DUBAI ACCREDITATION DEPARTMENT – DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

GENERAL ACCREDITATION
REQUIREMENTS
DAC -REQ-01
September 2012

Head, Laboratory Accreditation Section

APPROVED : Head, Inspection Bodies Accreditation Section
Head, Certification Bo dies Accreditation Section

REVISION HISTORY
ISSUE REV.
DETAILS DATE
NO. NO.
0 0 Draft For Comments 18-01-2003
1 1 Issue for Use 22-01-2003
1 2 Revised issue for use 18-03-2006
1 3 Revised to add paragraph “3.2” in clause 3 ‘Specific Requirements for Technical 07-06-2006
Competence’ regarding DAC policy for participation in Proficiency Testing
Programs.
1 4 Amend point 2.4 "criteria for assessing and granting accreditation for CABs" to 01-05-2007
include the Certification Bodies, add point 3.4 and 8.2.3 Revised to include DAC
1 5 Policy on re-accreditation and surveillance 17-09-2007
2 1 Addition of scope, clarifying DAC policy and requirements on minimum PT 25-03-2008
participation for applicant and accredited labs and addition of DAC requirements
regarding number of witnesses of CBs for scope expansion purposes.
3 1 Re-issued to reflect the new DAC organizational structure. 15-06-2008
3 2 Add a new paragraphs no. 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5.4 and 5.5 which give proper 12-01-2009
information regarding the new scheme "CBs". In addition to change paragraph
4.2 regarding PT scheme as per request to amend document no. 15 & 17/2008
4 1 Document amended and issued with new name and amendments and addition 04-02-2010
of various clauses as per request to amend document no. 1/2010
4 2 Revising the witness requirements for CBs 31-08-2010
5 0 Re-issue as a result of document review process 05-10-2010
5 1 Revised due to changing the name of DAC-Req-03 and deleting Req-2, Issuing 04-12-2011
a new requirement for Inspection Bodies, changing the name of DAC-Req-04
and issuing a new requirement DAC-Req-014 for CB (Annex1)
5 2 Revised in paragraphs: (2), (3), (4), (9), (12) and Annex one, all changes marked 06-09-2012
in teal color and italic font.

This is an official document of DAC; The Printed copy of this document shall be treated as ‘Uncontrolled’. Always refer to the controlled
version Online.
 DUBAI ACCREDITATION DEPARTMENT – DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

CONTENTS

1 Definitions……………………………………………………………… 3
2 Scope ….………………………………………………………………. 4
3 Accreditation Requirements..………………………………………… 5
4 Granting of Accreditation………………………….………….………. 6
5 Obligations of the CABs ………………………………….…………. 6
6 Use of Accreditation Certificate …...………………………………… 7
7 Announced/ Unannounced Surveillance Visit……………………… 7
8 Re-Assessment Visits ………………………………………………... 7
9 Suspension, Withdrawal, or Reduction of Accreditation Scope….. 7
10 Rights of Appeals by CABs ………………………………………….. 9
11 Notification of Change ………………………………………..…….... 9
12 Indemnity …………………………………………………………….... 9
13 References……………………………………………………………... 10
Annex (1) ………………………………………………………………. 11

1 DEFINITIONS

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1.1 Accreditation
Formal third party recognition that a body fulfils specified requirements and is
competent to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks.
1.2 Accreditation body
Authoritative body that performs accreditation; here it is DAC.
1.3 Accreditation certificate
Formal document or a set of documents, stating that accreditation has been
granted for the defined scope.
1.4 Accreditation symbol1
A symbol issued by an accreditation body to be used by accredited CABs to
indicate their accredited status.
1.5 Appeal
Request by a CAB for reconsideration of any adverse decision made by the
accreditation body related to its desired accreditation status
1.6 Assessment
Process undertaken by an accreditation body to assess the competence of a
CAB based on particular standard(s)and/or other normative documents and for
a defined scope of accreditation.
1.7 Conformity Assessment Body (CAB)
Body that performs conformity assessment services such as: calibration, testing
including medical, inspection, management systems certification, personnel
certification and product certification. Namely: laboratories (including medical
laboratories), inspection bodies and certification bodies
1.8 Interested parties
Parties with a direct or indirect interest in accreditation.
Direct interest refers to the interest of those who undergo accreditation; indirect
interest refers to the interests of those who use or rely on accredited conformity
assessment services.
1.9 Reducing accreditation
Process of withdrawing an accreditation for part of the scope.
1.10 Scope of accreditation
Specific tasks for which accreditation is sought or has been granted.
1.11 Surveillance
Set of activities, except reassessment, to monitor the continued fulfillment by
accredited CABs of requirements for accreditation.

