Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO)

PAO
PAO Accredited
Accredited
Conformity Assessment Bodies
Conformity Assessment Bodies
(CABs)
(CABs)
*SeeAccreditat
ective RespectiveioaProgram
Accreditation
Program

About PAO By virtue of Department Administrative Order (DAO)

PAO Governing Board No. 04:2006 signed by the Secretary of Trade and
Recognition Arrangements Industry, the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) was
Complaints and Appeals created and mandated to handle the accreditation of
certification bodies, inspection bodies, testing and calibration
Frequently Asked Questions
laboratories. the Bureau of Product Standards Accreditation
General Accreditation Scheme (BAS) and BPS Laboratory Accreditation Scheme
Process Flow (BPSLAS).
(FAQ)
PAO Governing Board/
Advisory Council
PAO operates directly under the supervision of the Office
Complaints and Appeals of the Undersecretary of the Consumer Welfare and Trade
CONTACTon Regulation Group (CWTRG) of the Department of Trade
tact UsS and Industry (DTI).
_________________________
Other offices attached to DTI and considered as related
bodies to PAO are the: Bureau of Product Standards, Bureau
Accreditation Programs of Import Services, Bureau of Trade Regulations and
* General Accreditation Consumer Protection, Philippine Shipper’s Bureau,
Process Flow Construction Industry Association of the Philippines, Center
*Testing/Calibration for Industrial Competitiveness, Small and Medium Enterprise,
Laboratories Board of Investment and DTI Regional Operations Group.
* Management System
Certification Bodies (CBs) As one of the offices of DTI, the operational budget of PAO
* Medical Testing Laboratories comes from DTI funds.
* Inspection Bodies
__________________________ To ensure the credibility of accreditation process, PAO and
works laterally with its Accreditation Committee Members
and , Technical Assessors/Experts. / Assessors and Office
Trainings Staff, on which the latter also perform other functions
related with other bureaus of DTI.

__________________________
Updates/ Announcements
The established quality management system of PAO
revolves on its total commitment to provide confidence
credibility to results of certification, inspection, testing,
calibration and other conformity assessment activities,
simultaneously ensuring safeguard measures for
impartiality and conflict of interest with all involved
individuals and organizations.

To keep abreast with the current demands of the

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 international and local trade practices, PAO accreditation
schemes highly conform to ISO/IEC 17011:2004 - General
requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity
assessment bodies (CABs) and other related ISO and
international guidance documents focused on quality,
technical competence, customer satisfaction, productivity,
and improvements.

PAO Governing Board

As provided for by DAO 1:2005, the Philippine Conformity Assessment

Accreditation Council (PCAAC) acts as the governing board of PAO. It is chaired
by the Undersecretary of CWTRG and the members are the Directors of the different
bureaus of DTI, representatives from the Philippines Exporters Confederation and
Philipine Product Safety and Quality Foundation.

PCAAC has the following terms of reference :

Formulates and establishes policies pertaining to PAO operations including

appeals and complaints
Oversees the implementation of policies by PAO Director/Officer-in-Charge
Responsible for the creation of Advisory Committee, Accreditation Committee, and
Appeals Committee and the selection of its respective members from various
sectors
Over all manages and control PAO financial disbursements
Formulates other measures to ensure that PAO shall be transparent, competent
and effective
Convenes annually for various related decision making and appropriate actions

Recognition Arrangements

For management systems accreditation, the Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) is

a recognized signatory international member and signatory body of :

Pacific Accreditation Cooperation Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (PAC MLA)

and
 International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAF)
MLA Multilateral Arrangement (MLA).

 Likewise for laboratory accreditation, PAO’s is a enjoins signatory
membership of


2
  Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (APLAC MRA) and
 International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (ILAC MRA) Mutual Recognition
 Arrangement (MRA)




Complaints and Appeals

The Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) gives its clients and other concerned
parties the right to appeal and raise a complaint against its accreditation
services.

A person or organization who wishes to lodge a complaint against PAO or any

of its accredited CAB (e.g. laboratory, certification or inspection body) may
submit its complaint to PAO in written form or through e-mail (pao@dti.gov.ph).

All complaints must be clearly defined, specific, well stated and properly
substantiated by corresponding relevant documentation, objective evidences and
attested by the complainant.

