HC Deb 09 January 2003 vol 397 c302W
Mr. Mark Field

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the Office is doing to support the Government's policy on accreditation. [88093]

Mr. Alexander

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is recognised by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry as the sole national body for the accreditation, against international standards, of certification and inspection bodies, testing and calibration laboratories. My Department has engaged in a number of useful discussions with UKAS and are currently developing with them new assessment procedures in relation to the Charter Mark scheme.