News

During the last week, a two-day training in the field of accreditation of certification bodies for the certification of products in the field of organic production was held on the premises of ATS. The training was primarily related to the new regulation EU 848/2018 and accompanying acts. The training was given by colleagues Vera Apostolović, a graduate in agricultural engineering, and Olga Kešelj Milovanović, a graduate in agricultural engineering, employees of ATS. Among those present were colleagues from the Accreditation Body of Montenegro.

You can view it in detail HERE

During this week, ATS representatives participated in a two-day training organized by TAIEX TRATOLOW in the pleasant surroundings of the Central Point Hotel in Belgrade. The lecturers were experts from the EU: Lucy Candlin (TRATOLOW), Zdenko Franić (HAA), and Monique Voogt (TRATOLOW).

The training was related to verifying and accreditation verifiers of reports on greenhouse gas emissions.

The goal of this training was to support representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Serbia; The Environmental Protection Agency of Serbia and the Accreditation Body of Serbia in implementing the European Union Emissions Trading System (ETS). The training provided practical insight into conducting ETS accreditation and understanding the specific requirements of ETS verifiers. Also, the goal is to provide ATS with the necessary professional knowledge to decide which documents will form the basis for their evaluation by ETS verifiers and shape the accreditation process in Serbia.

You can view it in detail HERE

Fifty-five participants attended two Train-the-Trainer sessions organized by the EA Laboratory Committee on Accreditation of Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) against ISO/IEC 17043:2023 on February 13th and 15th in Brussels, Belgium.

The training session has been organized to address the revision of ISO/IEC 17043 (published in May 2023) and to understand the changes introduced in the standard, 55 participants were present. The revision was necessary primarily to align the standard with the new structure of ISO 17000 series standards, with requirements divided into the following main topics: General, Structural, and Resource Requirements; Process Requirements; and Management System Requirements. Additionally, some changes have been included in a few requirements. 

You can view it in detail HERE

The European Commission has adopted the implementing regulation concerning the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme on Common Criteria (EUCC). It is the first approved scheme under Regulation (EU) 2019/881 (Cybersecurity Act).

This regulation specifies the roles, rules, obligations, and structure of the European Common Criteria-based cybersecurity certification scheme by the European cybersecurity certification framework outlined in the Cybersecurity Act.

The implementing regulation refers to documents known as State-of-the-Art (SoA). There will be – among other things – three SoA documents regarding:

•  Accreditation of ITSEFs (Information Technology Security Evaluation Facility),
•  Accreditation of Certification Bodies (CBs), and
•  Authorisation of CBs and ITSEFs.

You can view it in detail HERE

 

Having in mind the amendments to the Rulebook on non-automatic scales ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 29/2018 and 90/2023 - other regulations) and the adoption of the Rulebook on the certification of non-automatic scales ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 90/2023 ) which in the meantime ceased to be valid when the Rulebook on Certification of Non-Automatic Scales entered into force on  11.11.2023 ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 99/2023), ATS informs you of the following: HERE

Having in mind the adoption of the Rulebook on the certification of taximeters ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 86/2023), the Rulebook on the certification of materialized length measures-general purpose length measures ("Official Gazette of the RS", No. 86/2023) and the Rulebook on the certification of length gauges - machines for measuring the length of wire and cable and machines for continuous measurement of equal lengths of wire and cable ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 63/2023), we inform you about the following: HERE

Having in mind the adoption of the following regulations:

• Rulebook on certification of water meters intended for use in households, business premises, and light industry ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 90/2023);
• Rulebook on certification of gauges and measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of quantities of liquids other than water-fuel dispensers ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 96/2023) - Rulebook on certification of gauges and measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of quantity liquids other than water - AdBlue dispensers;
• Rulebook on certification of automatic dosing scales ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 115/2023);
• Rulebook on certification of gas meters with bellows ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 4/2024);
• Rulebook on certification of gauges and measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of the amount of liquids other than water installed on a vehicle and on a vehicle with a tank ("Official Gazette of RS, No. 5/2024");
• Rulebook on the certification of gauges and measuring systems for continuous and dynamic measurement of the amount of liquids other than water - devices for dispensing liquefied petroleum gas ("Official Gazette of RS, No. 5/2024"),

we inform you about the following: HERE

All of the above rules apply from 01.01.2025.

IAF and ILAC have released a new episode of their podcast, Accreditation Matters, which features discussions with international experts on important matters to the international quality infrastructure community and the way that accreditation supports industry, regulators, global trade, consumers, and the drive towards sustainability.