In case, an applicant or accredited CAB desires to appeal against any

accreditation decision of PAO, an appeal should be submitted to the
Undersecretary of DTI – CWTRG. The complainant shall have fifteen (15) days
to submit a documented appeal. All appeals shall be supported by objective
evidences and shall have the name, address, telephone/fax no. of appellant and
the details of the appeal.

General Accreditation Process flow chart

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Frequently Asked Questions
What is “accreditation?”

Accreditation is a third – party attestation related to a conformity assessment body

that conveys formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific
conformity assessment tasks.

In simpler terms, it is a process by which an authoritative body gives formal

recognition of competency to another body providing evidence regarding itstheir
technical abilities.

Why seek “accreditation?”

Accreditation plays an important role in the field of global competitiveness to gain
the confidence of trade and business partners and other stakeholders.
Clients of Accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) become more confident
in their expertise and assured of an impartial and professional conduct of certification
CAB’s service reputation is boosted through gained credibility, added value and
recognition
 General public is assured of quality, health, safety, and protection with the
products and services of certified organizations by aAccredited CABs


PAO Governing Board/Advisory Council

As provided for by DAO 1:2005, the Philippine Conformity Assessment Accreditation

Council (PCAAC) acts as the governing board of PAO. It is chaired by the
Undersecretary of CWTRG and the members are the Directors of the different bureaus
of DTI, representatives from the Philippines Exporters Confederation and Philipine
Product Safety and Quality Foundation.

4
PCAAC has with the following terms of reference :

Formulates and establishes policies pertaining to PAO operations including

appeals and complaints
Oversees the implementation of policies by PAO Director/Officer-in-Charge
Responsible for the creation of Advisory Committee, Accreditation Committee,
Advisory Committee and Appeals Committee and the selection of its respective
members from various sectors
 Over all manages and control PAO financial disbursements
 Formulates other measures to ensure that PAO shall be transparent,
competent and effective
 Convenes annually for various related decision making and appropriate
actions


 Complaints and Appeals

 The Philippine Accreditation Office (PAO) gives its clients and other
concerned parties the right to appeal and raise a complaint against its
accreditation services.

 A person or organization who wishes to lodge a complaint against PAO or
any of its aAccredited CAB (e.g. laboratory, certification or inspection
bodyies) may submit its complaint to PAO in written form or through e-mail
(pao@dti.gov.ph).

All complaints must be clearly defined, specific, well stated and properly
substantiated by corresponding relevant documentation, objective evidence s and
attested by the complainant.

In case, an applicant or accredited CABs per se desires to appeal against any

accreditation decision of PAO, an appeal should be submitted to the
Undersecretary of DTI – CWTRG. The appellant shall have fifteen (15) days to
submit a documented appeal after an official declaration has been expressed.
Likewise, all appeals shall be supported by objective evidences and shall have
the name, address, telephone/fax no. of appellant and the details of the appeal.

Contact Us

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PHILIPPINE ACCREDITATION OFFICE (PAO)
Department of Trade and Industry
3/F Trade and Industry Bldg.,
#361 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., MakatiCity
Tel.No.:(+632)751-3127 to 28
FaxNo.:(+632)751-3262
e-mail:pao@dti.gov.ph
Website: www.pao.dti.gov.ph

CIRILA S. BOTOR
Director/Officer-in-Charge
Tel.No.:(+632)751-3126
e-mail:cirilabotor@dti.gov.ph

PERLA F. BAJE NANITA F. FIDELINO

Managger., , Laboratory Accreditation Mgr., Mgt. Systems

Accreditation
Tel.No.:(+632)751- 3124707 Tel.No.:(+632)751-3128
local 4707
e-mail: perlabaje@dti.gov.ph e-mail: nanitafidelino@dti.gov.ph

NANITA F. FIDELINO
Manager, Management System Accreditation & Inspection Body
Tel.No.:(+632)751-3129 local 3128
e-mail:nanitafidelino@dti.gov.ph

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PAO GENERAL ACCREDITATION PROCESS FLOW CHART

RESPONSIBITY OF PAO
APPLICANT &/OR GENERAL ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILITY
ACCREDITED BODY

START

To express interest either by To provide advise and all

email or phone. 1 Inquiry for the required relevant materials such
interested scheme as application, quotation and
other information. 1

