Oman’s Accreditation Centre Pursues International Recognition: Key Implications for Businesses and Investors
Muscat: The Omani Accreditation Centre aims to achieve international recognition by the end of this year, initially focusing on calibration and testing laboratories, in an effort to enhance the credibility of locally issued test results and certificates in global markets, its director has announced.
Dr. Said al-Busaidi, Director of the Centre, which operates under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), revealed that the Centre has submitted its application for international recognition to the Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) and is currently awaiting a peer evaluation, a crucial step in the approval process.
Speaking to Oman Observer, Dr. Al-Busaidi stated, “The Omani Accreditation Centre has submitted its application for international recognition to the Arab Accreditation Cooperation, and we are currently awaiting the peer evaluation.” This evaluation process typically takes about three months and involves an assessment by a specialised team from ARAC. Any corrective measures identified during the peer visit will be addressed before final recognition is granted.
He expressed optimism, saying, “God willing, we hope to obtain international recognition from the Arab Accreditation Cooperation before the end of this year.”
The recognition will be implemented in phases, starting with calibration and testing laboratories and subsequently extending to inspection bodies, Dr. Al-Busaidi added.
As the national accreditation authority, the Centre is responsible for evaluating the competence of conformity assessment bodies in Oman—including laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies—against international standards. Achieving international recognition will enable test reports, calibration certificates, and inspection results issued locally to be accepted by other member economies without re-testing, thereby reducing costs and technical barriers for Omani exporters. This initiative supports the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on economic diversification and expanding non-oil trade.
Membership in ARAC represents a vital initial step. Following regional recognition, the Centre’s status will be elevated globally through the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), leading to mutual recognition agreements. ARAC has held international recognition from the IAF and ILAC since 2017.
Dr. Al-Busaidi’s comments were made during celebrations marking World Accreditation Day on June 9. This year’s theme, “Innovation, Trust and Sustainability: The Power of Accreditation,” underscores the importance of accreditation in supporting quality infrastructure and conformity assessment bodies, including laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification entities.
Accreditation offers independent assurance that these bodies are competent, impartial, and reliable, allowing regulators, businesses, and consumers to trust their test reports, certificates, and inspections. This assurance is increasingly critical as markets grow more complex and as sustainability claims and emerging technologies demand greater scrutiny. World Accreditation Day was established by the IAF and ILAC in 2007 and is observed annually on June 9.
For Oman, obtaining full international recognition of its accreditation system is expected to bolster efforts to localize testing and certification, increase confidence in domestically produced goods and services, and facilitate access to export markets—key priorities in the nation’s broader economic diversification strategy.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
Oman’s pursuit of international recognition for its Accreditation Centre marks a strategic leap in enhancing global trust in locally issued test results and certificates, effectively reducing export barriers and cutting costs for businesses. This advancement creates opportunities for Omani exporters to penetrate new markets more easily while bolstering domestic industries through strengthened quality assurance. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should now prioritize partnerships and ventures aligned with sectors benefiting from streamlined accreditation and compliance processes, positioning themselves ahead in Oman’s economic diversification and export growth ambitions.
