The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), operating as JANAAC Global Accreditation, one of 20 agencies in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC), Jamaica’s Business Ministry, has secured its fifth major international recognition, marking another significant step in strengthening Jamaica’s position in global trade. 

On February 16, 2026, JANAAC was accepted by the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) as a signatory to its Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) for the accreditation of Quality Management Systems (QMS) certification bodies under the ISO/IEC 17021-1 standard.

This recognition means that organisations certified to the ISO 9001 standard by JANAAC-accredited bodies will now have their quality management systems accepted across IAAC member countries and international partners without the need for additional certification.

In practical terms, Jamaican businesses will find it easier to access international markets, reduce duplication of costs, and build greater trust with overseas partners, strengthening their competitive edge locally and globally.

Senator  Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, welcomed the achievement, describing it as a vital step in strengthening Jamaica’s economic competitiveness. “This recognition reflects the strength of Jamaica’s economic management and our clear focus on building a more productive and competitive economy. It is also a key pillar in strengthening a more resilient national quality infrastructure; one that enables

Jamaican businesses to operate more efficiently, meet international standards, and access regional and global markets with greater ease. Through the work of the Ministry and agencies like JANAAC Global Accreditation, we are building export-ready industries, attracting investment, and increasing global confidence in Jamaican goods and services.”

Reflecting on the milestone, Dr. Yvette Castell, Acting Chief Executive Officer of JANAAC, stated: “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects JANAAC’s strategic commitment to securing international recognition across all its accreditation programmes.

This milestone will directly benefit our clients and the markets they serve. I also wish to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of the JANAAC team, past and present, including former CEO Dr. Sharonmae Smith Walker, under whose leadership this journey began.”

JANAAC Global Accreditation holds IAAC MLA recognition across multiple standards, including ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories, ISO 15189 for medical laboratories and ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection bodies.

As the only internationally recognised accreditation body in the English-speaking Caribbean, JANAAC plans to deepen regional and international cooperation initiatives to improve trade facilitation for businesses in the eleven (11) CARICOM member states which it currently serves.