The assessment of the CPP by the EA
In October 2013 a four-member EA Evaluation Group carried out the first re-evaluation of the COP after its accession to the EA MLA was approved (October 2011). In the context of the visit, the Organization's application for the extension of the MLA and for the accreditation of calibration laboratories was also evaluated. The outcome of the evaluation was undoubtedly highly successful.
- In April 2014, the extension of the scope of MLA in the field of accreditation of calibration laboratories according to ISO 17025 was signed.
- In May 2020, the extension of the scope of MLA in the field of accreditation of product certification bodies according to ISO 17065 was signed .
Accreditation is...
the process of recognition by an authorized body that an entity has the competence to carry out specified activities. In this way, the reliability of the service offered in each case is documented. The utilization of accreditation is particularly important in the case of laboratory control. In several cases the legislation introduces the need for adequate and reliable laboratory infrastructure. This is of interest both to those who must comply (producers, manufacturers, traders) and to the competent authorities who monitor the implementation of the legislation.
Accreditation assesses the technical adequacy of personnel and infrastructure to carry out activities defined in each case. The scope is described in a relevant certificate and may be only a small part of an organization's overall activities.
Why Accreditation is needed
In modern society, the understanding by the consumer of his rights and by the competent authorities of their obligations gives accreditation much more importance, making it a necessary tool in the context of the united European Market. The operation of accredited laboratories supports the free circulation of products, beyond national borders. The Cypriot manufacturer that distributes its products to the European area (and beyond it) can document its quality adequacy with the accompanying laboratory control certificate. This is accepted without additional laboratory control in the country of destination only if the laboratory that issued this certificate is accredited for the specific work.
The creation of the Cyprus Accreditation Body
For the creation and efficient operation of the Accreditation System, a special program for Accreditation has been implemented, with funding from the European Union. The program lasted six months (October 2003-March 2004) and included various actions (evaluator training programs and other educational activities, preparation of a framework for the Quality System, monitoring of evaluations of various agencies by DANAK in Denmark). The Quality System was then further developed, always based on the CYS EN ISO/IEC 17011 Standard
Cyprus in Europe!
In the European area there are specific requirements for Accreditation. The compliance of the national bodies with them allows the mutual recognition of the services offered. In August 2004, KPP applied for membership as a full member of EA (European co-operation for Accreditation). This application was unanimously accepted at the EA General Assembly in November 2004 (Zagreb), under the name CYS-CYSAB.
The developments in the European area
The inclusion of the Cypriot Accreditation Body in the EA creates access to Europeanization in this field. Of the main EA committees, it is necessary to participate, in the first phase, in four, specifically:
- EA-LC- Laboratory Committee
- EA-IC -Inspection Committee
- EA-CC -Certification Committee
- EA-HHC -Horizontal Harmonization Committee
- EA-MAC- Multilateral Agreement Committee
By participating in these committees, the planning for the provision of accreditation services is supported in the entire spectrum of activity of the Conformity Assessment Bodies. These bodies ( laboratories, control bodies, certification bodies) are expected to play an important role in the perspective of their operation as Notified Bodies in the context of the implementation of the New Approach Directives . The participation of the CPO in the process of Notification of Bodies is particularly important, as based on the respective legislative requirements of the competent authority as well as the corresponding European legislation, the CPO undertakes the technical evaluation of the Bodies that request notification in specific fields of activity. The COPP formulated the policy and issued the Directive for Certification and/or Inspection Bodies of Lift Installations in relation to their Notification and/or Accreditation. At the same time, the condition of laboratory accreditation is becoming more and more imperative, in areas that are directly related to health and safety (food, drugs, environmental measurements, clinical laboratories, dangerous substances, etc.)
Technical Committees
The Technical Committees of the KOPP are important bodies for the formulation of policy in various aspects of accreditation. The Technical Committees are made up of people who have knowledge and experience in special matters and are appointed as Members by the Organization's Board of Directors.
Cooperation with Cypriot Agencies
CYS-CYSAB cooperates with most scientific bodies in Cyprus. Special mention is made to the Cyprus Lab (Association of Laboratories) and the Cyprus Committee of Eurachem. Through this cooperation, the communication of these bodies with the corresponding European ones, in which they are active as full members ( EUROLAB and EURACHEM ) is utilized
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