1.12 Suspending accreditation

1
The word symbol is used instead of Mark since “Mark” is to be reserved to indicate conformity of a
product

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Process of temporarily making an accreditation invalid, in full or for part of the

scope.
1.13 Withdrawing accreditation
Process of terminating an accreditation in full.
1.14 Witnessing
Observation of the CAB carrying out tasks within its scope of accreditation.
1.15 Proficiency Testing Program
Determination of laboratory testing performance by means of inter-laboratory
comparisons

1.16 Measurement Audit

A practical test whereby a well characterized and calibrated test item (artifact) is
sent to a single laboratory and the results are compared with a reference value.

2 SCOPE
2.1 This document stipulates the general accreditation requirements for
Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) to be fulfilled in order to get
accreditation under DAC accreditation programs.
2.2 All CABs are required to comply with relevant DAC accreditation requirements
including this document along with main accreditation criteria. CABs are also
required to comply with relevant ILAC/IAF/PAC documents.
2.3 DAC follows the ILAC/ IAF Cross-Frontier accreditation policies for
accreditations in other countries.
2.4 DAC offers accreditation for all types of CABs according to the latest edition of
the following accreditation criteria, subject to availability of resources within
DAC:
2.4.1 ISO/IEC 17020 "General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies
performing inspection" - for Inspection Bodies.
2.4.2 ISO/IEC 17024 "General requirements for bodies operating assessment and
certification/ registration of personnel" - for Personnel Certification Bodies.
2.4.3 ISO/IEC 17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories" – for laboratories.
2.4.4 ISO 15189 "Medical Laboratories - Particular requirements for quality and
competence".
2.4.5 ISO/IEC 17021 “Conformity assessment — Requirements for bodies providing
audit and certification of management systems".
2.4.6 ISO/IEC 22003 "Food safety management systems — Requirements for
bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems”.
2.4.7 ISO/IEC Guide 65 "General requirements for bodies operating product
certification systems" - for Product Certification Bodies.
In addition to other relevant Criteria of Competence published by DAC.

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to the controlled version Online.
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2.4.8 DAC defines specific technical requirements for competence regarding

personnel; equipment, test methods, quality control and reporting for each
type of CAB within their respective requirements’ documents as mentioned in
annex (1).

3 ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS
3.1 Cooperation with DAC
3.1.1 The CAB shall provide DAC and its representatives and assessors the
necessary assistance, cooperation and access to relevant areas of CAB, for
witnessing of conformity assessment activities and to undertake any
reasonable check to verify the capability and competence of the CAB
including preparation, packaging and dispatch of test items, samples or other
items needed by DAC for verification purposes.
3.2 Safety
3.2.1 The CAB shall accept the responsibility for the safety of DAC authorized
representatives and assessors in conducting activities related to accreditation,
and provide all relevant safety or protective clothing or equipment and
disclosing to them any hazards.
3.3 Management System
3.3.1 The CABs applying for accreditation shall have Management System
incompliance with the relevant standards. Management system documents
and records shall be in Arabic or English language.
3.3.2 Before accreditation assessment visit the CAB shall have conducted at least
one full internal audit and one management review.
3.4 Confidentiality
3.4.1 DAC shall maintain confidentiality of information related to CABs and shall not
disclose confidential information to any third party without prior written
consent by the CAB unless it is otherwise required by any governmental law
enforcement agency by following through proper governmental channels
/under any applicable Dubai or UAE laws. The information related to CABs
may also be disclosed to ILAC/ IAF/ PAC & governmental inspection teams
during their evaluations on DAC.
3.5 Proficiency testing schemes “for laboratories only”
3.5.1 DAC defines the minimum amount of participation in proficiency testing
schemes for its applicants and accredited laboratories in relevant technical
requirement(s) for each scope of accreditation.
3.5.2 For cases where DAC has not issued any particular technical requirement; the
minimum amount of participation in proficiency testing schemes shall be as
follows:
• One activity prior to gaining Accreditation to each major sub discipline of a
laboratory’s scope of accreditation,

