"IQNET membership allows us to offer our services internationally and thus accompany our customers on all continents of the world."

"The international division of labour and free trade are crucial for economic growth and prosperity. This is particularly true for Switzerland as a small, specialised and export-oriented economy.

 

The Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS) is the leading conformity assessment body (CAB) in Switzerland. As a not-for-profit organisation, our mission is to promote Switzerland as a business location. We do this by providing high-quality, independent conformity assessment services that give our customers worldwide credibility and market access.  Our services are a lubricant for the international division of labour.

 

Our membership to IQNET is central to this. It allows us to offer our services internationally and thus accompany our customers on all continents of the world. Furthermore, IQNET enables us to engage in valuable exchanges with other leading CABs – with the common goal of ensuring the quality and reputation of our certificates.

 

We congratulate IQNET on its 35th anniversary and look forward to continuing our great cooperation!”

 

Felix Müller

CEO, SWISS ASSOCIATION FOR QUALITY AND MANAGEMENT-SYSTEMS (SQS) 

FOUNDING MEMBER AND IQNET PARTNER IN SWITZERLAND

 

 

"For us, as the Costa Rica National Standards Body, this means helping individuals and organizations take a step further, providing them with added value."

Becoming part of IQNET, the largest and most recognized international network of certification bodies worldwide, was a decision that reinforced our commitment to excellence. Since 2015, it has allowed us to bring Costa Rica to the international stage, backing our certifications and training services with a global seal of quality.

 

Through IQNET Academy, we offer training that opens the door to professional growth, new opportunities, and international recognition. For us, as the Costa Rica National Standards Body, this means helping individuals and organizations take a step further, providing them with added value.

 

Thanks to this network, we can transform the local into global. Behind every IQNET and INTECO certificate is an organization that has demonstrated its commitment to continuous improvement, excellence, and compliance with international regulations. We believe these certifications represent a strategic step toward trust, credibility, and sustainability. Therefore, being part of IQNET allows us to jointly open opportunities for organizations to be better prepared for global challenges.

 

Mauricio Céspedes

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

INSTITUTO DE NORMAS TÉCNICAS DE COSTA RICA (INTECO)

NATIONAL STANDARDIZATION BODY OF COSTA RICA

 

When asked to choose one key milestone out of the 30+ years that I represented AFAQ, and then AFNOR Group, in IQNET (formerly EQNET) the task is very difficult.

 

I could opt for so many, but I will choose one that stands out to me as a clear change in direction by the network for each and every one of its members – that is the decision that IQNET must be an actor (and in today’s parlance, an influencer!) in the eco-system « Standardization- Certification –Accreditation »

 

There is no single date or even year for this one but starting around 2000 and more particularly over the period from 2005 to 2010, IQNET rose in stature from being an ad-hoc group of management system certifiers to becoming an influential voice not only defending the interests of its members but also actively proposing innovative ideas and promoting new projects, both for the benefit of its own member organizations and also for the good of a broad range of stakeholders in the world of conformity assessment. I believe that IQNET can be very proud of its place, its actions and its achievements in this arena."

Alister Dalrymple

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT, IQNET ASSOCIATION

STANDING COMMITTEE ON HARMONISATION CHAIRMAN

OFFICIAL LIAISON REPRESENTATIVE TO IAF AND EA

  

"IQNET rose in stature from being an ad-hoc group of management system certifiers to becoming an influential voice."

 

"We intend to contribute to the creation of a better global environment while fulfilling our growing responsibilities."

Hiroaki Ishii

PRESIDENT & CEO

JAPAN QUALITY ASSURANCE ORGANIZATION

The JQA International Environmental Children's Drawing Contest has been held since 1999 in association with IQNET and with the support of UNICEF Tokyo Office and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)*, with the aim of raising environmental awareness among the next generation of children around the world.

 

Since its inception, the contest has received a cumulative total of more than 370,000 entries from children in over 100 countries and regions. We are honoured that the contest has developed into an international initiative with an unparalleled history and scale as an art competition for children around the world on the theme of “The Environment”. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to our IQNET partners and other organisations around the world, as well as parents and school teachers, for their great understanding and continuous support over the years. 

 

The children's work expresses hope for the future, compassion for the planet and a strong desire for a sustainable society. JQA takes these messages seriously and intends to contribute to the creation of a better global environment while fulfilling our growing responsibilities as a certification body. We look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the future.*　

JICA has been supporting since the 25th edition.

 

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Impressions from our celebration, in line with the IQNET General Assembly Meetings, Slovenia

 
 

IQNET marks 35 years of collaborative influence in the conformity assessment industry

 

Bern, 02 April 2025 - This year marks another milestone for IQNET Association – the International Certification Network, as we celebrate our 35th year.

 

First named as European Quality Network (EQNet), eventually renamed as IQNET in 1990 to give way to interested members from all continents. Currently, IQNET has 36 Members representing 34 countries. Members’ offices now extend to 84 economies and territories, boasting a total number of 365 offices worldwide. To know more about IQNET Members in different countries, visit this site.


In 2016, IQNET welcomed affiliation from certification bodies who would like to learn more about the network, and make use of common opportunities for growth and business development. IQNET has three Affiliated Bodies to date benefiting from our cooperation efforts and provision of exclusive IQNET products and services.

 

Through harmonizing the knowledge and expertise of our Members, with the extensive reach our network could provide, IQNET through the years has established a collaborative influence in the conformity assessment industry and quality infrastructure, notably at a global level, but also with regional and local impact.

 

Collectively, IQNET Members are consistent in capturing 20% share, management system certificates alone, issued worldwide for quality, environmental, health and safety, and other management systems (average comparison with ISO survey from 2019-2024). Our conscious commitment to seeking mutual gains in our network resulted in the expansion of IQNET recognition of products and services to keep the businesses competitive in this changing industry landscape.


One third of IQNET Members as national standardization bodies, assist in setting the course in the development and strategy for ISO standards. Our contribution in the Accreditation area spans from chairmanship to convenorship of permanent committees and technical working groups in International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and active membership in regional accreditation forums.

 

This trustworthiness paved the way for IQNET to being acknowledged by scheme owners, quality infrastructure entities, among others, as a main contributor and partner. To know more about our international representations, visit: International Player.


The whole IQNET is inviting the business sector, our Members’ certified clients, partners and interested parties to celebrate this important year with us. To know more about IQNET and take the opportunity to learn from the public webinars and events our network has in store for you, you may regularly visit this site: 35 Years of IQNET.