In order to promote the value and benefits of accreditation to the world, from 2008, the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) choose a topic each year as the global topic for promoting accreditation and conformity assessment system. The promotional topic for this year (2019) is “Accreditation: Adding Value to Supply Chains.” The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, MOEA (hereinafter referred to as BSMI), the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (hereinafter referred to as TAF) and Chinese National Federation of Industries (hereinafter referred to as CNFI), based on the characteristics of industrial supply chains, especially planned and held the “2019 World Accreditation Day Conference - Accreditation: Adding Value to Supply Chains” at the NTUH International Convention Center on June 10, 2019. Nearly 300 attendees from authorities, various industries and conformity assessment agencies, experts and scholars and consumer representatives, among which there were more than 100 representatives from various industries, clearly showing that the industries attach great importance to the issue of accreditation adding value to the supply chains.

The opening remarks on the day of the event were delivered by Dr. Lien Ching-Chang, Director-General of BSMI. Dr. Lien especially pointed out that Taiwan is one of the important links in the global industrial supply chains. Only through strict accreditation and conformity assessment system can we build sound and reliable supply chains that ensure consumer safety and product quality, while simultaneously improving the efficiency of trading procedures, such as production, inspection and sales, thereby benefiting both consumers and suppliers. Dr. Lien further stated that right now as various economies throughout the world are striving to establish efficient and trustworthy accreditation systems and globally, 80% of trade and 96% of gross production value involve accreditation and conformity assessment activities and requirements, meaning that accreditation contributes significantly to a nation’s economy, trade development, the operations of domestic and cross-border supply chains. It means that accreditation plays an essential role in lowering trade cost, strengthening technology transfer, increasing investments, etc.

In order to promote the topic of World Accreditation Day, “Accreditation: Adding Value to Supply Chains,” this year’s conference was planned around keynote speeches, exploring the values that accreditation adds to the supply chains in different stages of the supply chain, including manufacturing, marketing, consumption, etc. For keynote speeches, we first invited the acting section chief of BSMI, Mr. Wang Chun-Chao to share how BSMI applies accreditation and conformity assessment results in relevant regulations and policies to ensure the safety and confidence of consumers who purchase or use the products. Next, senior vice president of Nan Ya Plastics Corporation, Mr. Lin Fong-Chin shared with us how to encourage product innovation and improve product quality control through accreditation so as to achieve great performance on the market. The vice chairman of Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association, Mr. Cheng Fu-Hsiung, through his experiences and expertise in the electrical and electronic industry, provided guidance on how accreditation can be applied to further the development of Taiwan’s electrical and electronic industry that has been our pride, making us the world leader in this field. Dr. Huang Yao-Wen, the chairperson of Taiwan Quality Food Association, from a manager perspective of conformity assessment schemes (Taiwan Quality Food, “TQF”), talked about how to safeguard food safety through the benefits of accreditation and conformity assessment, and actively promote the value of accreditation and conformity assessment to encourage distributors to sell safe and trustworthy products so as to create a safe consumer market.

Participants from all walks of life came to understand how accreditation could benefit and create values for the supply chains, the industries and the consumers in aspects of safe consumption, product management innovation and improving sale confidence through the keynote speeches in the conference.

1. Prove the capabilities of suppliers and the industry
   The operation capabilities and the competence of the organization can be proven through the accredited organizations of TAF and the conformity standards and regulations on which it is based, thereby strengthening its purchase advantage in the supply chain.
2. Facilitate smooth trading
   For the different stages of supply chain activities, from acquisition of raw materials to completion of the final product, if the requirements of product, production process and quality are judged for conformity based on the same international standards and receive the accreditation of a third party are approved through conformity assessment, it will ensure equivalence between cross-border products and services, thus avoiding technical barriers to trade.
3. Encourage industrial innovation
   The industries and organizations that take part in the supply chain can base their product, process and service innovation on standards and requirement of international consensus (such as worldwide 5G development and smart machinery). Furthermore, accreditation by a third party and conformity assessment systems will provide impartial and professional judgments, which will encourage industrial innovation and improve market competitiveness.
4. Ensure supply sustainability
   Suppliers that have received accreditation and been approved in conformity assessment can be deemed as ensuring buyers supply sustainability. For buyers, choosing a sustainable supplier will not only achieve stability financially, but also display the implementation of corporate social responsibility and ethics.
5. Strengthen the consumer market
   Through accreditation by a third party and approval of conformity assessment, retailers can obtain trust and ensure the safety of consumers in using the products and services, and further ensure repeatability and consistency of products and services, so as to establish a sound and trustworthy consumer environment.

Through the guidance provided by BSMI, co-hosting of CNFI, experiences shared by competent authorities and honorable guests, and the participation of various industries, conformity assessment agencies, experts and representatives, the conference ended successfully. Being in sync with promotional activities on the topic of World Accreditation Day means development of accreditation system of our nation is in line with global accreditation systems. Through the cooperation of governmental and non-governmental sectors, “accreditation” is extensively affecting domestic and cross-border trading activities and the supply chains, which will create a better living environment for our citizens.

Note: To download materials for this conference, please refer to the website of TAF.