Since 2018, the Horizontal Harmonization Committee (HHC) has been working on improving the harmonization of accreditation-activities of EA members by undertaking a joint effort to revise several EA-documents for usage by EA members.

First, concerning the relations with and assessment of conformity assessment schemes. New developments occurred in the area of privately owned conformity assessment schemes (e.g., schemes becoming separate IAF- subscopes) have led HHC to start a revision of EA-1/22: EA Procedure and Criteria For the Evaluation of Conformity Assessment Schemes by EA Accreditation Body Members.

Then, regarding the harmonisation of accreditation practices for notification purposes. EA-2/17: EA Document on Accreditation for Notification Purposes was revised in order to make it clearer, more understandable, and easier to apply compared to the present version, and in order to improve the usage of the so called “preferred standard”, thus leading to a more level playing field in the different member states. More specifically, the special aspects of the construction products regulation (CPR) were to be reflected (e.g., CPR doesn’t determine the compliance of the performance, but its consistency, and it makes the usage of harmonized standards mandatory).

Finally, the HHC is currently working on a new publication on the implementation of a harmonized approach to the new version of ISO/IEC 17011 – Conformity assessment — Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. This document will help National Accreditation Bodies (NABs) to acquire a common approach on the management of risks and support them in the areas impacted by this evolution.