TÜRKAK has successfully completed its process of becoming an affiliated member of the Test, Inspection and Certification Council (TIC Council), which brings together international stakeholders from the testing, inspection, and certification sector. Last week, TÜRKAK participated in the TIC Council General Assembly and TIC Summit held in Brussels, engaging in high-level discussions with global conformity assessment bodies.

The summit provided a platform for discussing the latest developments and global trends in the field of conformity assessment. Key topics included digitalization, sustainability, artificial intelligence, data-driven decision-making, the Green Deal, and the role of accreditation in global trust chains.

Representing TÜRKAK, Secretary General Banu Müderrisoğlu and Deputy Secretary General Kürşat Özdemir shared insights on the role of accreditation in reducing technical barriers to trade, enhancing international recognition, and strengthening global cooperation. The participants also showed great interest in TÜRKAK’s ongoing digital transformation, particularly the ASİST Portal, its data-driven accreditation approach, and the institution’s newly developed environmentally focused services.

At the TIC Council General Assembly, discussions covered certification systems for sustainability processes and the Council's 2026 budget.

On the same day as the General Assembly, the TIC Summit and Roundtable Sessions addressed the challenges and future of quality infrastructure. The event featured a panel discussion titled “The Future of Quality Infrastructure: Balancing Innovation, Risk, and Regulation”, where participants explored the future of standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment activities in the rapidly evolving digital and AI landscape.

The summit also examined how quality infrastructure should evolve in the face of rising protectionism and increasingly fragmented regulatory frameworks. Key themes included digital transformation, mutual recognition agreements, and the supportive role of public policies.

There was a strong emphasis on transforming quality infrastructure from a “one-stop shop” model to a “one-click access” structure. It was highlighted that, in order for accreditation to effectively establish trust in products and services, it must adapt to digital advancements, achieve cross-border recognition, and be supported by public policies.

The European Union’s Regulation No. 765/2008 was presented as a model for this transformation, and it was noted that similar frameworks implemented on a global scale could significantly reduce barriers to trade.

Quality infrastructure was described not only as a technical topic, but as a strategic component of competitiveness, innovation, and global trust. The event underscored the belief that a more connected, digital, and reliable system is indeed possible.

Believing that accreditation is the foundation of global trust, TÜRKAK continues to play a critical role in facilitating trade and ensuring consumer safety through robust accreditation services, while actively contributing to international decision-making platforms that shape the future of the sector.