What changed
One cooperation instead of two.
The IAF historically coordinated accreditation for certification bodies, and ILAC for laboratories and inspection. From 1 January 2026 both operate as GLOBAC, with the public rebrand rolling out from April 2026. The multilateral arrangements continue; the names on them change.
What did not change
- Existing accreditations and certificates remain valid under the successor arrangements.
- The international standards (ISO/IEC 17011, 17020 to 17065) are unchanged.
- Independent accreditation bodies such as ASC remain independent; the merger neither includes nor excludes them.
Why it matters to buyers
Read tender language carefully.
Specifications written before 2026 reference IAF or ILAC by name; newer ones reference GLOBAC; many reference no cooperation at all. During this transition, the only reliable approach is to ask the issuing authority in writing which accreditations it accepts. A silent specification is not automatic acceptance of any accreditation, recognized or independent.
ASC publishes its own status without spin: independent of IAF, ILAC, and GLOBAC, operating in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011:2017. Read the full statement.
FAQ
The transition in plain terms.
What is GLOBAC?
GLOBAC is the global accreditation cooperation formed by the merger of the IAF (International Accreditation Forum) and ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation), operational from 1 January 2026, with the rebrand rolling out from April 2026.
Does the merger change whether my certificate is valid?
No. Certificates and accreditations issued under IAF or ILAC arrangements carry over into GLOBAC. What changes is terminology: tender and specification language written for 'IAF MLA' or 'ILAC MRA' is being rewritten to reference GLOBAC.
What does the transition mean for tender language?
During the transition, many tenders still reference IAF or ILAC by their old names, and some reference no cooperation at all. If a requirement matters to you, ask the issuing authority in writing which accreditations it accepts. That advice applies whether you hold recognized or independent accreditation.
Where does ASC stand?
ASC is independent of IAF, ILAC, and GLOBAC, before and after the merger, and states this on every page. Nothing about the merger changes ASC's status or claims.