ENAC recently held its Chief Auditors Day at the headquarters of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research), an event that brought together more than 150 professionals from the Spanish accreditation system’s technical team.

The chief auditor plays a fundamental role in the accreditation process, being the main person responsible for the audit; a task that includes organizing the audit, coordinating the audit team, preparing the audit report, and assessing corrective actions. Therefore, this meeting is essential for ensuring exchange and continue maintaining a solid accreditation system.

The session was inaugurated by Mr. Jose M. Martell, Vice President of CSIC’s Scientific and Technical Research, who highlighted the importance of ENAC accreditation for Spanish economic and social development and the value of the ongoing collaboration between ENAC and CSIC: "For CSIC, as the largest public institution in Spain dedicated to research, it is essential that all the processes we carry out in our daily work are supported by the technical competence and reliability that define us, with the highest guarantees of safety. For this reason, for our institution it is not only essential to obtain accreditations but also to work closely with the National Accreditation Body. The exchange of scientific and technological information helps our organizations achieve the highest possible technical excellence and recognition.”.

For her part, the Director General of ENAC, Beatriz Rivera, has addressed recent developments in the accreditation system, including new areas and sectors that have seen a significant increase in activity, such as cybersecurity and sustainability, with accreditation being incorporated into schemes related to the Cybersecurity Act, industrial automation and control systems, and the Internet of Things on one hand, and energy efficiency, on the other, with increased activity expected in 2025.

She also emphasized the market and public administrations’ constantly increasing recognition of accreditation both domestically and abroad, with "more than 300 European and national legislative provisions incorporating accreditation as a tool for achieving its public policy objectives, and more than 120 economies recognizing certificates and reports issued by ENAC-accredited bodies." For Rivera, "none of this would be possible without the professionals who take part in the accreditation process and the commitment required for this activity, which is essential for the Spanish market and society." 

Likewise, during the day, operational and technical aspects of the assessment process and the decision-making process were addressed.

The day concluded with a commemorative event for the chief auditors who have dedicated more than 25 years of their professional activity to the national accreditation system, highlighting their dedication and the value they have brought in facing market challenges and continuing to contribute to strengthening the accreditation infrastructure in Spain.