ISAC may establish committees, such as advisory committees, to handle specific aspects of accreditation activities on behalf of the division under the Accreditation Act. One of these is the Advisory Council, which operates for two years at a time. ISAC appoints the chairman of the Advisory Council, while the main stakeholders nominate other members of the Council. ISAC sets the Council's rules of procedure, which include provisions for the competence of the Council's members, impartiality and confidentiality. Work within the Council is unpaid.
The purpose of the Advisory Council is to support that ISAC meets the requirements of laws, regulations and international standards on the involvement of key stakeholders in the accreditation activities and to harmonise the understanding and interpretation of the requirements with which conformity is assessed.
The Advisory Council also plays a key role in increasing the contacts and consultations between stakeholders and ISAC. It has an advisory function for ISAC’s general activities, strategy and development and provides professional advice to ISAC and the Ministry on issues of accreditation.
The Advisory Council does not influence decisions on individual accreditations. However, ISAC shall always consider and address any suggestions and feedback that the Council may make regarding ISAC's impartiality.
The roles of the Advisory Council include:
Provide ISAC with advice on issues directly related to the its operations. This includes, for example, key considerations related to technical and administrative needs and stakeholder perspectives and how accreditation will best benefit them.
Monitor and discuss ISAC's risk and impartiality analyses of its activities for safeguarding its impartiality.
Provide support to ISAC in advising the Ministry of Employment and the Economy as well as other ministries and institutions on accreditation activities in the country.
Make recommendations for the strategic planning of ISAC's activities when appropriate, with special regard to the views of stakeholders.
Be a liaison between stakeholders and ISAC to ensure good cooperation and transparency in information in order to build trust in the accreditation activity and that it best serves the needs of Icelandic society.
Discuss and make proposals to ISAC on new accreditation areas and advise on the best way to cooperate with stakeholders. The Advisory Council can also provide ISAC with an opinion on which services should be offered or whether to continue or to stop offering certain accreditation services.
Participate in the promotion of accreditation activities. The main focus will be on informing public bodies and private market actors how accreditation can be used, e.g. for use in official supervision by various public authorities and when purchasing services.
Provide commentary on ISAC's documents and address legislation and regulations related to accreditation.
Seek cooperation with committees and councils that deal with issues related to accreditation.
Name:
Appointed by:
Ágúst Þór Jónsson
ISAC (Chairman)
Árni H. Kristinsson
Accredited Bodies Stakholder Group within SVÞ
Benedikt G. Waage
Icelandic Transport Authority
Benedikt S. Benediktsson
The Federation of Trade and Services (SVÞ)
Helga Sigrún Harðardóttir
Icelandic Standards
Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir
Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority
Jóhann Pétur Pétursson
The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health