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• One activity relating to each minor sub discipline of a laboratory’s scope of

accreditation within 3 years, a plan of the 3 years cycle of PTP participation
shall be available.
Note: PT activities include measurement audits.
3.5.3 Applicant laboratory is required to submit the information to DAC on
participation in proficiency testing at least one month or on agreed time prior
to commencement of the onsite assessment.
4 GRANTING OF ACCREDITATION
4.1 Accreditation shall be granted to the CAB after successful assessment &
subsequent decision making, and upon the payment of relevant fees.
4.2 Regular announced/ unannounced surveillance visits shall be conducted to
ensure that CAB complies with the Accreditation criteria.
4.3 The Accreditation is valid for a period of three years and shall be renewed
after re-assessment subject to continuing compliance with Accreditation
criteria and payment of fees.

5 OBLIGATIONS OF THE CABs

The accredited CAB shall:
5.1 Use DAC Accreditation Symbol for the accredited scope according to the
relevant DAC Requirement “DAC-REQ-05”.
5.2 At all times comply with the relevant criteria of competence and DAC
Requirements.
5.3 Claim that it is accredited only with respect to the scope for which it has been
granted accreditation.
5.4 Pay fees on time.
5.5 Not use its accreditation in such manner as to bring DAC into disrepute, and
shall not make any statement relevant to its accreditation, which DAC may
consider as misleading.
5.6 Make it clear in all its contracts with clients that the CAB's accreditation, or
any of its reports, in no way, by themselves, constitutes or imply that end-
product or service is approved by DAC.
5.7 Endeavor to ensure that valid complaints from third parties are promptly
investigated and resolved in accordance with the CAB's policies and
procedures for handling complaints.
5.8 Use its best endeavors to ensure that no part of its accreditation shall be used
by a client, or be authorized by a client for use, for promotional or publicity
purposes, in a way that DAC may reasonably consider misleading.
5.9 Assist DAC in the investigation and resolution of any complaints made by third
parties about the CAB accredited activities.

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to the controlled version Online.
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5.10 Visit DAC website weekly to get up dated information about new or revised
“Requirement” or “Guidance” documents.

6. USE OF ACCREDITATION CERTIFICATE

6.1 The CAB is not allowed, to alter or modify the Accreditation Certificate.
6.2 The CAB may copy the Accreditation Certificate provided that each copy is
clearly identified as a copy.
6.3 The Accreditation Certificate remains the property of DAC and must be
returned immediately if requested by DAC.

7. ANNOUNCED/ UNANNOUNCED SURVEILLANCE VISITS

7.1 The accredited CAB shall be subject to an announced/ unannounced
surveillance visits that will be carried out at least once per year.
7.2 Additional special visits may be carried out at the discretion of DAC and as
the need arises.

8. RE-ASSESSMENT VISITS
A re-assessment visit shall be conducted before the end of the validity of the
accreditation certificate, covering the whole scope of accreditation in order to
renew the accreditation.

