What is accreditation ?
Issued in France by Cofrac, accreditation is both the cornerstone and the first link in the chain of confidence.
When undergoing health checks, or when we consume a product or a service, we want to be sure of the competence of the bodies responsible for inspection. A Cofrac accreditation recognises and certifies the competences and impartiality of the inspection bodies, nationally and even internationally.
What are the benefits of accreditation ?
What guarantees of international recognition ?
Why is accreditation mandatory in certain sectors ?
In France, Cofrac is the only national body designated and recognised by the State for issuing accreditations. This activity is therefore a matter of public authority. Each accreditation has a specific scope, i.e.: a clearly-defined perimeter according to the sector and/or normative environment of the candidate body. In contrast to certifications or approvals, accreditation is comparable to an audit process, which takes place as a second level of inspection. Accreditation is therefore right at the top of the confidence pyramid.