The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognized by government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organizations that provide certification services.

UKAS is licensed by BIS to use and confer the national accreditation symbols (formerly national accreditation marks) which symbolize Government recognition of the accreditation process.

UKAS accreditation provides an assurance of the competence, impartiality and integrity of conformity assessment bodies. UKAS accredited certification, testing and calibration and inspection reduces the need for suppliers to be assessed by each of their customers. UKAS’ involvement in international groups provides for mutual recognition which further reduces the need for multiple assessments of suppliers and as a consequence helps to reduce barriers to trade. It is therefore BIS policy to recommend the use of UKAS accredited conformity assessment services whenever this is an option

As an IAF (International Accreditation Forum) member, UKAS accreditation is recognized internationally.

Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of these evaluators and operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Government through the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and is  guaranteed to be recognized by ALL EU Member State

Accreditation by UKAS means that certification bodies have been assessed against internationally recognized standards to demonstrate their competence, impartiality and performance capability