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Netherlands
Overview of our activities
This is the overview in figures and tables of the operational activities of the RvA in 2025.
Accreditations granted as of 31 December, 2025
New accreditations are regularly granted for the various standards. At the same time, mergers and acquisitions are also taking place in all segments, resulting in the withdrawal of accreditations. On balance, the total number of granted accreditations has decreased slightly. Within the medical laboratories, we see relatively many mergers, which is why the decrease is strongest there.
The table below shows the number of granted accreditations as of December 31, 2025, broken down by type of activity and accreditation standard. For comparison, the number of granted accreditations in 2024 is also shown.
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Standard |
Explanation |
Netherlands |
Abroad |
Total |
Netherlands |
Abroad |
Total |
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2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
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ISO/IEC 17065 |
Products and services |
62 |
3 |
65 |
63 |
3 |
66 |
ISO/IEC 17021 |
Management systems |
44 |
14 |
58 |
43 |
11 |
54 |
ISO/IEC 17024 |
Persons |
6 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
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Subtotal certification |
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112 |
17 |
129 |
112 |
14 |
126 |
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Inspection |
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ISO/IEC 17020 |
Inspection |
140 |
1 |
141 |
141 |
1 |
142 |
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Subtotal inspection |
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140 |
1 |
141 |
141 |
1 |
142 |
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RvA mark laboratories |
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ISO/IEC 17025 |
Calibration |
61 |
0 |
61 |
58 |
0 |
58 |
ISO/IEC 17025 |
Testing |
250 |
5 |
255 |
249 |
5 |
254 |
ISO/IEC 17043 |
Proficiency testing |
13 |
1 |
14 |
13 |
0 |
13 |
ISO 15189 |
Medical laboratories in MLA |
208 |
11 |
219 |
194 |
10 |
204 |
EN/ISO 17034 |
Reference materials |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
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Subtotal laboratories |
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534 |
17 |
551 |
516 |
15 |
531 |
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Verification |
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ISO/IEC 17029 |
Verification |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
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Subtotal verification |
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2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
Total number of accreditations granted |
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788 |
37 |
825 |
772 |
33 |
805 |
Accreditations worldwide in 2025
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Rest of Europe
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Worldwide
New accreditations by type
The number of initial applications in 2025 was higher than in 2024. This applies to all types of accreditations, with the exception of medical laboratories. Compared to 2024, the weighted average of the processing time in 2025 increased by 4%.
Number and processing time from application until desicion
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Type of accreditation |
New accreditations |
Average calendar days |
New accreditations |
Acerage processing time in calendar days |
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2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
3 |
304 |
6 |
346 |
Inspection |
3 |
251 |
5 |
319 |
Calibration laboratories |
0 |
- |
1 |
205 |
Testing laboratories |
4 |
354 |
4 |
311 |
Medical laboratories |
3 |
306 |
1 |
373 |
Verification |
0 |
- |
2 |
351 |
Other |
0 |
- |
0 |
- |
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Total |
13 |
308* |
19 |
321* |
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*This is a weighted average |
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Extensions of the scope of accreditation by type
The number of applications for scope extension was higher in 2025 for almost all activities than in 2024. The total weighted average of the turnaround time of the assessment of the extension applications in 2025 is more than 20% higher than in 2024. However, the average processing varies significantly depending on the activity and the individual application.
Number and processing time from application until decision
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Type of accreditation |
Extensions |
Average calendar days |
Extensions |
Average calendar days |
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2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
55 |
147 |
65 |
205 |
Inspection |
8 |
166 |
9 |
111 |
Calibration laboratories |
10 |
198 |
14 |
217 |
Testing laboratories |
117 |
142 |
115 |
182 |
Medical laboratories |
33 |
185 |
38 |
191 |
Verification |
1 |
111 |
3 |
64 |
Other |
1 |
133 |
0 |
- |
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Total |
225 |
153* |
244 |
187* |
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*This is a weighted average |
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Lenient regimes
A lenient regime applies to 17% of the accreditations granted. This percentage has increased compared to 2024. The percentages for each type of activity have generally risen as well.
Percentage of the overall accreditations for the relevant activity subject to a lenient regime
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2024 |
2025 |
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Certification |
9% |
10% |
Inspection |
20% |
24% |
Calibration laboratories |
11% |
10% |
Testing laboratories |
9% |
10% |
Medical laboratories |
25% |
28% |
Organizers of proficiency testing schemes |
14% |
8% |
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Total |
15% |
17% |
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Disputes, suspensions and withdrawals
If an RvA assessment team is of the opinion that a customer does not meet the requirements, the team files a so-called non-conformity. It is possible that the customer does not agree with the team’s interpretation of the requirements. In that case, the assessed party has the option of filing an interpretation dispute. The handling of such a dispute reveals how the standard should be interpreted. In 2025, following a slight decrease in the number of disputes the previous year, the figure will return to the 2023 level.
