Within the framework of the ILAC&IAF Peer Evaluation of ARAC with the aim to achieve the International recognition of the ARAC MLA, the third witnessing by ILAC & IAF has been successfully conducted during the ARAC Peer evaluation of the Egyptian Accreditation Body EGAC, held in Cairo, Egypt, between the period 18-23 March 2017. The Peer evaluation covered the activities of the accreditation of Calibration & Testing &Medical laboratories, Inspection Bodies and Certification Bodies (Quality & Environmental & Food Safety Management System) according to ILAC&IAF requirements with the participation of six ARAC qualified Peer Evaluators.

It should be noted that this evaluation is considered as the penultimate stage in the ILAC&IAF Peer evaluation process of ARAC which was preceded by the following activities:

• 20-22 September 2016: the ILAC&IAF Peer Evaluation of ARAC Secretariat,
• 09 – 13 October 2016: the first witnessing during the ARAC Peer Evaluation of the Jordanian Accreditation System JAS-AU,
• 08-12 January 2017: the second witnessing of the ARAC Peer Evaluation of the Algerian Accreditation Body ALGERAC,
• 19^th February 2017: witnessing of the decision making committee meeting ARAC MLA Group;

As a last step of the ILAC&IAF Peer evaluation process, the witnessing of the third ARAC MLA Group meeting will be held on 24^th July 2017 in Tunisia.

After this significant achievement by which ARAC is closer than ever to reach the ARAC principal target which is the international recognition of its Multi-Lateral Recognition Agreement [ARAC MLA], ARAC wishes to extend its special gratitude and appreciation to its partners [AIDMO, LAS, Sida and UNIDO] for their continual support.