The European co-operation for Accreditation Communication Network (EA Communication Network – EA CN) held its fifth meeting online on 13–14 October 2026. The meeting brought together more than 30 representatives of Network members, who exchanged experiences and discussed current topics in communication and the promotion of accreditation over the two days.

The Accreditation Body of Montenegro (ATCG) was represented by Maja Pavićević, Adviser in the Service for Development and International Cooperation, who is also a member of the EA CN Creative Group.

The meeting covered the latest developments within EA, including topics from the General Assemblies, the EA Strategy 2030, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and the new editions of ISO/IEC 17020:2026 and ISO/IEC 17024:2026. Particular attention was given to communicating the EA MLA Mark, enhancing its visibility and helping the public understand its meaning.

The Italian accreditation body, ACCREDIA, also presented its study on the role of accredited certification in sustainable finance, illustrating how data can be used to communicate the importance and benefits of accreditation more clearly.

As part of the discussions on digital transformation, the Turkish accreditation body, TÜRKAK, shared its experience in developing the ASİST digital portal and using artificial intelligence to support assessment planning and communication with stakeholders. The associated risks and safeguards were also discussed, with emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence in supporting experts in their work.

The meeting also included a workshop on communication in the event of cyberattacks, during which participants exchanged experiences and explored communication challenges and potential pitfalls before, during and after an incident.

The discussions highlighted the importance of clear and timely communication in helping the public understand accreditation, alongside the new opportunities and challenges presented by the digital environment. The experiences shared and examples presented provided useful guidance for the future work of Network members, including ATCG, particularly in communicating the benefits of accreditation, using digital tools and managing crisis communication.