To obtain application and To receive application and all the

submit it together with all
required documents and to
comply with the required
initial on-site assessments
activities. 2
To satisfactorily pass all the
criteria, terms and conditions
in order to obtain approval of
accreditation application. 5
In case of disapproval, to
apply corresponding
corrections &/or corrective
measures until evaluated
passing the criteria. 6
Upon compliance with all the
requirements and approval
has been obtained, to pay the
necessary accreditation fees
and charges accordingly. 5, 7
And to receive accordingly,
the accreditation certificate
with validity and covered
scope as well as the agreed
guidelines and program for
assessment activities of their
accreditation. 8
Application & submission
of all required requirements
per scheme
Processing, review,
validation and evaluation
of all requirements
Application processed,
Approved and contract
Agreed
Agreed &
Approved
Payment of Accreditation
Charges Per scheme
Granting of accreditation
For five (5) years validity
Granted ?
related materials necessary
documents for on the scheme
being applied 2
To undertake all the appropriate
actions necessary for the
acceptance of to grant the
acceptance of application. 3
Upon satisfactory compliance with
Correction of all the set requirements of
Nonconformance scheme applied, PAO to proceed
preparation of corresponding
charges and fees for applicant’s
payment as well as their
accreditation certificate. 4, 5, 7
In case of any requirement
deficiency, applicant to do
appropriate corrections & or
corrective actions until evaluated
acceptable. 6
PAO prepares and grants the
accreditation certificate with the
corresponding validity and
covered scope as well as the
Correction of respective duration program of
Nonconformance PAO monitoring assessment
activities. 8, 9

To attend and implement
any correction / corrective
measure if for whatever
valid reason that the grant
of accreditation is not yet
granted. 10
With an accredited statue
obtained, to consistently
meet and comply with the
routine surveillance and
reassessments audit program
of PAO including other
policies, terms and conditions
related to their status of
being PAO accredited body.
11, 12 , 13
Routine Program of PAO will not grant accreditation
Surveillance Audits until evaluated appropriate
correction has been done. 10
Routine Re-assessment
Audits for Re-accreditation
To perform accordingly PAO’s
program of surveillance audits
Special Assessments for &/or re-assessments (including
applied extension and/or application for extension or
additional scope and/or /additional scope) per accredited
other valid reasons scheme within the next
succeeding five (5) years of
validity until desired continuous
renewal of accreditation is
STOP expressed by the accredited
body. 11, 12, 13

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Testing and Calibration Laboratories
The Laboratory Accreditation Division (LA) of PAO as mandated, performs
the accreditation of various testing and calibration laboratories as based on PNS
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and
Calibration Laboratories ) and other technical requirements associated to each
respective covered laboratory programs as follows :
Chemical testing laboratory
Biological testing laboratory
Mechanical testing laboratory
Electrical testing laboratory
Calibration laboratory
Specifically, LA assesses the laboratory for its compliance to the internationally-
accepted standards criteria of excellent quality, effective/efficient operational
performance, technical competence and expertise backed up by actual evidence
and proof. 

Being an active member and signatory of APLAC (Asia Pacific Laboratory

Accreditation Cooperation) and ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation) Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA), PAO as an accreditation
organization recognizes the equivalence of accreditations performed by its overseas
counterparts and it promotes the equivalence of such accreditations within its own
economy. Vice versa, PAO accreditation is recognizes by its other member
countries.

This internationally approved policy eradicates the need for re-testing /re-inspection of
products in an importing economy, thus results to savings in time, attention and
money for exporters.

Accredited Laboratories as of 31 DecembeMarrch 2009

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_________________________________________________
Proficiency Testing Programs
Directory of Proficiency Testing Providers
________________________________________________
Guidance Documents/Forms
Laboratory Accreditation Schedule of Fees
- Directory of Proficiency Testing Programs as of
- Directory of Proficiency Testing Providers as of
- Application Form for Laboratory Accreditation (LASF 02)Application for
signatory approval (LASF 03)
- Assessors briefing 2007 (LASF 04)
- Laboratory Assessment Checklist (LASF 06-2)
- Application Reassessment (LASF 21)
- Application for Surveillance (LASF 22)
- Acceptance of conditions for accreditation (LASF 34)

