IAF and ILAC Merger: What Global ACI Means for ISO Certified Businesses in the UAE

The global accreditation system that underpins every ISO certificate has changed. On 1 January 2026, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) ceased operations and merged into a single new organization. On 14 April 2026, that organization formally launched its public identity as Global ACI.

For ISO certified businesses in the UAE, this is not a cosmetic rebrand. It is a structural change to the system that gives your ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 22000, ISO 27001, and laboratory accreditation certificates their international recognition. This guide explains what has changed, what stays the same, and what UAE businesses should do now.

What Actually Happened: A Merger, Not Just a Rebrand

It is a common misconception that IAF was simply renamed. The reality is more significant. Two separate international organizations have merged into one:

• IAF (International Accreditation Forum): established in 1993, oversaw accreditation of certification bodies in management systems, products, services, personnel, and validation/verification.
• ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation): oversaw accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and reference material producers.

Both organizations formally ceased operations on 1 January 2026. Their roles, responsibilities, and recognition arrangements have been transferred to a single new entity: Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated, publicly known as Global ACI.

This decision was first agreed in 2019 and formally confirmed in 2025. The merger is the most significant structural change to the international accreditation system in over thirty years.

What Is Global ACI?

Global ACI is the new single international accreditation organization. It performs the functions previously carried out separately by IAF and ILAC, under one governance framework, one membership structure, and one Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

The acronym Global ACI is pronounced "Global A-C-I" and stands for Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated. The organization is registered in New Zealand and unveiled its new logo, website, and official social media channels on 14 April 2026.

In simple terms: every ISO certificate issued anywhere in the world relies on a chain of recognition that ultimately traces back to a single global body. Until 31 December 2025, that body was either IAF or ILAC, depending on the type of certification. From 1 January 2026 onwards, that body is Global ACI.

Key Dates and Timeline

UAE businesses, regulators, and tender authorities should be aware of the following milestones:

• 1 January 2026: Global ACI commenced full operations. IAF and ILAC ceased operations on the same day. The Global ACI MRA launched.
• 14 April 2026: Global ACI launched its new public identity, including the official name, logo, website (global-aci.org), and digital presence.
• Transition period: Existing IAF MLA and ILAC MRA marks remain valid throughout the transition. There is no fixed end date yet for full adoption of the new Global ACI mark.

The legacy IAF and ILAC websites are now archival reference sites only. All current information is published through the Global ACI website.

Why IAF and ILAC Merged

The decision to consolidate two well-established organizations was driven by practical pressures that had been building for years:

• Eliminating duplication: IAF and ILAC ran parallel governance structures, peer evaluation programmes, and recognition arrangements. A single organization removes overlap and reduces administrative cost.
• Stronger global trust: One organization speaks with one voice to governments, regulators, and trade bodies, which strengthens cross-border recognition.
• A single MRA: Previously, businesses had to navigate two separate recognition arrangements. The new Global ACI MRA covers all scopes under a single framework, simplifying mutual recognition for accredited conformity assessment results.
• Greater efficiency: Harmonized policies and procedures across management systems and laboratory accreditation reduce friction for accreditation bodies, certification bodies, and the businesses they serve.

The official position of Global ACI is that this consolidation makes the global accreditation system simpler, more efficient, and easier to trust.

What Changes for UAE Businesses Holding ISO Certificates

If your UAE business currently holds an ISO certificate, the practical answer is reassuring: very little changes in the short term, but several things must be tracked.

1. Your Existing ISO Certificate Remains Valid

Certificates issued under the IAF MLA or ILAC MRA continue to be recognized internationally. There is no requirement to re-certify simply because of the merger. Continuity of recognition is one of the principles publicly stated by Global ACI.

2. Existing IAF MLA and ILAC MRA Marks Remain Valid

Many UAE businesses display IAF MLA or ILAC MRA marks on their certificates, websites, and tender documents. These marks remain valid during the transition period. Certification bodies will gradually transition to the new Global ACI mark, but there is no immediate deadline forcing businesses to remove or replace existing marks.

3. Your Certification Body Is Still Accredited

The accreditation body that accredits your certification body (for example, EIAC in Dubai or ENAS at the federal level) continues to operate as a Full Member of Global ACI. There are no service interruptions for accreditation bodies, certification bodies, scheme owners, or regional groups during the transition.

