The United Kingdom Accreditation Service is the sole national accreditation body recognised by government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. Accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of these evaluators. UKAS is a non-profit-distributing company, limited by guarantee, and operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government through the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. "Accreditation has a very key role to play in ensuring the competence and integrity of organisations that provide testing, certification, inspection and calibration services. It is up to the market to decide on quality issues. Government can only advise and encourage best practice. In our view, businesses should look first for the national accreditation Mark, which embraces the Royal Crown signifying Government recognition." Lord Sainsbury | 
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