IACLD Statement in the ILAC/IAF World Accreditation Day 2025 Brochure

Theme: Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises(SMEs)
According to available information, ILAC and IAF have selected and published a contribution from the Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD) in the official brochure for World Accreditation Day 2025. This brochure is accessible via this article.

In preparation for this brochure, ILAC and IAF conducted a survey among all member accreditation bodies, seeking insights on the role and impact of accreditation on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). From the submissions received globally, a selection was made for publication, including the contribution from IACLD.

This document provides a detailed overview of IACLD's perspectives as featured in the brochure, highlighting the significance of accreditation in supporting SMEs within the medical laboratory sector.

Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

According to the World Trade Organization1, 95% of businesses around the world are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with less than 250 employees. They account for 60-70% of employment and 55% of gross domestic product (GDP) in developed economies, while SMEs contribute up to 40% of gross national income (GNI) in emerging economies. There are about 365-445 million SMEs in emerging markets alone. SMEs are therefore a critical part of the global economy and they play an important role in the wider ecosystem of commerce. Startups and young firms are the primary source of new job creation in many economies. In emerging markets, 7 out of 10 jobs are generated by SMEs. They are often the driving force of innovation and sustainability in the private sector. They also have a fundamental role to play in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example to ‘promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all’ (goal 8) and to ‘build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation’ (goal 9). C M Y CM MY CY CMY K But despite providing a significant share of global employment, SMEs still face major challenges when it comes to competition from larger organisations, access to finance, managing rising costs, and compliance costs and barriers to access new markets. The theme of this year’s World Accreditation Day focusses on how accreditation, and the wider quality infrastructure system, can empower SMEs. We will explore how accreditation can provide a platform for growth. It offers a framework that demonstrates quality assurance, drives product and process innovation, and creates efficient and sustainable supply chains. The recognition and acceptance of accredited conformity assessment results allows SMEs to derive a competitive advantage and to compete on a level playing field with more established larger operators in the market. Simultaneously, the global accreditation arrangements open up export opportunities through the cross-border acceptance of results.

Building Trust

In today’s fast-paced and competitive marketplace, businesses strive to differentiate themselves and earn customer trust. One of the most effective ways to showcase a company’s capabilities is through the implementation of standards and third-party conformity assessments, which verify compliance with these standards. Accreditation serves as an external validation for organisations providing conformity assessment services, such as testing, calibration, validation/verification, inspection, and certification. By evaluating the competence and impartiality of these bodies, accreditation adds an extra layer of quality assurance, ensuring that products, services, and processes meet established criteria. Accreditation simplifies trade at both national and international levels by eliminating the need for buyers to independently verify organisations, their products, processes, systems and other key elements. Instead, they can rely on test reports, certificates and other forms of accredited conformity assessment issued by accredited laboratories and certification bodies. This not only streamlines decision-making but also instils confidence in consumers, regulators, and stakeholders, reinforcing trust in the marketplace. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K This allows SMEs to compete with larger companies by providing a recognised stamp of authority and credibility, which can help them gain access to larger markets, secure contracts with discerning clients, and build trust with potential customers. It therefore levels the playing field, allowing smaller businesses to compete with organisations with established brands and reputations. In many industries, the use of accredited conformity assessment is a prerequisite for doing business or creating partnerships. SMEs can gain an edge over competitors, thereby opening doors to new markets and positioning themselves well to bid for contracts and tenders

CASE STUDY

Driving quality and workplace skills of SME medical laboratories in Iran

Competent medical laboratories are critical to an effective healthcare system. They provide essential services, such as disease diagnosis, cost-effective healthcare, preventive measures, and data for medical research. Some medical laboratories in Iran are SMEs, however, they are faced with limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient expertise in accreditation processes. These challenges are compounded by economic sanctions, which have restricted access to foreign investments, technologies and materials. The Iranian Association of Clinical Laboratory Doctors (IACLD), an Iranian accreditation body, therefore introduced a phased accreditation process to empower SMEs, including training and assessments to provide a staged and manageable pathway toward accreditation. As well as elevating standards and the quality of diagnostics, this pathway to accreditation has improved public trust in their services, improved skills in the workplace, and provided access to financial incentives, partnerships, and growth opportunities, ensuring the survival and expansion of these small businesses.

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