The terms accreditation and certification are often used interchangeably, but they represent different processes within the quality infrastructure framework.

Certification is the process by which an independent certification body confirms that an organization, product, person, or system meets specific requirements or standards. Examples include ISO 9001 certification and ISO 14001 certification.

Accreditation, on the other hand, is the formal recognition that a conformity assessment body is competent to perform specific activities such as testing, inspection, calibration, or certification.

In simple terms, accreditation evaluates the organizations that provide certification, testing, and inspection services, while certification evaluates organizations, products, or management systems.

Accreditation adds an additional layer of confidence because it verifies that certification bodies and laboratories are operating competently and impartially. This strengthens trust in the certificates and reports they issue.

Understanding the distinction between accreditation and certification helps organizations make informed decisions when selecting quality assurance and conformity assessment services.

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