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Tribune News Network
Doha
THE Public Works Authority 'Ashghal' has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) which recognises Ashghal as an international accreditation centre for ISO 17025 certification.
President of Ashghal Eng Saad bin Ahmed al Muhannadi signed the MoU with Paul Stennet, chief executive of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service.
Ashghal has also announced receiving recognition from the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), for providing technical support for international accreditation.
In line with the State of Qatar's reliance on local resources and providing a national alternative to achieve self-sufficiency, Ashghal's Quality and Safety Department had sought for recognition as an international accreditation centre for the ISO 17025 certification, in addition to getting the full recognition from ILAC.
ILAC accreditation to Ashghal's centre gives it the authority to accredit international laboratories in 13 different countries including, the UK, Italy, Malaysia, India, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Turkey and other Arab countries.
UKAS conducts a comprehensive assessment for the department's capabilities and compares it with the accreditation bodies' requirements. This procedure called Gab Analysis is carried out through a team of experts to prepare the overall plan for accreditation.
ISO 17025 certificate is granted to a limited number of entities, which must be ISO 17011 certified and fully recognised by ILAC. In addition, the accredited entity has to be already signing on the International Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) and the Multi-Lateral mutual recognition Agreement (MLA).
Ashghal's Centre for Research and development received ISO 17025 accreditation from the UKAS five years ago.
