Raj Nathan elected vice chair of APAC

Raj Nathan, president of the International Accreditation Service (IAS), was elected vice-chair of the Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC) during the APAC General Assembly meeting in June 2022 by the APAC Executive Committee and members of APAC. The Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation is an association of accreditation bodies that are operating in the economies of the Asia Pacific Region.

“It is an honor and privilege to be the vice-chair of APAC with its legacy extending several decades now,” said Nathan. “As the largest regional accreditation cooperation within the ILAC/IAF structure, I see APAC leadership working to bring our diverse and far-flung members in the region more closely connected and APAC to be an innovative group.”

This is viewed as a testament of APAC’s recognition of IAS’ continued and active work within the Asia Pacific family of members as well as the technical and professional contributions of IAS’s staff and assessors. This election will give Nathan a greater voice in shaping APAC’s strategic direction as well as working to encourage members of APAC to think and act openly to promote trade across the region and the world, underpinned by good conformity assessment practices.

Due to this election, Nathan will also be serving in the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Executive Committee (board), which allows even more possibilities to engage with global membership far beyond the Asia Pacific region. Naturally, serving in these organizations provides good insights on global best practices while engaging with fellow Executive Committee members, and, perhaps, influences the direction not only of IAF, but also the future joint organization emerging from IAF and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

The Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation has 52 full members across 31 economies that are APAC MRA signatories; 13 Associate Members across 11 economies; and 12 Affiliates across 10 economies. APAC is recognized as a regional accreditation cooperation by the IAF and ILAC.