From July 15 to 19, 2024, the two experts from the secretariat of the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) participated in a training session in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, at the invitation of the National Center of Accreditation of Kazakhstan (NCA). The training focused on Proficiency Testing Providers (PTP) and aimed to help Kazakhstan gain a deeper understanding of the new international standard, ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Conformity assessment – General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers, thereby aiding its implementation. The session was attended by NCA officials, assessors and experts from Kazakhstan in this field.
During the event, the CNAS experts provided a comprehensive explanation and guidance on the background, major changes and key provisions of the new ISO/IEC17043. In addition to the training, they visited two accredited national PTPs to share experiences, exchange insights with relevant personnel, and offer targeted solutions to practical challenges encountered by NCA in the process of PTP recognition.
As Kazakhstan’s sole national accreditation body, the NCA plays a crucial role in advancing the accreditation of conformity assessment bodies in the country. Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation between NCA and CNAS in 2019, their cooperation has continued to grow, with both parties committed to enhancing the quality and internationalization of accreditation. Although the NCA has been accrediting based on the previous version of ISO/IEC 17043, it has not yet joined the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC-MRA). As a signatory of ILAC-MRA, CNAS’s experience and resources in the field are invaluable in helping NCA comprehend the revision of this standard.
This event highlighted the latest progress and achievements in PTP accreditation between China and Kazakhstan, and laid a solid foundation for continued cooperation under the framework of the “Belt and Road Initiative”. The NCA highly praised the training and exchange, recognizing its potential to advance Kazakhstan’s accreditation system and enhance international competitiveness. Moreover, this exchange further bolstered CNAS’ influence and reputation in the field.
