The SAS

The Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) is part of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). As a government institution the SAS is based on the Ordinance on the Swiss Accreditation System and the Notification which came into force in 1991 and was last revised in 2005. According to this ordinance (status April 4, 2006), accreditation is granted by the Head of SAS after a thorough examination by the SAS and judgment by the Federal Accreditation Commission (AKKO). This commission, constituted by the Federal Council, consists of representatives of the Swiss economy, the federal and cantonal authorities, the research and gauge as well as obviously the accreditated bodies (laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies).

The sector committees are an important link between the SAS and the concerned circles. They consist of the experts of the branches as well as trade associations and develop together the technical criteria and requirements for accreditation.

The lead assessors of the SAS have an extensive technical background and many years of experience in industry. In addition, they are thoroughly trained in the field of Quality Management. This qualifies them for leading assessments in a competent manner.

Technical-scientific questions play an essential role in accreditation. Therefore, the SAS calls on external technical experts services, experts who have a thorough knowledge and great experience within the corresponding field. These experts get trained for their assessment task in regular basic courses and continuous education, organized by the SAS.

The Series EN 45000 Standards, which are identical with the ISO/IEC 17000 Standards as well as with the corresponding ISO Guides, serve as a basis for their work.

The SAS works according to the Standard ISO/IEC 17011. The implementation of this standard at SAS is regularly audited by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA). As a result of these evaluations, the SAS was able to sign the multilateral agreements of EA, International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

The Multilateral Agreements between the international organizations EA, IAF and ILAC for the mutual recognition of accreditation bodies, create the basis for the international recognition of assessment reports and conformity certificates.

The SAS represents actively the swiss interests within the EA, IAF and ILAC (see links on the right side).