The Technical Management Board1 (TMB) held its 25th meeting on 16-17 February 2026 in Paris.
Several important items were on the agenda:
- Accreditation to draft standards;
- Inclusion of references/claims to the scope of certification which are not subject of the applicable certification scheme;
- Approval of reports regarding the evaluation of certification schemes under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III (RED III);
- Management of FAQs published on EA’s website;
- Harmonization of accreditation scopes – implementation of EA Resolution 2024 (56) 05;
- Accreditation of simulation tests under EN ISO/IEC 17025;
- Cooperation with the European Commission.
Regarding the first two items, the TMB approved the following resolutions:
Accreditation to draft standards
TMB Resolution 2026 (25) 01
The Technical Management Board, acting upon recommendation from the Technical Committees, approves that accreditation according to Level 3, 4 and 5 standards can only be delivered against a standard that has completed the formal approval process and that has been published; as a consequence it is not allowed to make reference to a draft standard in the NAB’s accreditation scope (whether it is published or not, like DIS2 or FDIS3).
For level 5 standards, a draft standard might be referenced in the scope of accreditation only as a CAB’s developed and validated method/procedure.
Inclusion of references / claims to the scope of certification which are not subject of the applicable certification scheme
TMB Resolution 2026 (25) 02
The Technical Management Board, acting upon recommendation from the Certification Committee, approves the following:
The description of the scope of certification according to EN ISO/IEC 17065 paragraph 3.10 in the certification documentation pursuant to EN ISO/IEC 17065 paragraph 7.7.1 d, shall be relevant and consistent with the certification scheme’s requirements against the evaluation activities have been applied and certification has been granted. The inclusion of references / claims to the scope of certification which are not subject of the applicable certification scheme and therefore not covered by the certification bodies’ evaluation activities shall not be possible.
From 17-2-2026, any new certificates issued by CABs shall comply with this resolution.
Prior to 17-2-2029, CABs shall have amended any certificates that require adaptation.
Note 1: This means for instance that it is not allowed to include a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and/or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) claim in a food safety process certificate (if the PDO/PGI requirements are not included as assessment subjects in the certification scheme).
You will find soon the new TMB Resolutions in EA-INF/17 Register of EA resolutions for use by EA, National Accreditation Bodies and EA evaluators, which is available on EA’s website.
Note:
You find more information on level 3, 4 and 5 standards in EA-1/06 EA Multilateral Agreement. Criteria for signing. Policy and procedures for development.
1 Find out more about the TMB’s role
2 DIS: Draft International Standard
3 FDIS: Final Draft International Standard
The EA MLA Mark is not an ordinary mark. It is a collective European & international mark that reflects a shared commitment by all NABs signatories to the EA MLA to competence, transparency, harmonisation, and the specific role and value of the European Accreditation system.
The EA MLA Mark is not an ordinary mark. It is a collective European & international mark that reflects a shared commitment by all NABs signatories to the EA MLA to competence, transparency, harmonisation, and the specific role and value of the European Accreditation system.
