On 1 January 2026, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) were replaced by the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI). At the same time, the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) were replaced by a single multilateral recognition arrangement — the Global ACI MRA.
As part of this transition, the IAF MLA Mark was licensed to Global ACI and remains valid until a new Global ACI MRA Mark is launched. Until further notice, the IAF MLA Mark continues to be valid and may continue to be used by Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) that hold an existing License Agreement with UKAS.
Use of the IAF MLA Mark during the transition period
During the Global ACI MRA Mark transition period, UKAS‑accredited Certification and Validation & Verification Bodies may continue to use the IAF MLA Mark, provided that:
- A License Agreement with UKAS was signed before 1 January 2026;
- the conformity assessment activity is accredited by UKAS; and
- the activity is within the scope of UKAS’s MRA (details of this scope are available on the Global ACI website).
The IAF MLA Mark may only be used in combination with the appropriate UKAS accreditation symbol as a single combined mark. The rules governing the reproduction and use of the IAF MLA Mark are set out in IAF ML 2: 2023 – General Principles on the Use of the IAF MLA Mark.
New licence agreements
From 1 January 2026, UKAS is no longer accepting new applications from Certification and Validation & Verification Bodies wishing to enter a License Agreement with UKAS for use of the IAF MLA Mark.
Bodies seeking to benefit from the international recognition provided under the Global ACI MRA will need to await the launch of the Global ACI MRA Mark. A decision on the date of launch is expected to be made at the Global ACI General Assembly in October 2026.
Useful links:
- How to use the UKAS accreditation symbols – UKAS
- GEN 6 Reference to accreditation and multilateral recognition signatory status by UKAS accredited bodies
- The National Accreditation Logo and Symbols: Conditions for Use
Information on the temporary use of the IAF MLA and ILAC MRA Marks during the transition to the Global ACI MRA Mark can be found in Annex 1 of Global ACI MRA-006:
