ARAC peer evaluation process is under on-going review by ARAC MLA Committee and MLA Group and ILAC/IAF peer evaluators as part of the evaluation program for regional cooperation MLAs. ARAC peer evaluators are highly qualified, experienced accreditation body staff members who participate at training programs on a frequent basis. Two to three training workshops take place every year. Peer evaluator performance is reviewed regularly by the ARAC Peer Evaluators Working Group and ARAC peer evaluators are mandated for peer evaluations by the other regional cooperation bodies and ILAC or IAF.
Steps of Peer Evaluation Process
The national accreditation body applies for MLA signatory status (initial or extension of scopes). The national accreditation body has to specify and justify the scope (testing, calibration etc.) for which is applying.
The ARAC MLA Group secretariat reviews the application documents.
The MLA Group Chair appoints a team leader and team members.
The Team performs the document review (Management System documents, proceduers of the national accreditation vody, Legal status, etc.)
Where applicable, a pre-peer evaluation is conducted.
The team carries out the on-site evaluation. The evaluation combines evaluation of the managment system at the national accreditaion body office with observation of assessment out by the national accreditaion body.
The team prepare the executive summary report at the end of the evaluation. Findings are approved with national accreditaion body at the closing meeting.
The final Evaluation reported by the Evaluation team members and send to the MLA Group Secretariat.
The MLA Group review the evaluation report and make a decision.
ARAC publications and website are updated accordingly.