Tested once, accepted everywhere: how accreditation empowers MSMEs

UNIDO has responded to these challenges by helping MSMEs unlock the benefits of accreditation—a critical component of the Quality Infrastructure (QI) system. Accreditation involves rigorous assessment by national and regional bodies to ensure that conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as testing laboratories and certification bodies, operate with impartiality and technical competence. This process builds confidence in the reliability and accuracy of results, which is essential for market acceptance. 

For MSMEs, leveraging accredited conformity assessment is proving to be a game-changer. By working with accredited CABs, these enterprises can demonstrate compliance with international standards, boosting their reputation, building consumer trust, and opening doors to new markets and financial opportunities. Accreditation also helps MSMEs improve product quality, streamline operations, and meet eligibility criteria for government grants and investor support. 

UNIDO’s systemic approach includes supporting MSMEs in adopting standards, improving competitiveness through higher product quality, and achieving certification and accreditation. The organization collaborates closely with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and CABs worldwide to strengthen national and regional accreditation systems, ensuring MSMEs can meet international regulations and participate in global VALUE chains. 

In Albania, UNIDO is supporting the national accreditation body (DPA) to develop two new accreditation schemes: product certification (ISO/IEC 17065) and GLOBALG.A.P. certification. Since DPA does not yet offer these schemes, certification bodies in Albania are accredited by foreign bodies. This often means higher costs, less local support, and limited recognition of Albania’s Quality Infrastructure for MSMEs. Through the GQSP Albania programme, funded by the Swiss Government, UNIDO is helping DPA establish internationally recognized schemes that will enable local certification bodies to seek national accreditation. This will improve access, affordability, and trust in certification services, empowering Albanian MSMEs—especially in the agri-food sector—to meet EU and global market requirements more effectively.

This year’s World Accreditation Day, organized by ILAC and IAF, highlights the theme “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),” emphasizing accreditation’s crucial role in supporting MSMEs and sustainable economic growth. 

Visit the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index online data hub to explore how it evaluates countries' Quality Infrastructure and the central role accreditation plays.