About IANZ

Formal title
International Accreditation New Zealand

Acronym
IANZ

Official Status

• IANZ is the accreditation body of the Testing Laboratory Registration Council, an autonomous Crown entity established by the Testing Laboratory Registration Council Act, 1972

• IANZ is a full member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the regional body, Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC); and a signatory to the ILAC and APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements.

Operating Standards
To operate as an accreditation authority, IANZ complies with ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity Assessment Bodies standard. In addition, it meets the requirements of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and of the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA). Every four years IANZ is evaluated by representatives of APLAC and EA to ensure continuing compliance with the standard and requirements. The most recent evaluations occurred in 2007.

International Role
IANZ is active in the global and regional networks of accreditation authorities. It plays a major role at all levels to improve mutual recognition and procedures for accreditation in support of New Zealand trade. It was a foundation member of the International Laboratory Testing Cooperation (ILAC) in 1977, and of the regional group, Asia Pacific Laboratory Testing Cooperation (APLAC), in 1992.

See Accreditation Worldwide for details of the international cooperation arrangement.

A major IANZ activity is work on the harmonisation and mutual recognition of conformity assessment procedures. Senior IANZ staff represent New Zealand on various international committees, which review and develop standards and conformity assessment procedures. These include ISO Technical Committees and the various technical, development and management committees of ILAC and APLAC.

Read more about Conformity Assessment pdf

Recognised internationally
Reports from IANZ accredited laboratories and inspection bodies are recognised throughout the world by regulators in countries where accreditation authorities are signatories to the ILAC or APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA). There are 68 accreditation authorities in 53 economies currently participating in the Arrangement. The Arrangement ensures that test, calibration and/or inspection reports from IANZ accredited organisations meet the required international standards and avoids the need for expensive re-testing and re-certification. In turn, accredited reports from these other countries are recognised in New Zealand.

Protecting and enhancing New Zealand trade
IANZ works closely with government agencies in the development of international trading opportunities for New Zealand exporters. Input on technical aspects of policy and standards are provided to assist Government with international trade development.

Management Team