Accreditation is a transparent and efficient process, the positive effects of which filter through to all operators in the socio-economic system.
For institutions and public authorities , from government ministries to controlling authorities, from local bodies to public ones, accreditation is a means of regulation which supports the activities of the competent bodies in controlling operators on the market, verifying their conformity to national and European standards, in conjunction with or in substitution of government authorities. Accreditation is non-profit-distributing, free of the mechanisms of competitiveness so as to be able to guarantee independence and impartiality, under the surveillance of the state with which it operates in full collaboration. It enables the reduction of bureaucracy in those sectors where it verifies the application of recognised international standards, thereby reducing or eliminating entirely the need for legislation at national level.
Accreditation enables businesses to make a greater impact on the market: possession of an accredited conformity evaluation provides a significant competitive advantage , carrying legislative compliance in some sectors, strengthening market credibility across the board and facilitating entry into foreign markets without the obstacles of additional controls. Possession of an accreditation certification is a process which involves all the functions of an organisation, also in terms of commitment and knowledge, so that the entire structure emerges stronger in terms of both productivity drive and the management of internal and external risks .
For the consumer , accreditation is invisible (?), yet it brings with it real advantages, being the basis of the conformity assessment system, independent of third parties. Choosing a certified product or service means being sure that the supplier has fulfilled a series of obligations and has used all possible resources to place on the market a product which is indeed everything it claims to be. This is of particular importance regarding the quality of goods and services and even more so when they impact directly on health and safety . The consumer will choose and have trust in the product which has stringent requirements in matters concerning environmental protection, healthcare in the workplace or food safety.