Accreditation bodies normally do not audit and certify ordinary companies directly. They assess whether certification bodies, verification bodies, inspection bodies or laboratories are competent to perform particular activities.

SAC and CNAS participate in international mutual-recognition arrangements through organisations such as IAF, ILAC and APAC. Where the applicable activity is covered by the relevant MLA or MRA and falls within the conformity-assessment body’s valid accreditation scope, the results have a recognised basis for international equivalence and cross-border acceptance.

This does not mean that every SAC-accredited result automatically replaces every CNAS-accredited result. Acceptance still depends on the standard, scheme, industry scope, importing-country rules and customer contract. SAC-accredited services are particularly familiar in Singapore, Southeast Asia and international supply chains, while CNAS-accredited services are widely used for Chinese regulatory, procurement and domestic-market purposes.

I have experience with assignments associated with Singapore regulatory, SAC-recognised and international certification frameworks. Subject to appointment by an authorised certification or verification body, I may participate as a Lead Auditor, Lead Verifier or core audit-team member within that body’s accredited scope.

Companies should always check three items: the accreditation body, the accreditation or certificate number, and whether the required standard and sector are included in the published scope.