Dominican Republic leads dialogue on accreditation and business competitiveness

More than 26 countries gathered this Thursday to position the Dominican Republic as a regional benchmark in accreditation and business competitiveness. The First Business Meeting on Conformity Assessment, Accreditation, Industry and Government, held within the framework of the 34th General Assembly of the Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC), highlighted accreditation as a driver of trust, sustainability and opening of international markets.

The event, led by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and SMEs (MICM), Víctor -Ito- Bisonó, and the executive director of the Dominican Accreditation Body (ODAC), Ángel David Taveras Difo, demonstrated that accreditation not only guarantees international standards, but also strengthens consumer confidence and contributes to the sustainable economic growth of companies.

The program included presentations by national and international experts on circular economy, sustainable business models, and innovative strategies to combine profitability and environmental responsibility, highlighting their impact on expansion into international markets.

In his speech, Taveras Difo highlighted that accreditation goes beyond a technical requirement and constitutes a strategic investment that enhances competitiveness, strengthens confidence in “Made in the Dominican Republic” and opens opportunities in international markets. “Investing in quality is investing in the economic future of our country and its regional leadership,” he added.

For his part, Minister Víctor -Ito- Bisonó stated that “the great advances in trade, industry, and services are born when governments, companies, and specialized organizations work together to define standards and open new markets.” He emphasized that this First Business Meeting marks a turning point in which quality becomes a shared language, cooperation becomes competitiveness, and innovation becomes the key to opening new horizons.

He also highlighted that the strategic vision of the Dominican Government drives the Dominican Republic as a reliable, competitive partner integrated into global value chains.

The president of IAAC, Andrea Melo, added that the challenges of sustainability and market openness cannot be addressed in isolation. “Regional cooperation transforms accreditation into a real engine of development, because its benefits are only achieved when built on trust and mutual recognition between brother countries. Thus, companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, can access international markets on equal terms,” Melo affirmed.

During the meeting, ODAC recognized seven companies and institutions for their commitment to excellence and quality: Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD), Instituto Dominicano para la Calidad (INDOCAL), Instituto Nacional de Protección de los Derechos del Consumidor (PROCONSUMIDOR), Casa Brugal R.D., AENOR Confía, Sostenibilidad 3Rs&Es, and InMetrology S.R.L.

The event resulted in a roadmap to strengthen alliances between industry, accreditation bodies, and governments, with the aim of driving sustainable productive transformation and positioning the region as a benchmark in responsible trade and certified quality.

About the ODAC:

The Dominican Accreditation Body is the entity responsible for accrediting conformity assessment bodies in the Dominican Republic. This includes laboratories, inspection entities, and certification bodies that verify the quality and safety of products, services, and systems.

About IAAC:

The Interamerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) is the regional association of accreditation bodies and other organizations interested in conformity assessment in the Americas. Its main objective is to promote the regional and international acceptance of accreditations granted by its members, as well as the certificates and results issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies.