The Ente Costarricense de Acreditación (ECA) is Costa Rica’s national accreditation body, responsible for accrediting organizations involved in testing, calibration, certification, and inspection services. Established in 2002, ECA operates under the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Commerce. Its primary mission is to ensure that conformity assessment bodies in Costa Rica meet international standards of competence and reliability, thereby enhancing the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services across various industries.

ECA collaborates with national and international organizations to uphold high standards of accreditation. It is a full member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Through these memberships, ECA participates in mutual recognition arrangements that facilitate the global acceptance of test and calibration results, certifications, and inspection reports issued by accredited Costa Rican bodies. These international partnerships help reduce technical barriers to trade and enhance the global competitiveness of Costa Rican products and services.

To maintain its leadership in accreditation, ECA continuously updates its accreditation criteria and processes to align with international best practices. It provides essential services, including the accreditation of laboratories, certification bodies, and inspection agencies. By ensuring the quality and reliability of these services, ECA supports regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and industrial innovation. For more detailed information about ECA’s initiatives and impact, please visit their official website.