The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the United Kingdom's national accreditation body, responsible for accrediting organizations involved in testing, calibration, certification, and inspection services. Established in 1995, UKAS operates under a memorandum of understanding with the UK government through the Department for Business and Trade. Its primary role is to ensure that conformity assessment bodies in the UK meet rigorous international standards of competence and reliability, thereby supporting the quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services across various industries.

UKAS collaborates with a variety of 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, UKAS participates in mutual recognition arrangements that facilitate the global acceptance of test and calibration results, certifications, and inspection reports issued by accredited UK bodies. These international partnerships help reduce technical barriers to trade and enhance the global competitiveness of UK products and services.

To maintain its leadership in accreditation, UKAS 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, UKAS supports regulatory compliance, consumer protection, and industrial innovation. For more detailed information about UKAS’s initiatives and impact, please visit their official website.