5. Mutual recognition

Many countries have set up connection systems similar to France's, based on the relay provided by accredited calibration laboratories. Under the impetus of EA and ILAC, multilateral mutual recognition agreements (MLAs) have been developed between these countries.

EA, a non-profit association based in the Netherlands, is the network of European accreditation bodies, with forty-nine full members. As of January 31, 2024, thirty-eight countries located geographically in Europe had signed the EA MLA for testing and calibration. To these 38 countries must be added eleven that have signed bilateral agreements with EA.

ILAC is the global network of laboratory accreditors and, as of January 31, 2024, has one hundred and fourteen accreditation bodies signed up to its multilateral agreement, which covers testing, analysis and calibration, as well as...