Draft:China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS)

The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) is officially sanctioned by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) in compliance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Certification and Accreditation and the Methods for Supervision and Administration of Accreditation Body. CNAS serves as the leading organization responsible for conducting accreditation assessments for various conformity assessment bodies (CABs), including certification bodies, laboratories, inspection bodies, and verification/validation entities. Additionally, CNAS is tasked with managing the national accreditation system for CABs.

CNAS stands for the China National Accreditation Service. It is the national body responsible for the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies in China, including laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies, and proficiency testing providers. CNAS assesses these organizations to ensure they meet international standards and requirements, providing confidence in the quality and reliability of their services. Accreditation by CNAS demonstrates that an organization's processes and procedures are in line with recognized standards, promoting trust and facilitating trade on both a domestic and international level.

= History = CNAS, the China National Accreditation Service, was established on March 31, 2006, through the merger of the former China National Accreditation Board for Certifiers (CNAB) and China National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (CNAL).

CNAB, founded in July 2002, was responsible for accrediting management system certification bodies and product certification bodies. It brought together several accreditation bodies, including the China National Accreditation Council for Registrars (CNACR) and the China National Accreditation Council for Products (CNACP). In April 2004, CNAB also took on the accreditation functions for occupational health and safety management system certification bodies and organic product certification bodies from the China National Accreditation Board for OSHMS Certification Bodies (CNASC) and the organic food accreditation committee.

On the other hand, CNAL, established on July 4, 2002, was in charge of accrediting laboratories, inspection bodies, and related activities. It was formed through the merger of the China National Accreditation Committee for Laboratories (CNACL) and the China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Laboratory Accreditation Committee (CCIBLAC).

The consolidation of CNAB and CNAL into CNAS signifies China's commitment to improving and standardizing the accreditation process for conformity assessment bodies. By streamlining the accreditation system, CNAS aims to enhance the credibility and reliability of conformity assessment services in China, benefiting businesses, consumers, and regulatory authorities alike.

= Organizational Structure = The organizational structure of CNAS comprises several key components, including the Board, Executive Committee, Special Committees for Certification Bodies, Laboratories, Inspection Bodies, Appraisal, Appeal, End-users, Validation and Verification Bodies, as well as the Secretariat. The Board consists of representatives from various accreditation-related government departments, CABs, clients of conformity assessment services, users of conformity assessment, relevant professional bodies, and technical experts.

= Objective = CNAS aims to support conformity assessment bodies in enhancing their development in alignment with relevant standards and specifications, facilitating their provision of effective services to society through impartial practices, scientific methodologies, and accurate outcomes.

= Mission = CNAS is dedicated to:

Establishing and operating the national accreditation system for conformity assessment bodies, developing normative documents such as rules, criteria, and guidance for accreditation in compliance with national laws, international standards, and specifications. Assessing the competence of local or foreign conformity assessment bodies, making accreditation decisions, and conducting surveillance and management of accredited bodies. Overseeing the use of CNAS logo and accreditation symbols. Providing personnel training, recruiting and managing accreditation personnel. Offering technical services to conformity assessment bodies and publicly sharing information on accredited bodies. Engaging in international activities related to conformity assessment and accreditation, signing accreditation cooperation agreements, and addressing appeals and complaints. Undertaking tasks assigned by government authorities, as well as other accreditation-related activities.

The CNAS Secretariat is housed within the China National Accreditation Institute of Conformity Assessment (CNAI), an entity under the State Administration for Market Regulation solely dedicated to accreditation activities, ensuring impartiality.

= International Recognition = The Chinese national accreditation system for conformity assessment is an integral part of the international accreditation multilateral recognition system, playing a significant role within it.

CNAS holds membership in the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and is a member of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). The Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) was established on January 1, 2019, through the merger of APLAC and PAC, consolidating regional accreditation cooperation efforts.

https://www.cnas.org.cn/english/