Monday 16 / February / 2026
Muscat: The “Empowering the National Accreditation System and Achieving International Recognition” seminar, organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion in Muscat on Monday, reviewed the role of accreditation in elevating the Sultanate of Oman’s evaluation in the International Quality Infrastructure Index and the significance of securing such recognition.
The seminar highlighted several themes in the field of accreditation, most notably the Omani Accreditation Centre, its committees, and its role in serving conformity assessment bodies in the Sultanate of Oman.
It also addressed the role of accreditation in raising Oman’s rank in the International Quality Infrastructure Index, which is issued by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), alongside the importance of obtaining international recognition and enhancing the technical competence of technical assessors during accreditation processes for laboratories and other related entities.
Imad Khamis Al Shukaili, Director General of Specifications and Measurements at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, stated that the seminar underscores the Ministry’s commitment to promoting an accreditation culture among government and private entities.
He explained that accreditation is a fundamental pillar of quality infrastructure worldwide, noting that approximately 100 national accreditation bodies globally have achieved international recognition. These bodies undertake a pivotal role in ensuring the competence and integrity of assessment and conformity activities, including laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies.
He noted that the Ministry has adopted several initiatives to develop this sector, launching nine initiatives covering various standardization fields such as specifications, conformity, metrology, laboratories, and accreditation. Among these is the initiative to establish the Omani Accreditation Center, for which a specific roadmap has been prepared—spanning from its establishment to achieving international recognition.
He added that various training programs related to different accreditation fields have been implemented to qualify Omani assessors in testing and calibration laboratories, inspection bodies, and certification bodies for products, management systems, and Halal products. Furthermore, a Quality Manual for the Omani Accreditation Centre has been prepared in accordance with international specifications and requirements.
He mentioned that through this national project, the Ministry seeks to enhance the efficiency of the national accreditation system and secure international recognition for the center, fulfilling the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises quality, excellence, and innovation as key enablers for sustainable development.
This system will serve as an economic tool directly contributing to accelerating the access of Omani products to international markets, increasing export volume, reducing export costs, raising the competitiveness of national products, and diversifying export markets to reduce reliance on specific markets.
He stated that the next phase of the project to develop the standards and metrology system will focus on improving the manufacturing sector, food and pharmaceutical industries, minerals and precious metals, construction materials, energy, and the environment.
He also noted that work is currently underway to approve the National Halal System and finalize the National Quality and Standardisation Strategy, which serves as a roadmap for developing the institutional quality infrastructure in the Sultanate of Oman, enhancing Omani product competitiveness, and supporting exports.
For his part, Khalid Abdullah Al Saadi, Director General of the GCC Accreditation Center, explained that the Omani Accreditation Center represents a milestone in Oman’s quality journey.
He described it as a fundamental pillar for empowering the national economy, enhancing its confidence, and opening new horizons for Omani products and services in global markets.
He added that the GCC Accreditation Center has become a regional platform hosting world-class expertise leading the helm of quality and accreditation on the international stage, noting that this expertise is not exclusive to the centre but is a wealth of knowledge that the center seeks to localize and invest in across all GCC countries to achieve global leadership. -ONA
