Norwegian Accreditation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bosnian accreditation body (BATA), on all areas related to conformity assessment.  The project is an institutional collaboration with the national accreditation body in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The project named ”Capacity building of BATA” started in 2008 and is supported by Norwegian ministry of foreign affairs (UD). The preliminary initiative came from the Norwegian company Bjørge ASA and BATA.

Background – mutual recognition of tests and products

Bjørge ASA delivers high technology to the petroleum industry in Norway and EU where the quality requirements of products and systems are very strict. Bjørge ASA is testing many of their products in Bosnia and the tests are done by a BATA accredited laboratory. But BATA have not signed agreements for the mutual recognition (MLA/MRA) either with EA (European co-operation for accreditation) at regional level, or international level with ILAC (international laboratory accreditation cooperation) and IAF (international accreditation forum). This also affects the Bosnian export industry. It’s important for the Bosnian industry that the Bosnian accreditation body also signs agreements with mutual recognition.

Norwegian Accreditations is assisting BATA with competence and quality management. The aim is that BATA can become a signatory to the relevant EA multilateral agreements on accreditation (MLA). The project continues through 2010.