IANZ

Meri Kirihimete from Team IANZ. We will be closed from 21 December 2024 and will reopen on 6 January 2025. We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a joyous New Year! If you have any questions during this period, please don't hesitate to reach out. While our team may not be immediately available, we will check our emails periodically at [email protected]. #teamianz #festiveseaon #accreditation

"Accreditation is only important for compliance.” Many organisations see accreditation as a necessary process only for ensuring regulatory compliance. While it’s true that accreditation can help organisations comply with laws and regulations, there are broader, long-term benefits that accreditation offers beyond just compliance. Accreditation can also: * Enhance reputation: Accreditation serves as an independent validation of an organisation’s commitment to meeting high standards. When a company achieves accreditation, it demonstrates to their customers and stakeholders that they adhere to industry best practices. * Improve internal processes: The process of obtaining and maintaining accreditation often leads businesses to assess their internal systems and processes which can lead to more streamlined operations and management. * Build customer trust: One of the advantages of accreditation is the trust it fosters with customers. When a customer buys a product or service from an accredited business, they have confidence that it meets specific safety and quality standards. * Gain new business opportunities: Accreditation can open doors to new business opportunities. Many potential clients require organisations to be accredited. Additionally, accreditation can help businesses expand into new markets. By viewing accreditation as a comprehensive tool for business growth and excellence, organisations can unlock a wide range of benefits that contribute to their long-term success. What other myths about accreditation can you think of?

IAF and International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) are excited to announce that the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, the new international organisation for accreditation being formed by IAF and ILAC, was registered in New Zealand on 6 December 2024. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eBtgU8EQ

Periodically, criteria, procedures and position statement documents are updated to reflect changes in standards and regulations across the various IANZ accreditation programmes. AS LAB C1.2 / C2.2 Supplementary Criteria - Drinking-water Testing Laboratories: This publication, setting out the criteria for laboratories to gain approval by the Water Service Authority – Tuamata Arowai and be listed their Public Register - Hinekōrako for the testing of dinking water supplies, has had significant review and up-date following the removal of Level 2 Recognition as an option for approval. There is minimal change for laboratories currently holding full accreditation under this programme. The up-dated document can be found on the Drinking Water Testing programme page on the IANZ website (https://lnkd.in/gJnXVfHQ ) Any queries regarding these changes should, in the first instance, be directed to your IANZ lead assessor, or alternatively your programme manager.

IANZ December Update Out Now! In this month's issue, we review the results from the 2024 edition of the biennial IANZ Customer Satisfaction survey and examine updates to our publications and the revision of ISO/IEC 17020:2012. We welcome a new team member and discuss the release of the IANZ Training Services training calendar for 2025. Finally, we celebrate the successes of Team IANZ in our employee ACT awards. With the holiday season upon us, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May this festive season bring joy, relaxation, and a well-deserved break. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to working with you in the year ahead. To read the full newsletter, visit https://lnkd.in/gHkCCT-f

As of now, the early stages (committee draft) of the revision are nearing completion in preparation for publishing the Draft International Standard (DIS). The working group is considering various concepts and potential changes to the standard. Each stage includes periods for review, comment, and approval, which can extend the timeline. Organisations involved in inspection activities are advised to stay informed about the revision's progress to prepare for any upcoming changes. Once the FDIS is published, IANZ will commence running one-day training courses on the new standard beginning mid-late 2025. Inspection bodies will then have a transition period of between 12 months and 3 years. Recent periods of transition have all been three years, so this is what we anticipate.  A word of caution – inspection bodies that do not complete their transition by the date that is set down cannot remain accredited. Rest assured – we will keep you posted on the progress and important dates!

We all deserve to feel confident that the food we put on our tables is safe to eat. Food safety isn’t just a concern for businesses - it’s something that directly impacts our health and well-being every day. At IANZ, we accredit the inspection bodies that go on-site to ensure that businesses working with food and beverages are meeting the right standards and requirements. Some of the activities that these inspection bodies conduct include: - Checking if farms are meeting food safety requirements - Seeing if the animals to be exported are healthy - Checking whether beverages sold are safe Behind every safe meal, there are standards working to protect your health. How much do you think about food safety when you eat?

"Accreditation is only for specific industries.” A common myth is that accreditation is only relevant for specific industries such as healthcare, or high-risk industries. In reality, accreditation can be applied to a wide range of industries. The organisations that IANZ accredit come from many sectors including but are not limited to: Medical Imaging Building Consent Water Testing Food Testing Fire Safety Gas Cylinder Testing Wool Testing Electrical Testing Engineering Safety Vehicle Inspection Asbestos Testing Accreditation is not just for a select few sectors - it’s for any organisation that wants to prove its commitment to high standards and deliver value to its stakeholders. What other myths about accreditation can you think of?

Currently, technical experts are paid $1250 + GST per day for Recognised Laboratory Programme (RLP) assessments. Technical expert fees for assessments in the Chemical, Biological, Drinking Water, Reference Material Producer, Proficiency Testing Provider and Wool Testing programmes do not have a flat rate and are dependent on the fee the technical expert charges.   From January 2025, IANZ will begin to pay all of its technical experts a flat fee of $1000 + GST per day for all assessments from the above-mentioned programmes, with the exception of RLP. RLP assessments will continue with the previously set fee of $1250 + GST per day. However, if a technical expert charges a higher fee for their participation in any assessment, this information will be passed on to the laboratory for approval before being accepted by IANZ.   Where a desktop assessment is to be undertaken in the above-mentioned programmes other than RLP, the technical expert fee will be a flat rate of $500 + GST. Please note that this fee might be increased dependent on the size of the desktop assessment. Please get in touch with IANZ if you have any queries.

Ready to expand your expertise in ISO standards and accreditation principles in 2025? IANZ Training Services is excited to release our training calendar for 2025, full of training opportunities to help deepen your skills across quality management and organisational best practice. With courses covering a range of topics including Technical Quality Management, Internal Auditing and supporting standards such as ISO 17025, ISO 17020 and ISO 15189, you’ll be sure to find something that supports you and your organisation’s training needs. Visit https://lnkd.in/gqYdXHiP to secure your spot now.