TÜRKAK has become a member of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorparated , established through the merger of the International Accreditation Forum and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.
At the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorparated General Assembly held on 23 October 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, a total of 156 membership applications were reviewed and approved, officially confirming the new organization’s role in the global accreditation system.
During the IAF and ILAC General Assemblies, it was also decided that, with the launch of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorparated, IAF and ILAC will be gradually dissolved as of 1 January 2026.
The Merger Process
IAF and ILAC initiated the merger process in October 2019 following a strategic decision. In 2021, the establishment of a Steering Committee marked the official start of coordinated efforts. Between 2022 and 2023, the new organization’s governance documents and operational mechanisms were finalized.
At the IAF-ILAC Joint General Assembly held in Berlin in October 2024, it was decided to initiate the official registration process of the Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorparated. The year 2025 has been designated as a transition period, and the new umbrella organization will become fully operational as of 1 January 2026.
Brahim Houla Elected as the First President
During the meeting, Brahim Houla, who currently serves as Chair of the APAC MRA/ARAC MLA Committee, was elected as the first President of the Global Accreditation Cooperation. Elections for the Technical Committee Chairs and members of the Financial Audit Committee will be conducted through electronic voting between November and December 2025. The Treasurer and Quality Manager will be appointed by the Board of Directors, and all positions will officially commence on 1 January 2026.
