please visit their official website.