One Thing About the Code Council: Spotlighting IAS

The One Thing About the Code Council series offers focused insights into our people, services, codes and standards. The series showcases different parts of the Code Council family of solutions and their activities, from the development of building codes and standards to the dedicated professionals behind them. 

The International Accreditation Service (IAS) is a vital member of the International Code Council family of solutions, providing accreditation services that ensure the highest levels of quality and competence across a wide range of industries. Established as a global leader in accreditation, IAS plays an essential role in the building industry by promoting safety, reliability and trust through its accreditation processes.

This article will provide an overview of IAS, highlighting its significant contributions to the building safety industry.

Understanding the Importance of Accreditation

Accreditation provides recognition that a company or organization meets specific standards of quality and competence, which is especially important in the building industry, as buildings directly impact public safety and environmental sustainability.

Accreditation from IAS is a badge of honor in the building industry, symbolizing a commitment to excellence, safety and continuous improvement. By offering a wide range of accreditation programs, IAS helps uphold the integrity of the building industry and ensures that public safety remains a top priority.

IAS Accreditation Programs

IAS offers a comprehensive range of accreditation programs designed to serve various aspects of the building and construction industry. These programs are based on internationally recognized standards and offer independent verification of an organization’s capability and competency. 

Here are some of the key accreditation programs provided by IAS:

Building Department Accreditation Program 

The Building Department Accreditation Program is designed to assess the performance of building departments that enforce construction codes and standards. Accreditation in this area recognizes that the department operates efficiently and is committed to continuous improvement in its operations.  

Standards-Developing Organization (SDO) Accreditation Program 

A recent addition to IAS’s portfolio is the SDO Accreditation Program, which focuses on accrediting organizations that develop consensus standards. This program ensures that SDOs adhere to processes that are transparent, balanced and open to all stakeholders.  

Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation 

IAS also accredits testing and calibration laboratories, which play a critical role in evaluating building materials and products. This accreditation ensures that laboratories operate under quality control measures and that their testing results are reliable, accurate and consistent. 

Inspection Agencies Accreditation 

Accreditation of inspection agencies recognizes that these organizations are qualified to perform inspections in construction and manufacturing processes.  

Product Certification Bodies Accreditation 

IAS accredits certification bodies that verify the compliance of building materials, products, and systems, helping to ensure that only certified products are used in construction projects. 

Special Inspection Agency Accreditation 

IAS accredits special inspection agencies to ensure they meet the requirements of various building codes, verifying that they are qualified to perform inspections for construction projects.  

To learn more about the products and services offered by IAS, click here.