Accreditation Consultancy for Laboratories and Inspection Bodies in Saudi Arabia

Accreditation consultancy supports organisations seeking accreditation as conformity assessment bodies, and itmad provides accreditation consultancy in Saudi Arabia for laboratories, inspection bodies and personnel certification bodies against ISO/IEC 17025, 17020, 17024, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 17034. Accreditation consultancy is a distinct service from certification. itmad has worked in Saudi Arabia for more than 10 years. Last reviewed: October 2026.

What accreditation consultancy is

itmad provides consultancy to organisations seeking accreditation as conformity assessment bodies. The service is distinct from certification.

Why a certification body can offer accreditation consultancy

Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065, a certification body is prohibited from providing consultancy on the standards that the body certifies against. itmad observes that prohibition strictly: itmad does not advise any organisation on building an ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or similar management system. The standards below are accreditation standards. Organisations are accredited to the standards by an accreditation body, not certified by itmad, so no conflict of interest arises.

Standards itmad consults on

• ISO/IEC 17025Testing and calibration laboratories.
• ISO/IEC 17020Bodies performing inspection.
• ISO/IEC 17024Bodies certifying persons.
• ISO 15189Medical and clinical laboratories.
• ISO/IEC 17043Proficiency testing providers.
• ISO 17034Reference material producers.

What the engagement covers

• Gap analysis against the standard and against the rules of the chosen accreditation body
• Quality manual, procedures and records framework, built around how the organisation already works
• Method validation and verification, and estimation of measurement uncertainty
• Equipment control, traceability and intermediate checks
• Proficiency testing and interlaboratory comparison planning
• Personnel competence, authorisation and training records
• Internal audit and management review, run with the team of the organisation so that the team can repeat the process
• Preparation and submission of the accreditation application
• Pre-assessment readiness review before the accreditation body attends
• Support in responding to findings raised at assessment

Supporting software

Where a paper system will not scale, the itmad software team supplies and implements laboratory information management systems, document and record control systems, and custom applications built to the requirements of the standard. itmad configures and deploys the system, and the technical content of the management system remains authored and owned by the personnel of the organisation.

Who itmad works with

• Testing and calibration laboratories seeking first accreditation or extending scope
• Inspection bodies in oil and gas, construction, lifting and marine
• Medical laboratories working toward ISO 15189
• Training providers establishing personnel certification schemes
• Accredited bodies preparing for surveillance or reassessment

How itmad works on accreditation consultancy

Engagements are led by technical experts with operational experience in the relevant discipline, not by generalist auditors working from a checklist. itmad is involved from the first visit through to the accreditation decision. Accreditation is granted by the accreditation body on the evidence that the organisation presents, so no consultant can guarantee the outcome. What itmad can do is make sure nothing avoidable stands in the way of accreditation.

Contact itmad in Saudi Arabia

itmad, Riyadh, P.O. Box 11421, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Telephone: +966 11 205 8471.

Frequently asked questions

What is accreditation consultancy?

Accreditation consultancy supports organisations seeking accreditation as conformity assessment bodies, such as testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies and personnel certification bodies. Accreditation consultancy is a distinct service from certification.

Why can a certification body offer accreditation consultancy?

Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065, a certification body is prohibited from providing consultancy on the standards that the body certifies against. The standards covered by accreditation consultancy are accreditation standards, and organisations are accredited to the standards by an accreditation body, not certified by itmad, so no conflict of interest arises.

Which standards does itmad consult on?

itmad consults on ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17020 for bodies performing inspection, and ISO/IEC 17024 for bodies certifying persons. itmad also consults on ISO 15189 for medical and clinical laboratories, ISO/IEC 17043 for proficiency testing providers, and ISO 17034 for reference material producers.

What does an accreditation consultancy engagement cover?

An engagement covers gap analysis against the standard and the rules of the chosen accreditation body, a quality manual, procedures and records framework, method validation and measurement uncertainty, and equipment control and traceability. The engagement also covers personnel competence records, internal audit and management review, preparation of the accreditation application, a pre-assessment readiness review, and support in responding to findings raised at assessment.

Can itmad guarantee accreditation?

No. Accreditation is granted by the accreditation body on the evidence that the organisation presents, so no consultant can guarantee the outcome. What itmad can do is make sure nothing avoidable stands in the way of accreditation.

Does itmad advise on building an ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 system?

No. itmad observes the prohibition on consultancy for the standards that itmad certifies against, and does not advise any organisation on building an ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 or similar management system.