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A world of confidence since 1995: UKAS marks its 30th anniversary with a special customer reception
On Monday 30 June, exactly 30 years since its official incorporation, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a customer reception in London, marking three decades of enabling trust and confidence across the UK economy.
Hosted by UKAS Chairman Lord Lindsay, the event welcomed longstanding customers and new partners alike to reflect on how accreditation has supported quality, safety and innovation in sectors ranging from healthcare and forensics to construction, sustainability and digital technologies.
In his opening remarks, Lord Lindsay charted the evolution of UKAS from its founding in 1995 (formed through the merger of NAMAS and NACCB) to its current position as the UK’s national accreditation body, with over 3,000 accreditations granted across the public and private sectors:
“Since 1995, UKAS has grown into an organisation of 350 people, serving the UK economy and public life through impartial, trusted accreditation,” Lord Lindsay said. “We are not just a technical authority; we are a proactive, customer-focused and forward-looking partner to industry and regulators.”
In his speech Lord Lindsay reflected on critical developments within UKAS over the past three decades, including the introduction of accreditation for medical laboratories and forensic science providers, the UK’s participation in global mutual recognition agreements and UKAS’s rapid response during the COVID-19 pandemic to scale testing capacity in partnership with government.
Lord Lindsay also recognised the role of customers in shaping the organisation’s evolution. “Listening to our customers, anticipating their future needs and ensuring we continue to deliver a quality service – this is what defines the UKAS of today and tomorrow.”
The reception featured a keynote address by Hanane Taidi, Director General of the TIC Council, who spoke on the global significance of accreditation and the importance of collaboration across the international quality infrastructure:
“UKAS is not just participating, you are trailblazing. You’ve helped define what credible accreditation looks like on the global stage — quietly, rigorously, and with exceptional credibility. In a world where speed can outpace scrutiny, UKAS stands as a framework for trust, enabling innovation without compromising integrity.”
UKAS Chief Executive Matt Gantley reflected on the milestones that have defined UKAS’s role and looked to the future of this role in enabling trust, quality and innovation across the UK economy:
“Imagine a world where conformity assessment is no longer solely a periodic human exchange or limited to paper trails and periodic checks. Where conformity assessment is embedded into the digital fabric of global trade and businesses and consumers can instantly verify claims, credentials and performance with a single click. And imagine that this is underpinned not just by clever technology but underpinned by the same internationally recognised standards and values that have guided us for decades: trust, impartiality, technical excellence and service to the public good.” he said. “This is not a future vision is a path we have already started to pursue. Our role is to guide the direction of conformity assessment with care, with rigour and with confidence.”
The anniversary provided a platform to highlight several recent milestones that demonstrate the breadth and societal value of accreditation. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Biorepository became the first biobank in the UK to be accredited to ISO 20387, setting a benchmark for quality and consistency in the storage of biological samples used in research and diagnostics.
Another important development was the accreditation of The Survivor’s Trust, which became the first inspection body to meet ISO/IEC 17020 for services supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse. This milestone underscores the role of accreditation in upholding quality and sensitivity in areas of public service that require the highest levels of trust and integrity.
UKAS has also continued to expand its work in climate assurance and artificial intelligence governance, helping organisations demonstrate credible environmental performance and supporting ethical innovation in emerging technologies. These forward-looking developments reinforce the relevance of accreditation in addressing some of today’s most pressing societal and policy challenges.
In a year that also saw UKAS increase access to training through its Academy and launch innovations like digital accreditation certificates, the organisation has focused not only on celebrating its past, but on laying the groundwork for the future. The Development Team currently fields up to 20 enquiries each week about new types of accreditations, reflecting the growing interest in assurance across diverse and emerging sectors. At present, over 30 new accreditation projects are actively underway, with a further 35 in the early stages of scoping. This dynamic pipeline demonstrates both the adaptability of the accreditation framework and UKAS’s commitment to supporting the evolving needs of its customers and the wider economy.
Matt Gantley commented: “Accreditation is not just a mark of quality – it is a mechanism for resilience and trust, giving us the confidence to innovate. As we look ahead, UKAS will continue investing in digital transformation, listening to customers, and supporting industry and regulators in meeting emerging challenges with confidence.”
As UKAS turns the page on its 30th anniversary, it does so with renewed purpose – continuing its mission to be a trusted enabler of quality, innovation and public trust in a world that never stands still. The customer reception marking this milestone was not only a moment of reflection, but also an opportunity to engage directly with those who benefit from accreditation every day. It reaffirmed the organisation’s enduring role in helping the UK meet the challenges of the future with confidence, grounded in collaboration, technical rigour and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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