Accreditation is the formal recognition by an ‘accreditation authority’ to the technical and organizational competence of a conformity assessment body, to carry out a ‘specific service’ in accordance with the standards and technical regulations, as described in their ‘scope of accreditation’. It provides a means to identify a proven, competent evaluator so that the selection of a laboratory, inspection or certification body is an informed choice.
Certification is the procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product, process, system, or person conforms to specified requirements.