The outcomes of interpretation disputes in 2025
The outcomes of interpretation disputes in 2025 (including ‘Pending’)
Withdrawn accreditations for some of the work areas
The table below shows per activity how many accreditations were withdrawn voluntarily and imposed in 2025 for some of the work areas. For comparison, the figures for 2024 are also shown.
Withdrawn accreditations for some of the work areas
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Accreditation category |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
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2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
7 |
0 |
7 |
15 |
0 |
15 |
Inspection |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
13 |
Calibration laboratories |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Testing laboratories |
2 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Medical laboratories |
20 |
0 |
20 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Total |
29 |
0 |
29 |
32 |
0 |
32 |
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Suspended accreditations for the entire scope
The table below shows per activity how many accreditations were suspended voluntarily and imposed in 2025 for the entire scope. For comparison, the figures for 2024 are also shown.
Suspended accreditations for the entire scope
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Accreditation category |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
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2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
2 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
Inspection |
5 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
Calibration laboratories |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
Testing laboratories |
4 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
7 |
Medical laboratories |
12 |
0 |
12 |
13 |
2 |
15 |
Other |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
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Total |
24 |
0 |
24 |
39 |
3 |
42 |
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Suspended accreditations for some of the work areas
The table below shows per activity how many accreditations were suspended voluntary and imposed in 2025 for some of the work areas. For comparison, the figures for 2024 are also shown.
Suspended accreditations for part of the work areas
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Accreditation category |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
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2024* |
2024 |
2024 |
2025 |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Inspection |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Calibration laboratories |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Testing laboratories |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Medical laboratories |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Other |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Total |
5 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
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* Some of the suspensions have now been lifted (2024: 2 certification bodies and 1 testing laboratory) |
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Suspended accreditations for the entire scope
The table below shows per activity how many accreditations were suspended voluntary and imposed in 2025 for the entire scope. For comparison, the figures for 2024 are also shown.
Suspended accreditations for the entire scope
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Accreditation category |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
Voluntary |
Imposed |
Total |
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2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2025* |
2025 |
2025 |
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Certification |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Inspection |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Calibration laboratories |
1 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Testing laboratories |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Medical laboratories |
2 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
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Total |
4 |
3 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
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* Some of the suspensions have since been lifted (2025: 1 medical laboratory) |
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The handling of complaints
In accordance with the Dutch General Administrative Law Act (Algemene wet bestuursrecht), the RvA has a complaints procedure in place for any complaintsabout the RvA as an administrative authority. This procedure, QA008, can be accessed directly via our website (www.rva.nl/en).
The graphic shows the number of complaints received about the RvA (with a breakdown by complainant’s area of work).
A complaint concerns the conduct of the RvA or an RvA staff member. In 2025, we received 21 complaints, 18 of which were admissible. Most complaints concerned (the timeliness of) communication or the application of RvA procedures.
The RvA always enters into direct dialogue with the complainant. This has proven to be the best way to resolve the complaint to the complainant’s satisfaction.
Sometimes enquiries are received as complaints; these enquiries are answered and the complaints are recorded as inadmissible. Other inadmissible complaints do not, in most cases, concern the conduct of the RvA or an RvA employee.
Notifications and signals
In the event of dissatisfaction or doubts about the work of an accredited organisation, a notification can be submitted to the RvA. As a rule, the person submitting the notification has already complained to the accredited institution. If this is not the case, the RvA will, as it sees fit, incorporate the information into the supervision of the accredited organisation.
The graphic shows the number of reports received about accredited organizations.
A notification must be about the activities for which the organisation is accredited. Notifications contribute to the ability to express justified confidence in the accredited institution.
Most of the notifications are inadmissable. Often, the submitter has not first raised the issue with the accredited organisation to give it the opportunity to offer a solution. Another reason for declaring a report inadmissible is that it does not relate to accredited activities.
The majority of admissible notifications in 2025 concerned activities in the field of inspection. Notifications or signals are, in principle, investigated during the next regular assessment. Following a report, the RvA executive board may decide to carry out an additional assessment if the content of the report appears so serious that the reliability of the accredited organisation’s work must be called into question.
In 2025, five additional assessments are planned to investigate the reports. In 2024, there were two.
Objections and freedom of information requests
In 2025, 4 objections were submitted:
Enhanced assessment programme (objection withdrawn): 1
Decision on a request under the Open Government Act (Woo): 2
Decision on suspension: 1
In 2025, 9 Woo requests were submitted:
Withdrawn: 2
Inadmissible: 3
Documents shared with personal data and confidential documents redacted: 3
Documents not shared on the grounds of confidentiality of the information: 1
