IJCA - Volume 3 - Flipbook - Page 42
40 The International Journal of Conformity Assessment
North America during the 19th century. The drive to
set standards and ensure proficiency within these
professions marked a significant step forward.
However, the concept of international recognition only
emerged with the advent of globalization in the late
20th century.
To provide a statistical context, as per the data from
the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), there are
now 96 members globally, representing accreditation
bodies from various countries and economies. This
reflects the growing trend towards a global approach
to these practices. As of 2019, certified organizations
within IAF members numbered in the millions, a
testament to the significant reach and influence of
global accreditation and certification practices.
Globalization exerts a transformative influence on
accreditation and certification. Standards are now
universal, transcending geographical limitations,
further fueling globalization. However, it’s not without
its downsides; cultural intricacies and regional
compliance regulations often pose challenges, and
a one-size-fits-all approach to standards might not
always be suitable.
Yet, the promise of globalization in these practices is
undeniable, and the trend towards global integration
is compelling. It brings prosperity from wider
market access, mutual recognition, and boosted
competitiveness. With the ongoing technological
advancements, we can only expect this trend to
accelerate further.
Globalization and Accreditation
The influence of globalization on accreditation
and certification practices is profound. With
the emergence and expansion of globalization,
organizations can no longer thrive solely within local
or national markets. To remain competitive and
innovative, they must extend their reach globally.
This shift has been facilitated by globalization and is
evident in accreditation and certification practices.
For instance, with the advent of international bodies
such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and
World Bank (WB), standards and practices are
established across borders, making unified
accreditation and certification practices a reality.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
established in 1947, was one of the first organizations
to take a global approach to conformity assessment,
creating standards that could be used universally,
breaking down technical barriers to global trade.
Statistics and Facts
According to the World Trade Organization, the
number of internationally recognized certifications
has seen exponential growth over the years.
Moreover, the McKinsey & Company report of 2017
revealed that more than 70% of professionals believe
that certification leads to higher earning potential,
signifying the importance of globally recognized
certifications in the professional world.
Globalization is not merely an economic event, it is a
transformational force, changing the way we accredit
and certify. In this ever-evolving landscape, the
importance of staying updated and informed cannot
be overstated.
As we proceed further into this new era of global
interconnectivity, the role of accreditation and
certification continues to gain relevance. Serving
as a proof of competence and a standard of quality
assurance, the importance of this practice remains
glaringly evident.
Let’s delve deeper into this realm, dissecting how
the regulation and validation processes are adapting
to the dawn of globalization. Traditional methods of
accreditation and certification involved extensive
paperwork and manual verification. However, as
technology saturates every aspect of our lives,
these laborious procedures have become obsolete.
The norm is now digitized, expedited, yet rigorous
certification and accreditation practices.
The new era calls for harmonization in accreditation
and certification standards across the globe. It
entails ensuring consistency, eliminating any disparity
in standards between countries, and ensuring that
a certified entity or professional in one part of the
world is bestowed the same regard and opportunities
anywhere else. The embrace of standardized
global accreditation and certification maximizes
opportunities, endorses professionalism, and
enhances the universality of skills recognition.
Yet, it is essential to remember that this globalization
of accreditation and certification isn’t without its
challenges. The disparities in economic development,
educational institutions, cultural preferences, and
technological capabilities around the globe can
make the implementation of standardized practices
a daunting task. Bridging these gaps will require
significant efforts, collaborations, and investments.
As a community, we must collaborate and
establish shared aspirations for global standards
