Editing Conformance testing (section)

== Standardization and agreements ==

Several international standards relating to conformance testing are published by the [[International Organization for Standardization]] (ISO) and covered in the divisions of ICS 03.120.20 for management<ref name=pccc>{{cite web |last = International Organization for Standardization |author-link = International Organization for Standardization |title = 03.120.20: Product and company certification. Conformity assessment |url = http://www.iso.org/iso/products/standards/catalogue_ics_browse.htm?ICS1=03&ICS2=120&ICS3=20& |access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref> and ICS 23.040.01 for technical.<ref name=pcpg>{{cite web |last = International Organization for Standardization |author-link = International Organization for Standardization |title = 23.040.01: Pipeline components and pipelines in general |url = http://www.iso.org/iso/products/standards/catalogue_ics_browse.htm?ICS1=23&ICS2=040&ICS3=01& |access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref> Other standalone ISO standards include:

* ''ISO/TR 13881:2000 Petroleum and natural gas industries—Classification and conformity assessment of products, processes and services''<ref name=pngi>{{cite web |last = International Organization for Standardization |author-link = International Organization for Standardization |title = ISO/TR 13881:2000 Petroleum and natural gas industries -- Classification and conformity assessment of products, processes and services |url = http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=23137 |access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>
* ''ISO 18436-4:2008 Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines—Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel—Part 4: Field lubricant analysis''<ref name=cmdm>{{cite web |last = International Organization for Standardization |author-link = International Organization for Standardization |title = ISO 18436-4:2008 Condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines -- Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel -- Part 4: Field lubricant analysis |url = http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=37395 |access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>
* ''ISO/IEC 18009:1999 Information technology—Programming languages—Ada: Conformity assessment of a language processor'' <ref name=itpl>{{cite web |last = International Organization for Standardization |author-link = International Organization for Standardization |title = ISO/IEC 18009:1999 Information technology -- Programming languages -- Ada: Conformity assessment of a language processor |url = http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=31051 |access-date=2009-04-10}}</ref>

===Conformity assessment and mutual recognition agreements===
Many countries sign [[mutual recognition agreement]]s (MRAs) with other countries in order to promote trade of and facilitate market access to goods and services, while making it easier to meet a country's conformance testing requirements.<ref name="EC-MRA18">{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/goods/international-aspects/mutual-recognition-agreements_en |title=Mutual Recognition Agreements |publisher=European Commission |date=22 February 2018 |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="NISTMutual17">{{cite web |url=https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/what-we-do/conformity-assessment/mutual-recognition-agreements-mras |title=Mutual Recognition Agreements for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment |publisher=National Institute of Standards and Technology |date=6 September 2017 |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="ISO68:2002">{{cite web |url=https://www.iso.org/standard/29363.html |title=ISO/IEC Guide 68:2002 Arrangements for the recognition and acceptance of conformity assessment results |publisher=International Organization for Standards |date=January 2002 |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> Additionally, these agreements have the advantage of increasing confidence in conformance assessment bodies (e.g., testing labs and certification bodies),<ref name="NISTMutual17" /> and by extension, product quality.<ref name="ISOWhatIs"/><ref name="WTOTech">{{cite web| url=https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_info_e.htm |title=Technical Information on Technical barriers to trade |work=Trade Topics |publisher=World Trade Organization |access-date=22 February 2018}}</ref> An example is the [[IAF MLA]] which is an agreement for the mutual recognition of accredited certification between IAF Accreditation Body (AB) Member signatories.