Accreditation Body of Montenegro Maintains EA MLA Signatory Status
Following the successful completion of the peer re-evaluation process conducted by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA), the Accreditation Body of Montenegro (ATCG) has maintained its signatory status to the EA Multilateral Agreement (EA MLA) in the following fields:
Testing according to MEST EN ISO/IEC 17025;
Medical examinations according to MEST EN ISO 15189;
Calibration according to MEST EN ISO/IEC 17025;
Inspection according to MEST EN ISO/IEC 17020; and
Product certification according to MEST EN ISO/IEC 17065.
Maintaining this status represents significant international recognition and confirms that the national accreditation system operated by ATCG continues to meet the requirements of the relevant international standards and European rules. It also confirms ATCG’s competence, independence and impartiality in performing its duties as the national accreditation body.
The EA MLA is based on peer evaluations of national accreditation bodies, through which its signatories recognise the equivalence of accreditation systems and the reliability of accredited conformity assessment results. This status strengthens confidence in the reports and certificates issued, within the fields covered by the Agreement, by laboratories, inspection bodies and product certification bodies accredited by ATCG, and facilitates their acceptance in countries covered by the EA MLA. It thereby helps reduce the need to repeat conformity assessment procedures, remove technical barriers to trade and enhance the competitiveness of Montenegro’s economy.
This achievement is particularly significant for Montenegro’s accession to the European Union and the fulfilment of its obligations under Negotiating Chapter 1 – Free Movement of Goods. An equivalent and internationally recognised national accreditation system is an important component of the quality infrastructure that supports the application of European rules and the free movement of goods.
Maintaining EA MLA signatory status confirms the value of the work undertaken to date and provides a basis for further improvement of the national accreditation system. ATCG will continue to strengthen its technical capacity and contribute to the development of the national quality infrastructure, confidence in the results of accredited bodies and the fulfilment of Montenegro’s obligations in the European integration process.
