Statement on BREXIT

20 February 2019

As you are aware, the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union on the 29^th March 2019.

NQA recognises that the process leading up to the exit of the UK from the EU continues to create uncertainty. As a result we have received questions from clients in relation to the validity of UKAS Accredited certification after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union.

At this time it is not fully known what the outcome of the negotiation process with the European Union will entail.

The provision of accredited management system certification to standards published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is, in general, not tied to European Union regulation.

UKAS accredited management system certification (such as that issued by NQA), is recognised globally under the International Accreditation Forum, Multi-Lateral Agreement (IAF MLA). Signatories to the IAF MLA are required to recognise the certificates issued by conformity assessment bodies (such as NQA), accredited by all other signatories of the IAF MLA (such as UKAS), with the appropriate scope.

Key Points to Note

ISO certification issued by NQA, under our UKAS accreditation, will remain valid after Brexit
NQA is not a notified body and does not provide CE marking services

Further Information

UKAS continues to work closely with the UK Government on this matter and has released information related to its position on Brexit. This information can be found at the following link:

https://www.ukas.com/customer-area/ukas-and-brexit/

For more information on the IAF MLA please visit: https://www.iaf.nu//articles/IAF_MLA/14