4. Tender and Contract References Need Updating

This is the area where most UAE businesses will need to take action. Many tender documents, supply contracts, and internal procedures explicitly reference "IAF accredited certification" or "ILAC MRA recognized laboratory." Going forward, these references should be updated to reference Global ACI and its MRA. Procurement, legal, and compliance teams should plan for this update during their next document review cycle.

5. New Certificates Will Reference Global ACI Over Time

As certification bodies update their accreditation status with Global ACI, newly issued certificates will gradually carry the Global ACI mark instead of the IAF MLA or ILAC MRA mark. This is a phased process, and both old and new marks will coexist during the transition.

The Single Global ACI MRA Explained

The Multilateral Recognition Arrangement is the legal and technical framework that allows an ISO certificate issued in the UAE to be accepted in Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United States, China, or anywhere else with a Global ACI member accreditation body.

Previously, this recognition operated through two separate arrangements:

• The IAF MLA covered management systems certification, product certification, personnel certification, and validation/verification.
• The ILAC MRA covered testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, and reference material producers.

The new Global ACI MRA covers all of these scopes under a single, unified arrangement. For UAE businesses involved in international trade, exports, regulatory submissions, or tenders that span multiple jurisdictions, this simplification is meaningful. Conformity assessment results accredited under the Global ACI MRA carry the same cross-border recognition that the previous arrangements provided, but through a clearer pathway.

Confidence in the system continues to be built through rigorous, standards-based peer evaluation under ISO/IEC 17011, the international standard for accreditation bodies. This has not changed.

The GCC Angle: Regional Leadership in Global Accreditation

For UAE and wider GCC businesses, an important detail of the Global ACI launch deserves attention. The first Chair of Global ACI is Brahim Houla of the GCC Accreditation Center (GAC), elected at the IAF and ILAC Joint Annual Meetings held in Bangkok in October 2025. His term began on 1 January 2026, the same day Global ACI commenced operations.

This is a significant moment for the region. The GCC Accreditation Center has steadily grown its profile over the past decade, and the appointment places GCC leadership at the highest level of the international accreditation system at the precise moment of its restructuring.

For UAE businesses, this matters in two practical ways. First, it strengthens the credibility of GCC-based accreditation in international markets. Second, it signals that regional priorities such as trade facilitation, conformity assessment for product market access, and cross-border recognition will have a strong voice within Global ACI's governance during its formative years.

What UAE Businesses Should Do Now

The merger does not require dramatic action, but a structured response will protect your business from compliance gaps and outdated documentation.

1. Confirm with your certification body that they remain a Full Member of Global ACI through their accreditation body. Most reputable certification bodies will publish a statement on their website confirming continuity.
2. Review tender documents, supply contracts, and procurement specifications for references to "IAF accredited" or "ILAC MRA." Plan to update these to "Global ACI accredited" or "Global ACI MRA recognized" during the next document review cycle.
3. Update internal compliance procedures and quality manuals where they refer to IAF or ILAC by name. This includes vendor approval criteria, supplier evaluation forms, and audit checklists.
4. Train your procurement, legal, and compliance teams so they recognize the new Global ACI mark when it appears on certificates received from suppliers or partners.
5. Continue using existing IAF MLA and ILAC MRA marks where they appear on current certificates. There is no immediate need to replace them, and they remain valid during the transition.
6. Subscribe to Global ACI updates so you can track the formal end of the transition period when it is announced, and any further changes to the mark or recognition framework.

How Qdot Supports UAE Businesses Through the Global ACI Transition

Qdot International works exclusively with certification bodies accredited under member accreditation bodies of Global ACI, ensuring every certification we support carries full international recognition. Whether you are pursuing first-time certification or maintaining existing certificates, our consultancy services span the full range of standards affected by the transition.

This includes ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, ISO 45001 occupational health and safety, ISO 27001 information security, ISO 22000 food safety, and laboratory accreditation under ISO 17025 and ISO 17020.

For organizations seeking integrated certification across quality, environment, and safety, our Integrated Management System (IMS) consultancy combines multiple standards into a single, audit-efficient framework.