PAC MULTILATERAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT FOR ACCREDITATION OF
E NVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION BOD-
IES

1.This Arrangement is based on the results of evaluations carri-
ed out in accordance with the relevant rules and procedures of
the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC).
2.The parties to this Arrangement are the accreditation bodies
on whose behalf the Arrangement has been signed (the "partici-
pating bodies", collectively the "MLA Group").
3.Each participating body shall agree to abide by the terms and
conditions of the MLA.
Each participating body shall:
(i) maintain conformance with ISO/IEC Guide 66, and related
PAC guidance documents;
(ii) ensure that all accredited Environment Management System
Assessment and Certification / Registration bodies comply
with ISO/IEC Guide 66 and related PAC guidance documents.
4.Each participating body shall:
(i) recognize the operation of the other systems - within the
programs as defined in this Arrangement - as equivalent to
its own;
(ii) recommend and promote the acceptance of the certificates
of conformity within the recognized scopes from the bodi-
es accredited by the participating bodies as being on an
equal basis with those of its own accredited bodies.
5.Each participating body shall:
(i) investigate all complaints initiated by a participating
body resulting from certificates of conformity issued by
the bodies it has accredited within its accreditation pro-
gram;
(ii) notify all other participating bodies as soon as possible
of any significant changes that have occurred or will oc-
cur in its status, in the operational practices of its
system or in its accreditation programs;
(iii) contribute as appropriate to the work of the MLA Group;
(iv) participate as appropriate in the meetings of the Techni-
cal Committeeand of the MLA Group;
(v) provide auditors/assessors for the evaluation, re-evaluat-
ion and surveillance to the accreditation programs of the
MLA Group members and applicants;
(vi) co-operate with other accreditation bodies so that the
MLA may be extended;
(vii) use all information in a confidential and professional
manner.
6.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 (Annex B of this Arrangement) shall be signed by the
new accreditation body and duly authorized by the PAC Chair.
The new signatory shall be added to the list of signatories (
Annex A of this Arrangement). The same procedure shall be fol-
lowed if it is agreed that a participant to the Arrangement
may extend its accreditation programs.
7.If a participating body wishes to withdraw from this Arrangem-
ent for any reason whatsoever, that body shall notify the oth-
er 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 Si-
gnature Sheet shall be withdrawn, a new MLA Signature Sheet
shall be signed (if appropriate) and the list of signatories (
Annex A) shall be revised accordingly.
After each change in the list of signatories (Annex A) the re-
vised list shall be counter-signed by the Chairman of PAC.
8.Any amendment of the text of this Multilateral Recognition Ar-
rangement shall be approved by the PAC Plenary.
9.This Arrangement consists of ten (10) Clauses plus an Annex (
Annex A) listing each participating body, along with the exte-
nt of its accreditation programs,and one signature sheet for
each participating body (Annex B).
10.This Arrangement came into force on: 24 January 1998.

Signed on behalf of the following Full Member:

CNAB Chinese Taipei/TAF

Signed: Signed:

Name: Neng-Jong Lin Name: Xiao Jianhua
Position: President Position: Chair, Pacific
Accreditation
Co-operation
Organisation Taiwan Accreditation
Foundation
Economy: Chinese Taipei
Date: 8 July, 2004 Date: 8 July, 2004