Gaborone, Botswana – 9 June 2026
The Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) proudly joins the global community in commemorating World Accreditation Day 2026, held annually on 9 June. This year’s theme, “Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation”, underscores the vital role accreditation plays in enabling innovation, building trust, and supporting a more sustainable future.
Driving Innovation
In today’s rapidly evolving global economy, businesses must innovate to remain competitive while meeting stringent compliance requirements. Accreditation provides the assurance that conformity assessment bodies operate with competence, impartiality, and reliability. By verifying systems and processes, accreditation enables innovation to progress safely and responsibly, ensuring that new technologies and solutions are trusted by regulators, markets, and consumers alike.
Building Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of trade, consumer confidence, and institutional credibility. Accreditation strengthens this trust by offering independent oversight that validates the quality and reliability of products, services, and institutions. Through internationally recognized accreditation schemes, SADCAS ensures that conformity assessment results are accepted across borders, reducing duplication of checks and facilitating smoother access to foreign markets.
Supporting Sustainability
As sustainability becomes a defining priority for governments, businesses, and consumers, accreditation plays a critical role in verifying environmental claims and supporting responsible practices. By ensuring that sustainability standards are credibly assessed, accreditation helps organizations demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
SADCAS Milestones
Now in its 17th year of operation, SADCAS continues to expand its reach and impact with accreditations in 13 of the 14 member-states under its operational boundaries and 3 outside the region (Burundi, Mauritius, and Uganda). In addition, our service offering has been extended to include accreditation of Proficiency Testing providers. With average 50 applications at various stages of processing, this reflects a strong and growing demand for accreditation services.
Capacity building remains central to SADCAS mission. To date, the organization has conducted 240 training courses across most SADC Member States, equipping conformity assessment bodies with the skills needed to meet international standards. These efforts align with the SADC Industrial Policy, focusing on priority sectors and value chains critical to regional development.
Global Reach
Seven of the nine accreditation schemes offered by SADCAS are internationally recognized. This global recognition means that certificates issued by SADCAS for testing, calibration, medical laboratories, inspection bodies, and management systems certification are accepted worldwide. For SADC Member States, this translates into enhanced market access, reduced trade barriers, and greater participation in global value chains.
Looking Ahead
World Accreditation Day 2026 is a reminder that accreditation is more than a technical process—it is a strategic enabler of innovation, trust, and sustainability. As SADCAS continues to broaden its scope and strengthen its services, it reaffirms its commitment to supporting regional integration, facilitating trade, and building a resilient quality infrastructure for the future.
For more information, please visit: www.sadcas.org
Or contact: Communications and Public Relations Office – bbadubi@sadcas.org
