1. This Arrangement is based on the results of evaluations
carried out in accordance with the relevant rules and
procedures of the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC).
2. This Arrangement consists of nine (9) Clauses.
3. The parties to this Arrangement are the accreditation bodies
on whose behalf the Arrangement has been signed (the
"participating bodies", collectively the "MLA Group").
4. Each participating body shall agree to abide by the terms and
conditions of the MLA and shall:
* maintain conformance with ISO/IEC 17011, and related PAC
guidance documents;
* ensure that all accredited Quality Management System Audit
and Certification bodies comply with ISO/IEC Guide 62 or
ISO/IEC 17021 and related PAC guidance as appropriate;
* ensure that all Environmental Management System Audit and
Certification bodies comply with ISO/IEC Guide 66; or
ISO/IEC 17021 and related PAC guidance as appropriate; and
* ensure that all Product Evaluation and Certification bodies
comply with ISO/IEC Guide 65 and related PAC guidance as
appropriate.
5. Each participating body shall:
* recognize the operation of the other systems - within the
programs as defined in this Arrangement - as equivalent to
its own;
* recommend and promote the acceptance of the certificates of
conformity within the recognized scopes from the bodies
accredited by the participating bodies as being on an equal
basis with those of its own accredited bodies.
6. Each participating body shall:
* investigate all complaints initiated by a participating body
resulting from certificates of conformity issued by the
bodies it has accredited within its accreditation program;
* notify all other participating bodies as soon as possible of
any significant changes that have occurred or will occur in
its status, in the operational practices of its system or in
its accreditation programs;
* contribute as appropriate to the work of the MLA Group;
* participate as appropriate in the meetings of the Technical
Committee and of the MLA Group;
* provide auditors/assessors for the evaluation, re-evaluation
and surveillance to the accreditation programs of the MLA
Group members and applicants;
* cooperate with other accreditation bodies so that the MLA
may be extended;
* use all information in a confidential and professional
manner.
7. If, in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures, it
is agreed that an additional accreditation body that operates
a system may participate in the Arrangement, an MLA Signature
Sheet shall be signed by the new accreditation body and duly
authorized by the PAC Chair.
The new signatory shall be added to the General Letter
Advising MLA Signatories (PAC-DOC-032) . The same procedure
shall be followed if it is agreed that a participant to the
Arrangement may extend its accreditation programs.
8. If a participating body wishes to withdraw from this
Arrangement for any reason whatsoever, that body shall notify
the other participating bodies to this Arrangement in writing
through the MLA Management Committee not later than three
months in advance of withdrawing. Upon withdrawal of a body
or changing the extent of its accreditation programs, that
body’s MLA Signature Sheet shall be withdrawn, a new MLA
Signature Sheet shall be signed (if appropriate) and
PAC-DOC-032 shall be revised accordingly. After each change
in PAC-DOC-032 the rrevised document shall be signed by the
Chair of PAC and circulated to all members and the PAC
Website.
9. Any amendment of the text of this Multilateral Recognition
Arrangement shall be approved by the PAC Plenary.