‘The Role of Accreditation in the Food Sector’ is the first episode of a mini-series that will examine the importance of accreditation and accredited conformity assessment in the food industry. The sub-series will highlight topics such as the role of accreditation in ensuring food safety, supporting sustainability, and confirming regulatory compliance. 

You can view it in detail HERE

During yesterday's day, representatives of ATS (the Accreditation Body of Serbia) conducted an online informative seminar dedicated to medical laboratories with a special focus on the most important changes introduced by the new edition of the standard SRPS EN ISO 15189:2023.

On this occasion, the representatives of medical laboratories accredited according to the standard SRPS EN ISO 15189:2014 and laboratories conducting examinations of human samples, accredited according to the standard SRPS ISO/IEC 17025:2017, were presented with the requirements of the new edition of the standard SRPS EN ISO 15189:2023.

You can view it in detail HERE

Yesterday at the premises of the Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS), the training focused on the requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories.

The training was conducted by colleagues from ATS, including Ljiljana Markićević, Assistant Director for Development and Quality, and Jelena Stojanović, Head of the Laboratory Accreditation Department, who are lead assessors for medical laboratories. The new edition of the standard was introduced to lead and technical assessors, technical experts for medical laboratories, accreditation decision-makers, and ATS employees.

You can view it in detail HERE

European co-operation for accreditation (EA), published on its site the revised document EA-INF/01:2023, List of EA publications and international documents, valid from 22nd January, 2024.

This publication provides a list of EA documents used on a mandatory or informative basis, according to the classification given in EA-1/14 “Procedure for Development and Approval of EA Documents and the Adoption of ILAC/IAF Documents”. It also contains a list of international documents approved by the EA as applicable EA documents.

The publication can be downloaded HERE

The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has released a bulletin this month, IAF Outlook, highlighting the outcomes of the 37th General Assembly of IAF held from November 13th to 15th, 2023, in Montreal, Canada.

The bulletin also covers the theme and goals of World Accreditation Day 2024, focusing on how accreditation can shape our future and support the transition to a green and digital economy.

This bulletin includes articles from IAF Regional Accreditation Groups and accreditation bodies, as well as contributions from stakeholders and partners of IAF.

You can view it in detail HERE

IAF and ILAC have launched a poster contest to develop the official poster for World Accreditation Day (WAD) 2024! All interested parties are welcome to explore our theme of Accreditation: Empowering Tomorrow and Shaping the Future, with a chance of winning the first-place prize of 1,500 USD or the second- or third-place prize of 500 USD.

This year’s WAD theme will highlight accreditation's role in shaping various aspects of life, from technology to transportation, sustainability to security, and inclusivity to innovation, as digitalization, new technologies, and growing sustainability concerns continue to change our world. 

IAF and ILAC will explore how accreditation enables the development of innovative technologies, and how it can facilitate the integration and adoption of these technologies, particularly in industries and supply chains where precision, safety and quality are critical. We will examine the important role of accreditation in promoting trust in digital technologies, including by supporting cybersecurity and privacy.

You can view it in detail HERE

EA conducted a training session in December 2023 for potential evaluators. 

The training took place in Paris, hosted by the EA Secretariat from December 12 to 14. Newcomer Training sessions serve as a crucial initiative to cultivate the necessary skills among potential evaluators.

Facilitated by accomplished trainers, including Maria Papatzikou, Chair of the Multilateral Agreement Council (ESYD, Greece), Sergio Guzzi, Laboratory Committee Chair (ACCREDIA, Italy), Nicole Meuree Vanlaethem, Team Leader (BELAC, Belgium), and Ankica Barisic, Manager of Peer Evaluations & Evaluators (EA Secretariat), the training aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of peer-evaluation processes, requirements, and their practical application. It also sought insights into the underlying processes supporting the EA peer evaluation system.

You can view it in HERE

We congratulate all associates, partners, and friends on joint successes this year.

We thank you for your trust, support, and expertise in overcoming all challenges.

We are proud of the achieved results, shared joy, and team spirit with which we continue towards new achievements.

ATS employees wish you a happy New Year and Christmas holidays!

A new issue of the Application for Accreditation was published on 25th December 2023. You can download it HERE

In the pleasant atmosphere of the National Bank of Serbia auditorium, on December 21, 2023, we presented over 100 certificates to our accredited bodies that obtained/renewed accreditation from June to December of this year.