9 SUSPENSION, WITHDRAWAL, OR REDUCTION OF ACCREDITATION

SCOPE
9.1 Voluntary Reduction or Withdrawal of Accreditation by CAB
Accredited CAB may withdraw from a specific scope of accreditation or
terminate its accreditation at any time by giving prior notice to DAC. DAC will
take decision and inform the CAB about conditions of acceptance of such
request. The CAB is required to clear all dues and associated costs in this
regard.
9.2 Suspension of Accreditation Scope
9.2.1 The CAB may be suspended if it involves in situations that include, but are not
limited to the following:
1. Nonconformity that causes total collapse in implementation of accreditation
criteria that affect the quality of work.
2. Non payment of fees on due date.
3. Misuse of DAC symbol in reports/ certificates.
4. Unethical practices such as issue of reports/ certificates without actual
work.
5. Failure to resolve nonconformance.
6. Significant changes to accreditation without prior notification to DAC (refer
to clause 11 of this document).

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to the controlled version Online.
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7. Negative outcome of a complaint investigation.

8. when the CAB is found to provide certification to any standards used as a

basis for accreditation of CABS such as ISO 17025, ISO 15189, ISO
17020 etc.
9.2.2 Reinstatement of suspension can take place after the CAB has taken
corrective actions to eliminate the matter of suspension within two months
from the date of suspension or within six months if extension in suspension
time was granted by DAC.
9.3 Reduction of Accreditation Scope
DAC shall make decisions to reduce the scope of accreditation of the CAB to
exclude those parts where the CAB has persistently failed to meet the
requirements for accreditation, including competence.
9.4 Withdrawal of Accreditation Scope
The accreditation of CAB may be withdrawn if it involves in situations that
include, but are not limited to the following:
9.4.1 Failure in taking corrective action(s) to eliminate the matter of suspension
within two months from the date of suspension. The suspension period can
be extended up to six months depends upon the acceptance of any such
request made by the CAB due to its inability to implement corrective action(s)
within specified time, or in case when CAB has requested voluntary
suspension due to temporary closure of its activities or any other valid
reasons.
9.4.2 Total collapse in implementation of accreditation criteria that affect the quality
of work.
9.5 Actions to be Taken Once Accreditation is Suspended/ Reduced or
Withdrawn
9.5.1 All instances of suspension, reduction and withdrawal of accreditation will be
publicized by DAC, including but not limited to notices being placed on DAC
website.
9.5.2 In case of suspension; the CAB shall not use DAC accreditation symbol on
test report/ certificate.
9.5.3 In case of withdrawal of accreditation; the CAB must return to DAC the copies
of Accreditation Certificate, and must stop all advertising promotions or
publications of the fact of Accreditation,
9.5.4 The CAB must take any steps reasonably required by DAC to notify staff,
customers, and suppliers about the reduction or withdrawal of accreditation,
9.5.5 The management system certification body must re-call all ISO 9001, ISO
14001, ISO 22000, OHSAS 18001, HACCP and any other certificates issued
under the DAC accreditation scheme bearing DAC accreditation symbol.

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to the controlled version Online.
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9.5.6 The CAB must immediately take all other necessary steps to ensure that
interested parties are not misled to believe that the accreditation has not been
suspended, reduced or withdrawn,
9.5.7 Ending an accreditation, either by voluntary withdrawal or through the
suspension and withdrawal process, will not preclude a CAB from applying for
accreditation at a future date.
10 Rights of Appeals by CAB
10.1 The CAB has the right to appeal for any of the following decisions made by
DAC:
• Refusal to accept an application,
• Refusal to proceed with an assessment,
• Corrective action requests,
• Changes in accreditation scope,
• Decisions to deny, suspend or withdraw accreditation and
• Any other action that impedes the attainment of accreditation desired by
the CAB
10.2 DAC procedure on “Handling Appeals by the CABs” which contains details for
such appeals is available on DAC website at www.dac.gov.ae .

11 NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE
11.1 The CAB shall inform DAC immediately in writing about any significant
changes.
11.2 Such significant changes relate to but not limited to any of the following:
a. Legal, commercial, ownership or organizational status;
b. Top management and key personnel;
c. Main policies;
d. Resources and premises;
e. Scope of accreditation;
f. Other such matters that may affect the CAB’s ability to fulfill requirements
for accreditation.

