After the military operation launched by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) which the TÜRKAK is the member within the scope of multilateral agreements took some decisions1 related to the sanctions against the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. There is also a recommendation letter2 from the European Commission to EA in the context of the situation in Ukraine.
While some of these decisions are directly related to the accreditation bodies (ABs) that are members of the IAF and EA, some of them have binding aspects for accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs).
As it is known, the IAF is an entity incorporated in the US and has decided3 not to work with any entity or individual covered by national, international or US sanctions (i.e. SDN4 lists published by OFAC5), including entities or individuals identified as, related to, or affiliated with entities covered by these sanctions. The IAF Board has communicated to all members the requirement that members not violate the national, international and US sanctions. In this respect and in accordance with the multilateral recognition agreement rules, CABs accredited by TÜRKAK shall not offer conformity assessment services to individuals or legal entities that are on the SDN sanction lists and if there are certificates that have been given before and are still valid, they shall terminate these certificates.
If these requirements are not fulfilled, TÜRKAK is required to take action for the related CABs.
1 EA resolution published on 19 May 2022 after EA General Assembly meeting held on 18-19 May 2022, (EA Resolution 2022 (51) 04): https://european-accreditation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/EAGA2205-40-EA-GA51-Resolutions-19May2022.pdf
2 Recommendation sent to EA by the European Commission General Directorate of Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG-GROW) on 02 May 2022:https://european-accreditation.org/recommendation-from-the-european-commission-to-ea-in-the-context-of-the-situation-in-ukraine/
3 IAF decision taken by the IAF Board on 13 May 2022: https://iaf.nu/en/news/additional-statement-regarding-sanctions-relating-to-the-situation-in-ukraine/
4 SDN (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List): As part of its enforcement efforts, OFAC publishes a list of individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries. It also lists individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called "Specially Designated Nationals" or "SDNs." Their assets are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them. The list is available at https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/specially-designated-nationals-and-blocked-persons-list-sdn-human-readable-lists .
5 OFAC: The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States.