Representatives of the accredited bodies were greeted with commendations for their effort and work, confirming competence in their respective fields. Mr. Dragan Pusara, the Director of the Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS), welcomed all guests and provided a brief overview of the activities that marked this year, discussing the plans of our institution.

You can view it in detail HERE

The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) has announced on its website that the signatory status of the Accreditation Body of Serbia (ATS) under the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) agreement has been expanded to include the accreditation of proficiency testing providers (ISO/IEC 17043).

You can view the status of all ILAC MRA signatories HERE  

It is worth noting that ATS has also signed the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) Multilateral Agreement (MLA) in this field, as we previously reported HERE

During the past week, the Accreditation Body of Montenegro (ATCG) organized a ceremony to mark the achievement of the signatory status of the Multilateral Agreement Council (EA MLA) at the Hilton Hotel in Podgorica. Representatives of ATS had the honor to attend this exceptional event alongside numerous dignitaries from the world of accreditation and quality infrastructure.

The EA MLA Agreement is an official recognition that the accreditation system in Montenegro is equivalent to the accreditation systems established in European Union member countries.

"This agreement is not just a formality. It represents a strong link between our accreditation bodies and all accreditation bodies signatories to this agreement, confirming our commitment to a common goal - improving the quality and safety of products and services. The implementation of standards may seem insignificant in our daily lives at first. Still, it has an impact on the safety of the facilities we live and work in, the healthcare we receive, the quality of the air we breathe, and the production of food, textiles, and electronic devices, in short, practically all products, processes, and services we receive," stated Mr. Dragan Pusara, the director of the Accreditation Body of Serbia, addressing all attendees on behalf of the directors of accreditation bodies in the region.

You can view it in detail HERE

International Organization for Standardization (ISO), recently published a new issue of the standard ISO 14068-1:2023 Climate Change Management, transition to net zero, Part 1: Carbon neutrality.

This document specifies principles, requirements, and guidance for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality through quantifying, reducing, and offsetting the carbon footprint.

This document defines terms used about carbon neutrality and guides the actions necessary to achieve and demonstrate carbon neutrality. By common practice, it uses the word “carbon” to refer to all greenhouse gases (GHGs) in compound expressions such as “carbon neutrality”.

You can view it in detail HERE

The 54th European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) General Assembly (GA) on 22nd and 23rd November 2023 took place in Dublin, Ireland.

The General Assembly gathered around 84 participants from 41 National Accreditation Bodies (NABs), 8 Recognized Stakeholders, and the EA Advisory Board, there were also representatives of ATS who attended the adoption of numerous resolutions, C level meetings as well as the presentation of the new communication plan.

Here are some of the highlights from this assembly:

EA Communication Network

EA Members approved the terms of Reference for the EA Communications Network. The Communication Network will be a place for communications professionals to share experiences and good practices, learn new tools, and submit to peers any questions related to communications and marketing.
All EA Members and recognized Stakeholders are welcome to participate in the new Communication Network.

You can view it in detail HERE

This week, the ILAC and IAF General Assembly was held in Montreal, Canada. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the founding of IAF. It involved discussions about the merger of these two organizations into a single international entity that would cover all fields of accreditation. In addition to adopting numerous resolutions, representatives from EA, including ATS, deliberated on the organization's structure, the roles and positions of stakeholders, and the advantages and potential drawbacks of such a unified organization.

Final adjustments are still pending, and in 2024, the world will witness the establishment of a new accreditation organization named GLOBAC. 

For more information on the IAF anniversary, you can read it HERE.

Over the past three decades, IAF has worked diligently to facilitate trade, enable sustainable development, protect consumers and the environment, and support industry, government, and regulators. This year IAF celebrates its 30th anniversary, reflecting on the achievements, leadership, members, and committees that have shaped IAF into the organization it is today.

IAF was established with a mission: to support the harmonization of accreditation requirements, programs, and procedures worldwide; establish multilateral recognition arrangements (MLAs) among members to confirm the consistent application of those requirements; support emerging accreditation bodies; and promote its MLAs globally. These efforts led to a significant increase in the worldwide acceptance of accredited conformity assessment. Over the years, IAF has maintained these key objectives as it evolved, establishing new committees as required, expanding the MLA scopes and sub-scopes to additional public and private sector schemes, developing strong connections with partner and other international organizations and stakeholders, and launching IAF CertSearch.

You can view it in detail HERE