Accreditation

Accreditation is the independent evaluation (SAC evaluation) of conformity assessment bodies against recognized standards to carry out specific activities to ensure their impartiality and competence.

Conformity Assessment Activity

The legal activity of the conformity assessment body when evaluating.

Assessor

A qualified person entrusted by the Center with evaluating a conformity assessment body in a specific field requiring accreditation.

Technical Assessor

A qualified assessor, appointed by SAC, who has specific knowledge and technical proficiency concerning the scope of accreditation that needs to be assessed and does it independently.

Accreditation Process

A designed, consistent and objective process whereby an accreditation officer is assigned to each applicant to assist the applicant “conformity assessment body” through application submission to granting and maintaining accreditation according to the accreditation plan

Evaluation

A systematic, independent, documented process, carried out by the Center, to determine the competence of the conformity assessment body following international standards and/or reference documents according to the field of accreditation.

Grant Accreditation

Grant accreditation to the conformity assessment body in a specific field.

Extend Accreditation

Add conformity assessment activities to the accredited field.

Suspend Accreditation

Temporary discontinuation of body’s accreditation, if it fails to meet the accreditation requirements or comply with the accreditation requirements or voluntarily requests that all or part of its accreditation be suspended.

Accreditation Certificate

Accreditation status indicates a conformity assessment body is no longer accredited by SAC. This can result from a serious lack of compliance with the Standards, failure to follow accreditation regulations, or the body may voluntarily withdraw its accreditation.

Active

List of tests or processes that have been evaluated and accredited by the center and attached to the accreditation certificate.

Expired

Accreditation has been suspended at the body's request or based on SAC's decision.

SAC Mark

A mark granted by SAC to the approved conformity assessment bodies in a specific field.

Appeal

A request submitted by the conformity assessment body to reconsider any unfavorable accreditation decision related to the required accreditation status.

Conformity Bodies (CB)

Bodies approved by the Center to carry out conformity assessment, referred to as “Bodies”.

Certification Officer

A representative of SAC who is authorized to manage all conformity assessment bodies documents.

Evaluation Team Leader

A qualified assessor assigned by the center and given overall responsibility for assessment activities to a specific conformity assessment body.

Technical Expert

A person appointed by SAC, working under the supervision of an assessor who provides specific knowledge or experience concerning the scope of the accreditation that needs to be assessed and does not work independently.

Accreditation Activity

Specific activities for which conformity assessment bodies seek accreditation.

Accreditation decision

SAC takes accreditation decisions (granting, maintaining, expanding, reducing, suspending, and withdrawing) based on the compliance of the conformity assessment bodies with the international standard and other mandatory documents.

Maintain Accreditation

Confirm that the conformity assessment body still maintains its accreditation in its approved field.

Reduce Accreditation

Cancellation of part of the accreditation scope if the conformity assessment body fails to meet the accreditation requirements, follow the accreditation rules, or voluntarily requests to reduce accreditation.

Withdrawn Accreditation

including removal of the Organization from SAC website pending resolution of issue.

Accreditation Field

An official document issued to the conformity assessment body in a specific field.

Suspended

The accreditation is valid.

Cancelled

Accreditation has expired and in this case it is considered withdrawn.

Neutrality / Objectiveness

When there is no conflict of interest or that these interests are resolved so that they do not negatively affect the activities of SAC.

Advisory Committee

A group of people, usually volunteers, whether from or outside SAC, who meet to recommend policies and procedures for accreditation activities.