TOP PAGE Message from The Chairman Outline of JAB Medium Term Strategic Plan Access Organization List of Names Contributor Organizaitons of Endownment		The Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment Medium Term Strategic Plan March 7, 2003 MISSION We, JAB, will fulfill our role as the central entity for the establishment and development of conformity assessment schemes in Japan, always in harmony with the international conformity assessment community. 1. JAB's Articles of Association, Article 3 - Objectives: The objectives of JAB are to establish and develop conformity assessment schemes in Japan and to achieve mutual recognition arrangements with accreditation bodies abroad, through which to promote and contribute to the sound development of Japanese industry and the economy. We do this by: operating accreditation programs, and maintaining a public register of accredited registration and certification bodies and laboratories that undertake conformity assessment against Japanese Industrial Standards, international standards or technical criteria specified by law; operating accreditation programs and maintaining a public register of accredited auditor training bodies; and publication of organizations registered as the result of third-party conformity assessment. 2. JABÁ‚s Policy for the operation of the above activities: If the activities relating to conformity assessment operated by management system registration bodies, product/ personnel certification bodies and laboratories utilize standards whose fundamental concepts and framework are based on Japanese Industrial Standards or international standards, and if such standards are in conformity with Japanese Industrial Standards or international standards in substance or to a substantial extent, such activities may be considered as being in line with the objectives of JAB, i.e., the establishment and development of conformity assessment schemes and mutual recognition arrangements with accreditation bodies abroad. JAB can therefore undertake accreditation of such bodies. OPERATIONAL POLICIES It is the policy of JAB to: 1. provide the market with value added and timely accreditation services by: - identifying timely market needs and developing and implementing appropriate accreditation programs; and - continually improving the quality of its accreditation services and their efficiency and offering accreditation services satisfactory to both direct and indirect clients. 2. make it possible for the users of accreditation and conformity assessment to benefit from mutual recognition arrangements; 3. promote further disclosure of information to ensure the transparency of activities; 4. promote dissemination activities to deepen the understanding and recognition of JABÁ‚s conformity assessment schemes and to make the schemes take root and expand soundly further in the market; and 5. maintain active exchanges with relevant bodies both in Japan and abroad. In order to provide the services described above, make available the necessary management resources. If necessary for the consolidation/ development of accreditation services, a further amendment of the Articles of Association will be considered. MEDIUM TERM AGENDA AND MEASURES There are ever-increasing expectations for JAB to continue its efforts to extend, consolidate and develop further conformity assessment schemes in Japan. We are determined to improve our operating systems and the competence of our personnel to obtain the best results with minimum resources. General 1. proactively respond to demand for new areas, such as inspection body accreditation, and ensure that the required resources are made available from the corporate resources of JAB, within reasonable limits; 2. regularly review the schedule of fees and dues against global market trends and other indicators to ensure that they remain appropriate for the provision of assessment activities; 3. ensure that the feedback system for opinions and complaints received from users of these schemes continues to function effectively; and 4. send out and receive appropriate information and contribute to the sound development of these schemes. Management System Registration Body Accreditation Division 1. We, JAB, will through our accreditation activities, promote increased value adding and reliability in management system assessment activities and registration schemes; and 2. maintain dialogue with users and other interested parties and develop timely accreditation programs responding to the needs of individual industrial sectors. Laboratory Accreditation Division 1. We, JAB, will expand and consolidate accreditation activities in response to market needs and 2. improve the quality of laboratory accreditation by enhancing the level of competence of individual staff, assessors and committee members in their areas of expertise and by improving the mix of skills available. Product Certification Body Accreditation Division 1. We, JAB, will work to ensure the smooth introduction of new programs in various fields and promote the expansion of the accreditation scheme for product certification bodies; 2. endeavor to achieve the expansion and development of this scheme by applying it in regulated areas; and 3. make prior investment of our resources in new areas identified in our vision as areas where we should be active. Accreditation Based on the Law and