12 INDEMNITY
The CAB must indemnify DAC from and against all expenses, losses,
damages and costs that DAC may sustain or incur as a result directly or
indirectly of any loss or damage to any property or injury or death of any
person caused by negligent act or omission or willful misconduct by the CAB
in connection with accreditation activities. The CAB shall also indemnify DAC
from any such claims by the CAB against DAC for directly or indirectly of any
loss or damage to any property or injury or death of any person caused by
negligent act or omission by the DAC and its assessment teams.

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to the controlled version Online.
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13. REFERENCES
13.1 Law No. 2/ 2010 regarding arranging the operation of conformity assessment
bodies operating in the Emirate of Dubai.
13.2 ISO/ IEC 17011 Conformity assessment / General requirements for
Accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies
13.3 ISO/IEC 17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories" – for laboratories.
13.4 ISO 15189 “Medical Laboratories - Particular requirements for quality and
competence”
13.5 ISO/IEC Guide 65 "General requirements for bodies operating product
certification systems" - for Product Certification Bodies.
13.6 ISO/ IEC 17020 “General criteria for the operation of various types of
Inspection bodies”,
13.7 ISO/IEC 17024 "General requirements for bodies operating assessment and
certification/ registration of personnel" - for Personnel Certification Bodies.
13.8 ISO/ IEC 17021 "Conformity Assessment Requirements for Bodies Providing
Audit and Certification of Management Systems and Environmental
Systems".
13.9 ISO/IEC 22003 "Food safety management systems — Requirements for
bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems”.
13.10 IAF Guidance on the Cross Frontier Accreditation, IAF GD 3”,
13.11 IAF Guidance on the application of ISO/ IEC Guide 65: 1996 "General
requirements for bodies operating product certification systems, IAF GD 5",
13.12 IAF Guidance on the application of ISO/ IEC 17024 "Conformity assessment-
general requirements for bodies operating certification of persons,
IAF GD 24”.

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to the controlled version Online.
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 DUBAI ACCREDITATION DEPARTMENT – DUBAI MUNICIPALITY

Annex (1)
DAC Requirements for Accreditation
CAB’s type Related Requirement Requirement No.
Testing and Accreditation Requirements for Food & DAC-Req-03
Calibration Environmental Laboratories
Laboratories Accreditation Requirements for Construction DAC-Req-04
Materials & Geo-technical Investigation Testing
Laboratories
Accreditation Requirements For Calibration DAC-Req-11
Laboratories
Medical Accreditation Requirements For Medical Field of DAC-REQ-10
Laboratories Testing
Inspection Accreditation Requirements of Inspection Bodies for DAC-Req-06
Bodies Lifting Equipment
Accreditation Requirements of Inspection Bodies for DAC-Req-8
Pressure Vessels and Boilers
Certification Accreditation Requirements Of Certification Bodies DAC-REQ-07
Bodies For Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS) etc
Accreditation Requirements of Certification Bodies DAC-REQ-09
For Products
Specific Accreditation Requirements of Certification Supplementary
Bodies For Construction Products Requirement (No.1)
for DAC-REQ-09
Accreditation Requirements of Certification Bodies DAC-REQ-12
of Management Systems Certifications
(ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 etc)
Accreditation Requirements for Certification Bodies DAC-REQ-14
of Certification of Persons

DAC Guidance for Accreditation:

Guidance
Publication Title
number
Policy on Uncertainty of Measurements as Required by the ISO/ IEC DAC-G1
17025
Accreditation Services Fees Structure DAC-G2
Traceability on Measurement and Calibration of Instruments DAC-G3
DAC Policy on Cross Frontier Accreditation DAC-G4
Guidance for Statistical Evaluation of Inter-laboratory Proficiency Testing DAC-G5
Program

This is an official document of DAC; The Printed copy of this document shall be treated as ‘Uncontrolled’. Always refer
to the controlled version Online.
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