EA held a remote MAC Refresher Training for Team Members authorized in Testing (EN ISO/IEC 17025), Medical Examinations (EN ISO 15189), and Proficiency Testing Providers (EN ISO/IEC 17043) from 27 to 28 November 2024.

The 26 participants from the 15 National Accreditation Bodies (NABs) participated in the training led by Nicole Meuree Vanlaethem (BELAC, the Belgium NAB), Tuija Sinervo (FINAS, the Finnish NAB), Ioannis Sitaras (ESYD, the Greek NAB) and Daniela Ionescu (EA Secretariat) under the auspices of the EA Multilateral Agreement Council (MAC).

The first part of the training covered general topics crucial for harmonizing evaluators’ work across all accreditation schemes. It included information on MAC activities and covered general topics from EN ISO/IEC 17011 Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies, including the risk-based assessment principles. Practical aspects of the peer evaluation process were also discussed, such as preparation of the peer evaluation including examples of risk-based planning, evaluation of the extension of the MLA scope, and of the transition of the accreditation standards, selection, and how to perform witnessing and file review, reporting and findings.

The training included a session dedicated to the group work on findings (writing, classification, closing, and appraisal) and reporting of the peer evaluation.

The last part of the training featured a breakout session dedicated to each scope, Testing, Medical Examinations, and Proficiency Testing Providers, where participants discussed and exchanged experiences on issues and requirements specific to the specific scopes.

The training identified the issues to be harmonized for the evaluation process across all scopes. The key points included the importance of investigating issues before raising findings, contribution to the evaluation report based on the evidence and the NAB response to the findings, evaluation of the root cause analysis, extend, impact, and corrective action plans.

Regular refresher training sessions are crucial for strengthening the EA MLA system, as they provide an opportunity to enhance the harmonization of evaluators’ work and perspectives on specific issues in the peer-evaluation process. Even though the training was held remotely, participants contributed to the intensive discussions expressing freely and sharing their experiences with their colleagues.

The time spent with the presentations, working in groups, and in the breakout sessions was very much welcome. Participants’ feedback showed that the refresher training fulfilled their expectations and there was a fruitful exchange of experience with the peer evaluators colleagues and trainers which is expected to improve their practical peer evaluation skills.

EA regularly organizes refresher training sessions for peer evaluators to improve their performance and harmonization of work. These sessions keep evaluators updated on new requirements, changes in peer-evaluation procedures, and areas for improvement, fostering the sharing of experiences among peers.