Speech of SASO Governor,

Chairman of the Saudi Accreditation Committee (SAC),

Dr. Saad bin Othman al-Kasabi

on World Accreditation Day

Sunday, 6 Shawwal 1440 AH/ June 9, 2019

            Accreditation is considered one of the central elements in the national quality infrastructure system. It enables relevant bodies to ensure the efficiency of conformity assessment bodies and verify their eligibility to play their important role in providing their services and contributing to economic growth and industrial development. In addition, the accreditation importance is growing in the light of what our precious country is witnessing of transformation programs of an ambitious vision.

            The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by Saudi Accreditation Committee (SAC), is participating in this year's event under the slogan "Accreditation: gives added value to the supply chains", confirming the main role of accreditation in providing the means and guarantees that achieve the highest safety and security for the use of products in markets.

            By the end of 2018, SAC had approved (86) conformity assessment bodies of test and calibration laboratories and inspection bodies. In addition, the regulation project of (Saudi Accreditation Center) was submitted to the higher authority for approval, in preparation for the independence of SAC and its transformation into an independent national center.

            SAC has also completed the digital transformation of the accreditation activity, which has greatly contributed to enabling beneficiaries, assessors and members of committees to obtain services of SAC, complete accreditation procedures, and follow-up applications electronically during the accreditation process easily and readily. This has contributed to reducing the period of the accreditation process from the approximate average of (260) days at the start of implementation of the system in 2016 to (175) days during 2018.

            To establish the active presence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in scientific forums and international events in all scientific and technical fields, including accreditation, the higher authority has approved the accession of SAC to International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF), which will contribute to the standardization of international standards and practices in this field, and will achieve the leadership of the Kingdom in this area - God willing. Furthermore, the Kingdom participates, through SASO and SAC, in international meetings, conferences and workshops related to accreditation activities.

            On this occasion, I would like to send a message of thanks and appreciation to all specialists and workers in the fields of accreditation; sons and daughters of the Kingdom for their efforts to promote the activities of accreditation in our dear country, and with their assistance, we achieve aspirations.

Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you,,