We are in a changing economy in a global environment, with a growing need for accreditation. In 2017, the European co-operation for Accreditation agreed on “EA Strategy 2025: from Good to Great”. The objective is to strengthen all interested parties’ confidence in accreditation and develop EA into a professional, efficient service provider serving the EA Members and stakeholders.

The strategy defines 3 roles for EA:

STRATEGIC

Develop accreditation and improve the offer of conformity assessment services in close cooperation with European regulators and interested parties

OPERATIONAL

Be the main forum for all parties for exchanging and sharing expertise so as to position EA as the technical reference to develop schemes underpinned by accreditation and meeting market needs

SUPPORTIVE

Make the necessary organization available, serving the Members in their daily accreditation business and development

EA Strategy 2025 : From Good to Great (2017)

Mission and Vision

EA’s Mission

EA Members commit to ensuring confidence in accredited conformity assessment results through the harmonized operation of accreditation activities in support of European and global economies.

It means that EA needs to:

  • Define and build consistency in accreditation in Europe with the common interpretation and application of the standards used by its Members;
  • Ensure transparency in the operations and results provided by its Members;
  • Maintain a multilateral agreement on mutual recognition between accreditation activities and reciprocal acceptance of accredited conformity assessment services;
  • Manage a peer-evaluation system consistent with international practices;
  • Act as a technical resource on matters related to implementation;
  • Cooperate with the European Commission and other European and international stakeholders;
  • Develop accreditation criteria and guidelines supporting harmonization.

EA’s Vision

EA Members share the vision that EA shall be a reference in the world for accreditation, enabling an open and global market for competitive business and providing reassurance to consumers in a sustainable society.

To achieve its vision, EA has defined three objectives:

  1. Good governance to deliver consistent and sustainable results.
  2. Close cooperation with regulators and stakeholders to strengthen accreditation at European and international level.
  3. Continue to develop accreditation to support innovation and growth in existing and new areas.

EA core values

EA Members commit to share the EA core values to support implementation of EA Strategy and enable EA as a membership organization to speak with “one voice” and reach the strategic objectives by 2025.

We are harmonized

  • Transparent in our rules and actions
  • Coordinated in word and deed
  • Accessible both internally and externally
  • Having and promoting a common understanding of National Accreditation Bodies (NAB) promise to the market and society

We are responsible

  • Involving and listening to regulators, industry and other stakeholders
  • Loyal and dedicated and work for the public interest
  • Proactive
  • Maintaining our integrity

We provide confidence

  • Establishing consistent deliverables
  • Open, impartial and independant
  • Non-discriminating
  • Praticting what we preach
  • Democratic

We are competent

  • Efficient and professional
  • Using our resources
  • Exercising leadership
  • Supporting development and innovation
  • Continuously improving

Peter Strömbäck, ex-CEO of SWEDAC, the Swedish NAB, came back on the EA Strategy during the 40th EA General Assembly, (Berlin / 22-23 November 2017) outlining the meaning of EA core values which form the basis to reach the EA desired position in 2025.