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 - PT submission frorm (LASF 40)
- Feedback form (LASF 54)
- _________________________________________________________
-
- Management System Certification Bodies (CBs)
-
- The Management System Accreditation (MSA) Division of the Philippine
Accreditation Office (PAO) handles the accreditation schemes for Certification
Bodies (CBs) on the basis of ISO 17021:2007 (Conformity Assessments –
Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management
systems). Specifically, it accredits CBs certifying organizations with management
systems as follows :
-
- PNS ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System (QMS)
- PNS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System (EMS)
- PNS ISO 2200:2005 Food Safety Management System (FSMS)
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
-
- Using internationally recognized standard parameters in the assessment of CBs,
both the QMS and EMS accreditation schemes of PAO have been recognized by
the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) and International Accreditation
Forum (IAF). These PAC and IAF recognitions thus empower businesses to
enter the global market at an advantageous level.
-
- _____________________________________________
- Accredited CBs as of 31 December 2008
-
- ______________________________________________
- Guidance Documents / Forms
- Application Form for CB Accreditation
- Accreditation Fees and Charges
- Use of Logos
-
- ____________________________________________________
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

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 -
-
-
-
- Inspection Bodies

- PAO accreditation scheme for Inspection Bodies (IBs) is based on ISO/IEC

17020:1998 (General Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies
Performing Inspection) and likewise, is under the responsibility of PAO-MSA
Division.
-
- PAO-MSA IBs assessment policy centers on the basis of professional judgment
in the examination of a product design, quality of the product, service, process,
plant and the determination of their conformity with the specific requirements.
Its IBs are classified according to the following types :
- Type A : the inspection body providing third party services must meet the
criteria annex A (normative ) of ISO/IEC 17020
- Type B : the inspection body forming a separate and identifiable part of an
organization involved in the design, manufacture, supply, installation, use or
maintenance of the items it inspects and has been established to supply inspection
services to its parent organization must meet the criteria annex B (normative) of
ISO/IEC 17020.
- Type C : the inspection body involved in the design, manufacture, supply,
installation, use or maintenance of the items it inspects or of similar competitive
items and may supply inspection services to other parties not being its parent
organization must meet the criteria annex C (normative) of ISO/IEC 17020.
-
- _____________________________________________
- Accredited IBs as of 31 December 2008
-
- ______________________________________________
- Guidance Documents
- Application Form for IB Accreditation (same with CBs)
- Accreditation Fees and Charges
- Use of Logos

____________________________________________________

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Medical Testing Laboratories

Currently on its full stage of in-process formulation, the accreditation scheme of

PAO for Medical Laboratories is based on ISO 15189:2007(E) (Particular
requirements for quality and competence) and although, considered under testing
laboratory, it is under the governance of PAO-MSA.

The over all accreditation policies of PAO- MSA for medical laboratories are
focus on patients care and quality services essential to meet the needs of both
the patients and the clinical personnel providing such care. In addition is the
consideration of safety and ethics in performing those medical laboratory works.

Specifically, its accreditation criteria consists of the following :

Presence of the required quality system - documented and is fully operational

Competency to perform specific testing procedures and reporting
Conforming to all elements of ISO 15189:2007
Adhering to any additional PAO-MSA requirements

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TRAININGS
Target Trainings To Be Undertaken By PAO for 2009 under TRTA Project 2 are
as follows :

ISO 15189 (Accreditation of Medical Testing Laboratories)

a) One (1) assessors’ 5-days training
b) One (1) 5-days’ on-site training
c) One (1) 2-day seminar for medical testing laboratory
d) One (1) 2-day seminar for stakeholders on EU regulations

ISO 27006 (Information Systems)

One (1) assessors’ 5-days training
One (1) 5-days’ on-site training

 ISO 17025 (Testing and Calibration Laboratories )

 One (1) assessors’ 2-days training
a) One (1) 2-days’ on-site training

Target Trainings/Meetings To Be Attended By PAO for 2009 are as follows :

