C3.4.6.1 What is Accreditation?
Accreditation by UKAS means that evaluators (such as testing and calibration laboratories, certification and inspection bodies) have been assessed against internationally recognised standards to demonstrate their competence, impartiality and performance capability.
It is the ability to distinguish between a proven, competent evaluator that ensures that the selection of a laboratory, certification or inspection body is an informed choice and not a gamble. UKAS accreditation means the evaluator can show to its customer that it has been successful at meeting the requirements of international accreditation standards.
This means that the customer reduces the risk of selecting an incompetent evaluator and paying for, or more seriously, acting upon invalid results.