UKAS accreditation assurance

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognised by Government to assess - against internationally agreed standards - organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services.

Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of these evaluators. UKAS is a non-profit-distributing private company, limited by guarantee.

UKAS is licensed by BEIS to use and confer the national accreditation symbols - formerly national accreditation marks - which symbolise Government recognition of the accreditation process.

UKAS accreditation provides an assurance of the competence, impartiality and integrity of conformity assessment bodies. UKAS accredited certification, testing and calibration and inspection reduces the need for suppliers to be assessed by each of their customers.

UKAS' involvement in international groups provides for mutual recognition, which further reduces the need for multiple assessments of suppliers and - as a consequence - helps to reduce barriers to trade.