International • 2 mins read
From 1 September 2025, the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) will launch the EA MLA Mark. This new, optional mark is designed to sit alongside existing accreditation symbols, providing an additional way for conformity assessment bodies (CABs) to demonstrate international recognition of their work.
The EA Multilateral Agreement (MLA) plays an important role in building trust and confidence across Europe and beyond. By ensuring that certificates and reports issued by UKAS-accredited organisations are recognised as equivalent to those accredited in other countries, the MLA helps to reduce barriers to trade, cut duplication of assessments, and make it easier for businesses to access international markets. For customers, it means greater confidence that accredited services are reliable and comparable, wherever they are delivered.
The introduction of the EA MLA Mark offers accredited organisations a valuable opportunity to visibly showcase their international recognition. For UKAS-accredited CABs operating across Europe, the use of the EA MLA Mark reinforces confidence in the UKAS brand and its continued integration within the European quality infrastructure. This visible endorsement is particularly significant in the voluntary sector, where it may help reassure European clients and stakeholders that UKAS-accredited services remain credible and trusted across the continent. However, it is important to note that the EA MLA Mark does not affect recognition within EU-regulated areas.
UKAS has published a Technical Bulletin to explain how the Mark can be used in the UK, as this has additional conditions to the rules governing its use in other European countries.
You can also find out more about the wider benefits of the EA MLA on the EA website.