1. ACCSQ WG 2 (9-10 February) Bali, Indonesia
2. APLAC MRA Council Meeting (21-22 May) Hongkong, China
3. PAC General Assembly and Technical
Meetings ( June ) Taipei,Taiwan
4. IAF and ILAC Annual and Technical
Meetings (9-21 October ) Vancouver, Canada
5. APLAC General Assembly MRA and
Technical Meetings (5-11 December ) Bali, Indonesia
6. PAC and Evaluators Course To be announced later
7. APLAC/ PTB Proficiency Testing
Trainings To be announced later

UPDATES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

June 9, 2009 (Tuesday) – International Accreditation Day

“ PAO shall host a one-day free seminar related to EU

regulations
And ISO accreditation standards in support of the above
international
event. Details shall be announced later”

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PAO GENERAL ACCREDITATION PROCESS FLOW CHART
RESPONSIBITY OF
APPLICANT &/OR
ACCREDITED BODY
To express interest either by
email or phone. 1
To obtain application and
submit it together with all
required documents and to
comply with the initial on-site
assessment . 2
To satisfactorily pass all the
criteria, terms and conditions
in order to obtain approval of
accreditation application. 5
In case of disapproval, to
apply corresponding
corrections &/or corrective
measures until evaluated
passing the criteria. 6
Upon compliance with all the
requirements and approval
has been obtained, to pay the
necessary accreditation fees
and charges accordingly. 5, 7
And to receive accordingly,
the accreditation certificate
with validity and covered
scope as well as the agreed
guidelines and program for
assessment activities of their
accreditation. 8
To attend and implement
any correction / corrective
measure if for whatever
valid reason that the grant
of accreditation is not yet
granted. 10
With an accredited statue
obtained, to consistently
meet and comply with the
routine surveillance and
reassessments audit program
of PAO including other
policies, terms and conditions
related to their status of
being PAO accredited body.
GENERAL ACTIVITIES
START
Inquiry for the
interested scheme
Application & submission
of all requirements
per scheme
Processing, review,
and evaluation
of all requirements
Application processed,
Approved and contract
Agreed
Agreed &
Approved
Payment of Accreditation
Charges Per scheme
Granting of accreditation
For five (5) years validity
Granted ?
Routine Program of
Surveillance Audits
Routine Re-assessment
Audits for Re-accreditation
Special Assessments for
applied extension and/or
additional scope and/or
other valid reasons
STOP
PAO
RESPONSIBILITY
To provide advise and all
relevant materials such as
application, quotation and other
information. 1
To receive application and all the
necessary documents for the
scheme being applied 2
To undertake all actions necessary
for the acceptance of application. 3
Upon satisfactory compliance with
Correction of all the set requirements of
Nonconformance scheme applied, PAO to proceed
preparation of corresponding
charges and fees for applicant’s
payment as well as their
accreditation certificate. 4, 5, 7
In case of any requirement
deficiency, applicant to do
appropriate corrections & or
corrective actions until evaluated
acceptable. 6
PAO prepares and grants the
accreditation certificate with the
corresponding validity and
covered scope as well as the
Correction of respective duration program of
Nonconformance PAO monitoring assessment
activities. 8, 9
PAO will not grant accreditation
until evaluated appropriate
correction has been done. 10
To perform accordingly PAO’s
program of surveillance audits
&/or re-assessments (including
application for extension or
/additional scope) per accredited
scheme within the next
succeeding five (5) years of
validity until desired continuous
renewal of accreditation is
expressed by the accredited
13
11, 12 , 13
body. 11, 12, 13

Laboratory Accreditation Schedule of Fees And Charges

The following are the fees and charges covering laboratory accreditation :

1. Application form
(non-refundable, payable upon issuance of application PHP 300.00
Form)
2. Assessment fees
PHP 500.00
( including documentation review, follow-up, surveillance
per man-hour
visits , reassessments/ special assessments)
PHP 5,000.00
3. Accreditation fee
Per program of
(payable upon issuance of certificate)
Accreditation
4. Annual dues ﴾payable within fifteen (15) days after PHP 3,000.00
billing ﴿ Per organization
5. Additional Charges

 Transportation, lodging and accommodation expenses of PAO assessment

team
during assessment shall be borne by the applicant or accredited laboratory.
 Payment for contracted members of the assessment team shall be paid by the
laboratory based on billing statement issued by PAO
 The laboratory shall be answerable for accidents that may occur during the
duration of the assessment, if it can be proven that faults or negligence
is contributed by them

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