The Seventh International Conference “Quality and Competence 2026” was held from 15 to 17 October 2026 at Hotel Sileks in Ohrid, organised by the Institute for Accreditation of the Republic of North Macedonia (IARNM) and the Macedonian Association of Laboratories and Inspection Bodies (MAKLAB).
This year’s conference attracted considerable interest from national and international stakeholders in the fields of quality and accreditation. The event brought together representatives of the European Federation of National Associations of Measurement, Testing and Analytical Laboratories (EUROLAB); national laboratory associations from Macedonia, Croatia, Germany and Turkey ; accreditation bodies from Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro; as well as representatives of testing and calibration laboratories from the country and the wider region.
The opening ceremony included welcoming addresses by MSc Niko Berberu, Director of IARNM; MSc Magdalena Trajkovska Trpevska, President of MAKLAB; Andreas Kinzl, President of EUROLAB; MSc Dragan Pushara, Director of the Serbian Accreditation Body (ATS); Dr Drazan Primorac, Director of the Accreditation Institute of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BATA); Anita Krulanović, Director of the Montenegrin Accreditation Body (ATCG); as well as representatives of CROLAB and TURKLAB. The speakers emphasised the importance of mutual cooperation and the exchange of experience as key elements in improving the quality and competence of laboratories and conformity assessment bodies.
The conference addressed the following thematic areas:
- Quality infrastructure and harmonisation of evaluation and accreditation principles;
- Digitalisation and the application of artificial intelligence in laboratories;
- Sustainability and good practices in laboratories;
- Laboratory experiences in the implementation and maintenance of quality management systems.
A total of 18 scientific and professional papers by national and international authors were presented during the conference. The papers covered current issues related to accreditation, the application of international standards, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, environmental protection and the improvement of laboratory processes.
IARNM also made a significant contribution to the technical programme through presentations delivered by Sandra Kosteska, entitled “Environmental Sampling – An Important Tool for Assessing and Managing Environmental Risks, Safeguarding Public Health and Supporting Regulatory Decision-Making”, and Teodora Tashеvska, entitled “Accreditation of Opinions and Interpretations by IARNM”.
The conference aimed to facilitate the exchange of scientific knowledge, professional experience and good practices, while contributing to the development and continuous improvement of the quality and competence of laboratories and inspection bodies, strengthening quality infrastructure, and enhancing cooperation at both national and international levels.
Through its active participation as co-organiser, IARNM once again reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accreditation, enhancing the competence of conformity assessment bodies, and fostering regional and international cooperation in the field of quality.