Evaluation as a Designated Accreditation Assessment Body 1. We, JAB, will promote the smooth introduction of activities as a Designated Accreditation Assessment Body in regard to Agreements between the European Community and Japan and between Singapore and Japan on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment; and 2. take a proactive approach to similar laws that are expected to be enforced. General Affairs Division 1. We, JAB, will ensure a financially stable business operation and establish a financial foundation strong enough to support the establishment of new activities; 2. ensure an optimal personnel allocation, with an appropriate skill profile and age composition, to meet the needs of our programs, having in our perspective transition to the next generation in the near future; and 3. implement a risk management system. ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2003ÁæQuality Policy and Quality ObjectivesÁè This year being the Tenth Anniversary of JAB, a turning point, the quality system will be reviewed from a new perspective Taking into consideration the establishment of ISO 17011 and 19011, we, JAB will review our procedures including the simplification and harmonization of existing procedures and the quality manual, and the establishment of any new procedures required. Timely provision to the market of value adding accreditation services 1. Responding to the needs of the market, we will develop new programs after careful assessment of their effectiveness and viability and provide appropriate accreditation services. Depending on the fields of activities, program development may be carried out jointly with other bodies, so that the management resouces are effectively deployed and technical competence is also improved. - A management system registration body assessment with more focus on performance will be promoted for dissemination, thus contributing to improvement of the effectiveness of the accreditation services; - Assurance of a smooth implementation of evaluation activities as a Designated Accreditation Assessment Body under Agreements between the European Community and Japan and between Singapore and Japan on Mutual Recognition in relation to Conformity Assessment. - To proceed with the preparation for an accreditation program for inspection bodies, and with regard to laboratory accreditation activities, give priority to programs in the fields of food products and non-destructive testing. - To proceed with the development of accreditation programs for product certification bodies/ management systems registration bodies operating certification of the voluntary inspection of welding under the Electric Utility Industry Law. - Recognizing the CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) schemes as activities related to EMS accreditation and cooperate through offering appropriate accreditation assessors. 2. We will implement training programs for our personnel and accreditation assessors and improve our quality as one of the top-ranking accreditation bodies in the world. 3. We will ensure the smooth start-up of the data processing system for supporting accreditation activities, ensure it produces results, extend its application to all departments and promote consolidation of the functions of the system. 4. We will continue this year our review of the schedule of fees and dues relative to the accreditation of management system registration bodies. Assurance of the transparency of JAB's activities and disclosure of information 1. We, JAB, will define the criteria for the publication of information, including the disclosure of information on how complaints are addressed, and enhance confidence in conformity assessment schemes through the appropriate publication of information. 2. We will continue the development and consolidation of our Internet website as a tool for interactive communications. 3. We will define our policy and procedures on risk management, and ensure thee are rigorously followed Assurance that users of accreditation and conformity assessment can enjoy benefits from mutual recognition agreements 1. We, JAB, will promote activities to ensure that users can enjoy the benefits of mutual recognition agreements, through cooperation with Mutual Recognition Groups under IAF/ ILAC. -To conclude an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with ANSI/ RAB and harvest the fruits of joint assessments. -To prepare for joint assessments with an American accreditation body, A2LA, based on an MOU in the fields of EMC (electro-magnetic compatibility), calibration, etc. 2. We will achieve membership of new Mutual Recognition Groups within IAF/ PAC for the accreditation of EMS registration bodies and within ILAC/ APLAC for calibration laboratories. 3. We will continue efforts to persuade relevant authorities to apply conformity assessment schemes developed for voluntary areas also in regulated areas, and will work to win their confidence. Proactive promotion of contacts with domestic and overseas interested bodies 1. We, JAB, will reinforce cooperation with accreditation bodies in China and Korea and enhance the quality and competence of our human resource through linkages with accreditation bodies in these countries. 2. We will actively participate in the activities of IAF/ ILAC/ PAC/ APLAC/ IATCA, etc. Smooth promotion of JABÁ‚s Tenth Anniversary events PDF File