EA conducted a newcomer training session in June 2026 for potential peer evaluators.
The training took place in Paris, hosted by the EA Secretariat, on 16-18 June, and brought together 21 participants representing 21 National Accreditation Bodies (NABs) from across Europe.
The training session was facilitated by accomplished trainers, including Leopoldo Cortez (IPAC, Portugal), Sergio Guzzi (ACCREDIA, Italy), both EA Team Leaders, and Daniela Ionescu (EA Secretariat), a former peer evaluator. The training aimed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of peer-evaluation processes, requirements, and their practical application. It also sought insights into the underlying processes supporting the EA peer evaluation system.
The primary objective of the training was to bolster the number of peer evaluators, a crucial obligation for each EA National Accreditation Body (NAB). This is particularly important as EA MLA signatories are required to provide peer evaluators to the peer-evaluation system.
For this year’s edition, trainers introduced a new tool to evaluate candidates: role-playing.
A few words from Ankica Barišić, manager of Peer evaluations and Evaluators:
Was there anything new about this year’s training?
This was the first newcomer training held following the revision of EA-2/02 EA Procedure for the evaluation of a National Accreditation Body in July 2025. Under the updated requirements, the training welcomed not only prospective peer evaluators but also NAB staff serving as quality managers or in other accreditation-related roles, provided they had relevant experience and responsibilities within the accreditation process.
What did the training focus on?
Over three intensive days, participants were introduced to the peer evaluation process and assessed on their knowledge and skills to confirm that they meet the competence criteria established in EA-2/02. The core of the training was the peer evaluation process described in EA-2/02 and its supplementary documents.
What technical topics were covered?
Participants received guidance on how evaluators assess compliance with the requirements of EN ISO/IEC 17011 – Conformity assessment — Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies and how findings identified during evaluations are reviewed and managed by peer evaluation teams. The training also included group work on specific topics, enabling in-depth discussions, practical learning and the exchange of experiences among participants.
What was the highlight of the training?
A key highlight was the newly introduced role-playing exercise. Through realistic assessment scenarios, participants had the opportunity to demonstrate and further develop the personal attributes and professional skills expected of peer evaluators. The exercise tested competencies such as open-mindedness, sound judgment, analytical thinking, decisiveness, diplomacy, cultural awareness, teamwork, and effective communication, while providing valuable hands-on experience in a peer evaluation environment.
After the session, the trainers assessed the participants’ performance and made recommendations for qualification as an EA evaluator based on:
- Demonstration of the participants’ understanding and awareness of the evaluation process and requirements.
- Displayed ability to work effectively as an evaluator, including qualities such as dedication, open-mindedness, teamwork, and communication skills, specifically emphasizing proficiency in English.
Welcome to the new EA evaluators!
To learn more about peer evaluations, click here.
