1. What do Accreditation Bodies currently do to engage with regulators? Some common approaches

2. IAJapan 1.IAJapan has a regular meeting with regulators approximately once a month to exchange information related to accreditation and conformity assessment. 2.IAJapan invite regulators to be a member of the IAJapan accreditation advisory committees. 3.IAJapan sends its staff members to the committees related to regulations, standards and conformance that are set up by the Japanese government or related agencies. 4.IAJapan has a personnel exchange programme with the Japanese government including regulators and policy making sections on metrology, standards and conformance. 5.IAJapan makes comments through the governmental public comment system when a regulation related conformity assessment is newly established or amended. 6.IAJapan, when needed, makes requests to regulators for cooperation and understanding.

3. IANZ 1.Write directly to regulators and visit them about matters that are directly relevant to them. 2.Write letters that promote the MRAs and distribute them to New Zealand Government departments directly involved with trade negotiations and Government to Government Agreements. 3.MRA promotion letters are also sent to New Zealand diplomatic and trade missions in the economies that the MRA concerns, and to foreign diplomatic and trade missions in New Zealand (the embassies and consulates of other governments). 4.MRA promotion letters are also sent to “multiplier” organisations that have an interest in bilateral or regional trade developments, such as business councils with an interest in trade between New Zealand and the MRA partner, and businesses associations too. Articles have been written by some business groups for their newsletters.

4. IANZ 5.IANZ regularly distributes its own newsletter, Focal Points, as well as ILAC News and APLAC News Notes, to key contacts with a particular interest in accreditation and the MRA within the New Zealand Government. 6.IANZ programme managers frequently hold discussions with key personnel within ministries who are have adopted (or are considering adopting) the accreditation model to meet their own regulatory requirements. 7.IANZ offers a “conformity assessment help desk” which provides advice and information to regulators, importers, exporters and manufactures. Enquirers seek help about what needs to be tested/inspected, where to go to get this done, what reports are acceptable from overseas, etc. 8.IANZ visit regulators on a regular basis to keep current and future users of accreditation abreast of what IANZ and accreditation have to offer. Resources (brochures) have been developed to give to regulators during each visit.

5. IANZ 9.At the request of the New Zealand Government, IANZ hosts officials from overseas who want to learn more about accreditation and the New Zealand conformity assessment infrastructure. 10.IANZ is working closely with the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development (MED), the body responsible for the successful operation of the NZ standards and conformance infrastructure. IANZ positions itself to play a key role in helping the MED develop an online resource that will act as a one stop shop for standards and conformance information. 11.IANZ is also an active member of the MED coordinated “Regulatory Forum”, which seeks to introduce all NZ regulators to the key organisations in the standards and conformance infrastructure. This Forum is used by IANZ to improve regulator’s knowledge about accreditation and what IANZ can offer, as well as emphasise the importance of the MRAs.

6. Standards Malaysia 1.Standards Malaysia conducts one to one discussions with key regulators on the acceptance of test reports. Specifically: a)Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB), b)Malaysian Rubber Board (LGM), c)Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), d)Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), and e) Ministry of Domestic Trade (KPDNHEP). After the discussions, regulators have a better understanding of the role of Standards Malaysia and benefits of accreditation. 2.Standards Malaysia regularly distribute its’ own newsletter to regulators (Standards & Accreditation News).

7. The Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (CALA) 1.Half of the current members of CALA’s Board of Directors are drawn from the not-for-profit sector in Canada, and this sector of laboratories is mostly represented by public sector agencies, including regulators. The current Board consists of ten elected positions, five of whom are from the not-for-profit sector. Of these five, four are from Environment Canada, the federal department for the environment. The other is from a Provincial environmental ministry. As well, one of the observers on the Board is from Health Canada. These regulators are indeed engaged. 2.At all levels within CALA programs, regulatory agencies provide experts and assessors to help define programs (Program Committee), help define assessment requirements (Advisory Panel), help assess laboratories (80 of 160 assessors), and grant accreditations (Accreditation Council). Many environmental regulatory agencies in Canada are represented within CALA programs. These regulators are engaged from program governance through program design through delivery.

8. The Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (CALA) 3.Periodically, CALA will engage one or more regulators on specific topics related to accreditation. Most discussions concern accreditation or proficiency testing work in support of a specific legislation or regulation. Some relate to clarifying regulatory requirements in these areas. All are collegial. 4.As new programs are developed, the regulatory agencies involved in enforcement or policy development of the specific topic are contacted to discern their requirements for involvement. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, amongst others, is a participant in the accreditation of mineral analysis laboratories. 5.CALA produces an annual report on its activities and does so primarily in electronic format. The very few printed copies produced, are for the desks of the Ministers of the federal departments and provincial ministries that look to CALA to support their work.

9. Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) 1.HKAS involves regulators in all levels of its structure and in accreditation work. 2.In the top advisory board of HKAS, there were several representatives from various government organisations. In the technical committees, including Working Parties and Task Forces, there are many such members. 3.Representatives from government organisations also join HKAS liaison groups for accredited organisations and users of accredited organisations. 4.Many of HKAS’ technical assessors are employees of government organisations. 5.As a government accreditation body, HKAS also received requests for comments from other government organisations on their initiatives. 6.HKAS staff also sit on committees of other government organisations responsible for initiatives involving accreditation and conformity assessment.

10. Summary of Approaches 1.Accreditation Bodies involving regulators in all levels of its structure and in accreditation work (where practical). 2.Representatives from various government organisations on Accreditation Body advisory boards, technical committees, Working Parties, Task Forces, liaison groups etc. 3.Accreditation Bodies with government affiliation use their leverage to approach government departments/regulators. 4.In some instances, Accreditation Body staff also sit on committees of other government organisations responsible for initiatives involving accreditation and conformity assessment.

11. Summary of Approaches 5.Contact the regulator to learn about their requirements for involvement. 6.Discuss with regulator accreditation work in support of specific legislation or regulation. 7.Distribution of annual reports and Accreditation Body newsletters to key regulators and decision makers. 8.One to one discussion with regulators. 9.Form a strong working relationship with the key Government agency that has the responsibility for making sure the Standards and Conformance infrastructure works efficiently within your economy. Help them to use your Accreditation Body.

12. Summary of Approaches 10.Establish a conformity assessment or accreditation help desk for regulators that need advice on how to use accreditation to meet their regulatory requirements. Make it easy for them to come to you. 11.Write letters about key events at the international trade level (new MRA signatories) and keep Government departments involved with trade, up to date with MRA successes. 12.Write to “multiplier” organisations too (trade associations, business groups, bilateral/multilateral trade councils etc.) to make them aware of accreditation, the MRA and the related trade benefits. They have significant political leverage with Government. 13.Encourage regulators to associate with, and participate in, International Accreditation Day. 14.Visit regulators – leave brochures – make a follow up call.