IAB and ANAB - Differences between these accreditation schemes?

[potdar]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vianna

Exactly what we needed: an accreditation body that does not know the meaning of TRANSPARENCY. That would violate ISO/IEC Guide 61, but obviously IAB is not bound to follow Guide 61.

I am no supporter of IAB, but lets not accuse them of not being transperant. They proudly claim that they are independant. That they do not subscribe to IAF. Obviously, IAF interpretations of the guides will not be binding on them.

It is an open economy. So far they are surviving with the support of some clients, who believe in them. Without annexing false IAF recognitions. Or may be, they are thriving. I dont know. Let them. If the market drives them out, it will.

So far as my personal choice goes, I wont touch them with a long pole. And I will advise the same thing to my friends / clients. Thats my contribution to the market forces.

But I wouldnt be a party to any witch hunt against them.

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by potdar

I am no supporter of IAB, but lets not accuse them of not being transperant. They proudly claim that they are independant. That they do not subscribe to IAF. Obviously, IAF interpretations of the guides will not be binding on them.

There is nothing wrong with declaring that they are independent. That is "free market." However, if they are not bound by any regulating documents (IAF or otherwise), then where is the control to eliminate some possibility of ethics or protecting their clients?

I don't support the IAB either, but you are right when you said that the market will most likely weed them out.

I pose this question: If they are independent then why would they not show who the CB's are within their structure or regulating guides? IAB website does not provide enough information, in my opinion, to make a "smart" business decision on the "why."

Added: Lets get back to the original OP's question:

Originally Posted by 56flh

We are coming up for recertification next year and are considering looking into a different registrar. I have seen some that are ANAB accredited and some that are IAB and I'm curious what the difference is. If we're switching from one to the other I sure want to make sure that the certification received from the new registrar has the same validity in the manufacturing world as the originating certification.

The apparent differences that I see, are that the IAB does not follow any documented guidelines and are not members of any (international or otherwise) organizations, and the ANAB follows guides as specified by the IAF.

[56flh]

Originally Posted by Coury Ferguson

I don't support the IAB either, but you are right when you said that the market will most likely weed them out.

I pose this question: If they are independent then why would they not show who the CB's are within their structure or regulating guides? IAB website does not provide enough information, in my opinion, to make a "smart" business decision on the "why."

One of the reasons I posted my original question and decided to stay with my original registrar. When reviewing the quote I received from the IAB registrar I got the feeling of dealing with the used car salesman dressed in an ill-fitting suit with white belt and shoes saying, "tell ya what I'm gonna do".

[Mr Niceguy]

This is very interesting from a UK viewpoint because IAB purport to be UK-based. I had never heard of them until I starting reading this thread today.

The IAB website is thin to the point of absurdity - compare with ANAB and UKAS. As someone else mentioned, where is the directory of CBs? Where is the complaints procedure?

The UK government recognises only UKAS as an AB for conformity assessment in manufacture, testing, inspection etc, but clearly they are able to survive in the market without such recognition.

[Mr Niceguy]

ps: I should have said the UK government recognises any AB in the IAF/ILAC mutual recognition agreements.

[Sidney Vianna]

Not to , but Verisys's Certificate of Accreditation states that they are accredited to issue certificates to ISO 14000 and AS9001. ISO 14000 is not an auditable standard and AS9001 does not exist.

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by Sidney Vianna

Not to , but Verisys's Certificate of Accreditation states that they are accredited to issue certificates to ISO 14000 and AS9001. ISO 14000 is not an auditable standard and AS9001 does not exist.

That certificate must have been issued sometime before they were accredited to do colon cleansing and calibration of dowsing rods.

[Sidney Vianna]

From Great Western's website:

Please be aware that LT-Spedition of London, UK, is not registered by GWR and has used the GWR trademark and ANAB accreditation mark on a registration certificate inappropriately and without authorization. GWR found that LT-Spedition copied the signature of the principal manager of GWR without permission and tried to offer the certificate to one of their customers as authentic. ANAB contacted this organization and informed them that it is prohibited from using ANAB's mark and has demanded that it immediately refrain from doing so and from making any other misrepresentations regarding accreditation by ANAB.