How to Obtain NAAS Accreditation: Steps and Requirements
Accreditation by the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU) is an official process that confirms an organization’s competence in conformity assessment, testing, certification, or inspection. It is essential for organizations operating in various industries as it ensures compliance with international standards and Ukrainian legislation.
Who Can Obtain NAAS Accreditation?
The following organizations are eligible for accreditation:
- Certification bodies for products, services, and management systems.
- Testing, calibration, and medical laboratories.
- Inspection bodies.
- Proficiency testing providers.
Accreditation requirements are defined by international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17065, ISO/IEC 17021, and others.
Steps to Obtain NAAS Accreditation
The accreditation process consists of several mandatory steps:
1. Preliminary Preparation
Before submitting an application, an organization must:
- Determine which standard applies to its operations.
- Develop a management system in accordance with the relevant standard.
- Conduct an internal audit and compliance assessment.
- Address any potential non-conformities.
Proper preparation is critical, as a well-implemented management system significantly increases the chances of successful accreditation.
2. Submitting an Application to NAAS
An application is submitted to NAAS along with a package of documents, which includes:
- General information about the organization (charter, registration documents, business license).
- Quality management policies and procedures.
- A list of testing or certification methodologies used.
- Information on personnel qualifications and experience.
- Details of technical infrastructure, equipment, and calibration records.
NAAS conducts a preliminary review of the submitted documents to assess their completeness and compliance with requirements.
3. Document Analysis
At this stage, NAAS experts conduct a detailed review of the submitted documents, verifying:
- Whether the organization’s processes comply with the required standard.
- Whether methodologies and procedures are properly documented.
- Whether personnel have the necessary qualifications and expertise.
If discrepancies are found, the organization receives comments and recommendations for corrective actions.
4. On-Site Assessment (Audit)
If the documents meet the requirements, NAAS schedules an on-site audit. During this assessment, the following aspects are examined:
- The actual implementation of declared processes.
- Compliance with quality management requirements.
- The effectiveness of the management system.
- Personnel competence and their understanding of standards.
- Compliance of equipment and testing methods with established requirements.
During the audit, non-conformities may be identified, which must be addressed within a specified timeframe.
5. Correcting Non-Conformities
If any deficiencies are identified during the audit, the organization is given time to correct them. After corrective actions are implemented, NAAS verifies their completion and compliance.
6. Decision on Accreditation
Once all assessments are completed and all non-conformities are addressed, NAAS makes a final decision on granting accreditation. If all requirements are met, the organization receives an accreditation certificate, confirming its compliance with the established standards.
If the organization fails to meet the requirements, accreditation may be denied, or it may be required to undergo a re-evaluation process.
Post-Accreditation Monitoring
Receiving a certificate is not the final step—organizations must continuously maintain compliance with accreditation requirements. To ensure this, NAAS conducts:
- Regular surveillance audits to confirm continued compliance with standards.
- Assessments of updated methodologies and documentation in line with regulatory changes.
- Evaluations of personnel competency and training updates.
Accredited organizations must continuously improve their management systems to meet high-quality standards.
Obtaining NAAS accreditation is a complex but essential process for organizations in the fields of conformity assessment, certification, and laboratory testing. Proper preparation, compliance with all requirements, and an effective management system enable organizations to achieve accreditation successfully and operate confidently in both Ukrainian and international markets.