United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

DIUS sponsors UKAS. It is the UK's National Accreditation Body (NAB). Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), UKAS is recognised as the sole UK organisation for the accreditation of certification, testing and inspection bodies to the EN 45000 and ISO 17000 series of standards. These bodies - the Conformity Assessment Bodies - in turn certify, test and inspect companies' systems and products. UKAS is licensed by DIUS to use and confer the national accreditation symbols (formerly national accreditation marks) which symbolise Government recognition of the accreditation process. Information on UKAS and accredited organisations is available from the UKAS website. UKAS accredited certification bodies and companies registered by UKAS accredited certification bodies are listed in the United Kingdom Register of Quality Assessed Companies published by the Stationery Office.

UKAS accreditation provides an assurance of the competence, impartiality and integrity of conformity assessment bodies. UKAS accredited certification, testing and calibration and inspection reduces the need for suppliers to be assessed by each of their customers. UKAS' involvement in international groups provides for mutual recognition which further reduces the need for multiple assessments of suppliers and as a consequence helps to reduce barriers to trade. DIUS therefore recommends the use of UKAS accredited conformity assessment services whenever this is an option.

UKAS also assesses potential Notified Bodies on behalf of DIUS and other Government Departments according to the principles established by DIUS.

A UKAS driven Accreditation Awareness Campaign was launched by Lord Sainsbury in 2000. A series of initiatives have been designed to help raise awareness of the benefits of UKAS accreditation for business, especially SMEs and other parts of Government. This campaign is continuing with DIUS support and further information can be found on the UKAS website.