For the proper working of an accreditation system, it is essential to have mechanisms that permit and facilitate the participation of all stakeholders both in making the policies of the entity and in technical developments.

At ENAC this participation of stakeholders in terms of policymaking is assured by the election system of members of Steering Board laid down in the articles of association.

Participation in technical developments and access of the entity to know-how and technical expertise in every activity carried out by ENAC is assured by means of various participation mechanisms, such as the technical advisory committees, formed by reputable professionals in the different sectors of activity; autonomous community forums, set up in those activities in which there is direct supervision by autonomous communities (self-governing regions); agreements with associations of conformity assessment bodies which facilitate and assure cooperation in technical development and the inclusion of their interests in ENAC activity; agreements with professional organisations: scientific and technical institutions that offer ENAC support in the technical development of its activity; participation on external committees set up in certain sectors by one or more stakeholders, contributing to the exchange of information between ENAC and the different interests.

Technical Advisory Committees – Comités Técnicos Asesores

Made up of reputable professionals representing the different interests – independent specialists, business associations and user industries, government – who carry out important work in defining criteria,  drawing up documents for guidance, problem solving, organising or coordinating intercomparison exercises, and so forth.

• Technical Certification Committee.
• Technical R&D&I Committee.
• Product Certification Subcommittee.
• Technical Environmental Verification Committee.
• Sector Committee on Testing for Electricity-Electronics and Acoustics
• Technical Calibration Subcommittees for Acoustics, Electricity, Dimensional, Force, Mass, Pressure and Volume, Chemistry, Ionizing Radiation, Time and Frequency, and Optics.

Autonomous Community Forums – Foros con las Comunidades Autónomas

The aim of the forums is to improve coordination and cooperation between ENAC and the autonomous communities, increasing the involvement of Government in the accreditation processes in those activities which are carried out in the regulatory or non-regulatory field and which, therefore, require supervision by public authorities.

Forums:

• Control Bodies
• Greenhouse Gas Emission Verifiers
• Environmental Inspection
• Road Vehicle Inspection
• Certification of Agrifood Produce

Associations of Conformity Assessment Bodies – Asociaciones de Organismos de Evaluación de la Conformidad

The cooperation agreements made with different conformity assessment associations mean that flexible streamlined channels are available to facilitate and further CAB involvement in the technical undertakings of ENAC:

• Association of Testing, Calibration and Analysis Bodies, (FELAB) which groups together EUROLAB Spain and the Spanish Association of Independent Laboratories (AELI).
• Association of Control Bodies (ASORCO) which groups together the inspection bodies and control bodies operating in Spain.
• Spanish Association of Government Partner Bodies in Road Vehicle Inspection (AECA-ITV).
• Spanish Quality Association: Certifying Body Committee.
• Spanish Association of Inspection and Certification companies (AEGIC).

Professional Organisations – Organizaciones Profesionales

Cooperation with numerous professional organisations gives ENAC a grounding in the technical development of its own activity.

• Spanish Food Safety Agency (AESAN).
• Spanish Microbiology Society (SEM).
• Spanish Metrology Centre (CEM).
• Spanish Association of Medical Biopathology (AEBM).
• Spanish Association of Analyst Pharmacists (AEFA).
• Spanish Association of Haematology and Haemotherapy (AEHH).
• Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC).
• Spanish Society of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Pathology (SEQC).
• Spanish Immunology Society (SEI).
• Spanish Association of Antenatal Diagnosis (AEDP)
• Spanish Society of Anatomical Pathology (SEAP)
• Spanish Association of Neonatal Screening (AECNE)
• Spanish Association of Human Genetics (AEGH)
• Spanish Society of Environmental Health (SESA)
• Association of Excellence Centres

External Committees – Comités Externos

• Spanish Association for Research Quality Assurance (SEGCIB).
• Management Committee of CBMC Certifying Bodies of the Spanish Association of Aerospace Material Constructors.
• Road Vehicle Inspection Committees and Control Bodies for the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade.
• Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) working groups.
• Committees of international accreditation bodies (EA, ILAC and IAF).
• Forum on EMAS-regulated accreditation bodies (FAB).
• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Commission on Pesticides.
• Spanish Association of Water Supply and Sanitation (AEAS)
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE) Good Laboratory Practice Working Group.
• European Commission Good Laboratory Practice Working Group.

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