About Global ISAB MRA
How the Arrangement Works Signatories to the ISAB MRA are peer-evaluated Accreditation Bodies that operate in strict compliance with ISO/IEC 17011 (the international standard for accreditation bodies). Under the terms of the MRA, each signatory commits to:
1- Recognize the competence of all other signatory accreditation bodies within their scope.
2- Accept the results (reports, certificates, and declarations) issued by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) accredited by any MRA signatory as equally reliable to their own.
3- Maintain continuous compliance through mandatory, recurring international peer evaluations.
The "Accredited Once, Accepted Everywhere" Principle
Without an MRA, a manufacturer exporting goods to ten different countries might have to undergo ten separate tests or inspections to satisfy local regulatory laws. The ISAB MRA eliminates these technical barriers to trade. By establishing a unified global standard of competence, the MRA ensures that products, systems, and personnel certified by an ISAB-accredited body can cross borders seamlessly—saving time, reducing business costs, and fostering a truly integrated global marketplace.
Purpose of the ISAB MRA
Eliminating Technical Barriers to Trade While Safeguarding the Public
The primary purpose of the ISAB MRA is to establish an internationally harmonized framework where a conformity assessment result generated in one economy is accepted globally without the need for redundant re-testing or re-certification.
Core Objectives
Facilitating International Trade: By removing the requirement for duplicate testing at international borders, the MRA lowers costs for exporters and accelerates the entry of safe, high-quality products into global markets.
Supporting Government & Regulatory Policy: Regulators and border control authorities do not have to maintain expensive offshore assessment systems. They can rely on ISAB MRA-backed certificates to verify that imported foods, medical devices, building materials, and electronics comply with safety and environmental laws.
Protecting Public Health & Consumer Safety: Consumers are assured that products carrying an accredited certificate have been tested by competent laboratories and inspection bodies that adhere to rigorous international ISO/IEC standards.
Creating a Level Playing Field: The MRA ensures that organizations of all sizes—from local manufacturers to multinational enterprises—are judged against the same impartial, technical criteria anywhere in the world.
Who Benefits from the ISAB MRA?
For Governments & Regulators: Reliable market surveillance, reduced cost of enforcement, and enhanced protection of public safety and critical infrastructure.
For Businesses & Manufacturers: Reduced time-to-market, elimination of duplicate certification fees, and greater competitive advantage in export markets.
For Consumers: Peace of mind knowing that everyday products—from clean drinking water and pharmaceuticals to automotive safety systems—meet strict international
The ISAB MRA Mark
A Visual Guarantee of Competence, Integrity, and Global Recognition
The ISAB MRA Mark is a universally recognized symbol of trust. When displayed on a test report, calibration certificate, inspection document, or management system certificate, it signals to regulators, procurement officials, and consumers that the service was delivered by an organization whose competence is recognized worldwide.
What the Mark Signifies
When you see the ISAB MRA Mark on a document, it guarantees three things:
Technical Validity: The laboratory, inspection body, or certification body has been thoroughly audited against international ISO/IEC standards.
Impartiality: The testing or certification was conducted objectively, without commercial bias or conflict of interest.
International Acceptance: The document is covered by the Multilateral Recognition Arrangement and should be accepted by regulatory authorities and buyers in all signatory economies.
Who Can Use the ISAB MRA Mark?
MRA Signatory Accreditation Bodies: Official member boards that have successfully passed the ISAB peer-evaluation process.
Accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs): Testing laboratories, calibration facilities, inspection bodies, and certification bodies that have been granted explicit licensing to display the combined ISAB MRA Mark alongside their official accreditation number.
Protecting the Mark’s Integrity
To protect public trust, the ISAB MRA Mark is heavily regulated. It cannot be used by non-accredited organizations, nor can it be used on products or reports that fall outside the specific accredited scope of a CAB. Any misuse, forgery, or unauthorized display of the mark is subject to legal action and immediate termination of accreditation status.
Scope of the ISAB MRA
Comprehensive Coverage Across Global Quality Infrastructure
The Scope of the ISAB MRA defines the specific conformity assessment activities and normative international standards covered by the agreement. Signatory bodies can apply for recognition across one or more of these specialized domains:
1. Laboratory & Measurement Scopes
Testing Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025): Chemical, microbiological, mechanical, electrical, and physical testing of products and materials.
Calibration Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025): Metrological calibration of instruments to ensure unbroken traceability to the International System of Units (SI).
Medical Laboratories (ISO 15189): Diagnostic, clinical, and anatomical pathology testing in healthcare systems.
Proficiency Testing Providers (ISO/IEC 17043): Organizations that provide inter-laboratory comparisons to test and prove laboratory accuracy.
Reference Material Producers (ISO 17034): Producers of certified reference standards used for instrument calibration and research.
2. Inspection & Certification Scopes
Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020): Independent engineering, structural, industrial, and safety inspections across construction, manufacturing, and trade.
Management System Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC 17021-1): Certification of organizational systems, including Quality (ISO 9001), Environmental (ISO 14001), Information Security (ISO/IEC 27001), and Health & Safety (ISO 45001).
Product, Process, and Service Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC 17065): Verifying that specific physical products, agricultural goods, or consumer services meet statutory safety and performance standards.
Persons Certification Bodies (ISO/IEC 17024): Certifying the technical qualifications and ongoing competence of professional individuals (e.g., auditors, welders, medical practitioners).
3. Specialized & Emerging Scopes
Validation & Verification Bodies (ISO/IEC 17029): Independent verification of environmental claims, greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, carbon footprints, and sustainability declarations.
Biobanking Facilities (ISO 20387): Safeguarding the collection, storage, and distribution of human, animal, and plant biological materials for medical research and bioscience.
The ISAB MRA Peer-Evaluation Process
How Accreditation Bodies Become Signatories — A Rigorous Lifecycle of Trust
Public trust in the ISAB MRA is built upon a strict, transparent, and continuous Peer-Evaluation Process. Accreditation bodies do not automatically receive signatory status; they must prove their competence through an intense examination conducted by independent international experts.
Step 1: Application and Self-Declaration
An applicant Accreditation Body (AB) submits a detailed application demonstrating that it operates legally, independently, and in full compliance with ISO/IEC 17011. The applicant must submit complete operational documentation, quality manuals, assessor qualification records, and proof of active accreditation activities within its jurisdiction.
Step 2: The On-Site Peer Evaluation
An international team of qualified Peer Evaluators—selected from existing MRA Signatory bodies—conducts an extensive evaluation of the applicant. This includes:
Headquarters Audit: Reviewing governance, financial stability, impartiality policies, and internal management systems.
Staff & Assessor Interviews: Assessing the technical competence of the accreditation body's permanent staff and external assessors.
Witness Assessments: The peer evaluation team travels into the field to observe the applicant’s assessors live in action as they audit laboratories, inspection bodies, or certification bodies.
Step 3: Committee Review & MRA Decision
The peer evaluation team produces a comprehensive audit report detailing their findings. This report is reviewed by the independent ISAB MRA Council. If any non-conformities are identified, the applicant must implement strict, verified corrective actions. Only when the Council is 100% satisfied with the evidence is official MRA Signatory Status granted.
Step 4: Continuous Re-Evaluation (The 4-Year Cycle)
Signatory status is never permanent. To ensure ongoing equivalence and trust, every MRA Signatory must undergo a complete re-evaluation every four years. In addition, signatories must participate in continuous harmonization workshops, international voting, and proficiency programs to ensure that their technical standards remain aligned with global best practices.
