It points out that most of the modern trade barriers They are no longer financial, but technical. It also highlights that the effective functioning of markets is based on the confidence. which provides information about the products and services meeting requirements related to safety, quality, health or environmental protection, among others.
Thus, requirements related to evaluation activities, such as testing, inspections, certifications or verifications, now affect almost all 90% of world tradeIn this context, having reliable and internationally accepted results is essential for exporters, regulators, and buyers. The document adds that “when standards work, they build trust. They allow people and businesses to focus on creating, trading, and innovating. When standards fail, the effects are immediate and damaging.”
| Key Indicator | Impact / Scope |
|---|---|
| Impact on world trade | Almost 90% |
| Source of the Report | World Development Report 2025 |
In this context, the ENAC accreditation, an activity that in España develops ENAC, the Entidad Nacional de AcreditaciónIt occupies a prominent place. The report states that accreditation plays a central role in the quality infrastructure by providing confidence that conformity assessment bodies act with technical competence and impartialityThis guarantee is described as essential for regulators, companies, and consumers to be able to trust the results of tests, inspections, and certifications.
Greater competitiveness and international projection
El Banco Mundial It links the strength of the quality infrastructure with the Economic integration and tradeAccording to the report, “countries with stronger quality infrastructure systems — with internationally recognized accreditation systems — tend to trade more and integrate more easily into global value chains,” since conformity assessment results are accepted beyond their borders.
On the contrary, the document warns that a weak quality infrastructure It limits companies' ability to compete in both domestic and international markets. In this regard, it points out that strengthening accreditation and conformity assessment systems is "an important component of strategies aimed at productivity growth and economic development."
It also emphasizes that quality infrastructure can reduce marketing costs of products and services, since when buyers trust the reliability of the controls, they do not need to examine the products with the same level of detail, which simplifies business operations.
In the area of international trade, the Banco Mundial indicates that “the mutual recognition The results of accredited conformity assessment reduce technical barriers to trade by avoiding duplicate testing and certification,” which facilitates participation in international markets, especially for SMEs.
Finally, the report notes that quality infrastructure “often goes unnoticed, but it consistently underpins the effective functioning of economies and governments,” from boosting exports and protecting consumers to fostering innovation and environmental sustainability. It also observes that in higher-income economies, national accreditation bodies are involved in a greater number of areas covered by international recognition agreements.
Regulatory efficiency and use of public resources
In the regulatory sphere, the report indicates that in order for regulators to rely on conformity assessment results, they must trust the competence and impartiality from the organizations that issue them.
In this regard, he adds that “when regulators systematically resort to the accredited conformity assessment They can reduce duplication, lower compliance costs, and concentrate public resources on higher-risk activities.”
It also highlights that “basing regulatory decisions on accredited conformity assessment allows for a better use of public resources limited, focusing on areas where risks are highest and maintaining adequate levels of protection.”
The document adds that “quality infrastructure can make regulatory enforcement more effective and efficient,” and also warns that, in some cases, authorities set conformity assessment requirements that do not align with international good practices or manage unaccredited laboratories, which “leads to a inefficient use of public resourcesIn contrast, it points out that harmonised conformity assessment approaches allow for the selection of appropriate methods and ensure their consistency across different authorities.
Regarding the European model, the document states that “the Unión Europea considers accreditation as a function of public authority which supports the functioning of the single market.”
National Accreditation Entity (ENAC)
Key points and frequently asked questions about this analysis
What impact does quality infrastructure have on global trade? According to the report, conformity assessment requirements affect almost 90% of world trade, being key to overcoming technical barriers.
How does accreditation help optimize public spending? By relying on accredited bodies, regulators avoid duplication and can concentrate public resources on higher-risk areas, improving administrative efficiency.
What benefits does mutual recognition of accreditation bring to companies? It allows test results and certifications to be accepted internationally, avoiding costs from duplicating tests when exporting to other markets.
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