Certification can be relatively expensive, particularly if national certification and accreditation bodies are non existent, or if self certification or certification by national bodies is not accepted in overseas markets.

While firms face the challenge of establishing an EMS with a view to seeking third party certification, local certification bodies, particularly those in developing countries, have to equip themselves in order to compete with the many foreign certification bodies that operate in their countries.

Once such procedures are seen to be sound and beyond question, the accreditation of NIs in international forums could be commensurate with the institution's accreditation to the ICC.

The international value of ISO 14001 certification, however, depends on the confidence that others have in the body that performs the certification and in the process it uses.

Cooperation among certifying bodies should be promoted and enhanced.

Several developing countries have accredited certification bodies.

They provide opportunities for mutual learning by certification bodies and the business community.

According to the statistics of the State Administration for Market Regulation, there are more than 130 service certification institutions with over 2000 service certification staff and nearly 8000 valid authentication certificates at present in our country.

Mutual recognition of certification bodies was needed to facilitate international trade.

For widespread confidence in ISO 14001 certification, each country will need to have a rigorous and reliable mechanism to support accreditation of certification bodies and provide assurance that certification is done rigorously and fairly.

The distinction between, on one hand, the accreditation bodies responsible for the formal recognition of a body or an individual as a competent certifier and, on the other hand, the certification body which audits and recognizes an entity as meeting a standard, such as ISO 14001, was highlighted.

Accreditation allows the educational establishments to issue diplomas and award degrees that are recognised by the state.

4 Other circumstances recognized by securities regulatory agency under the State Council.

The issue of accreditation of NIs is thus determinant of the nature of the participation of NIs in international forums.

One could consider a second tier National Institution' status whereby accredited NIs can participate and speak in their own right, and non accredited NIs could participate as observers but would only have a speaking role as part of their government's delegation or possibly as an accredited NGO.

This will require the establishment, strengthening and international recognition of services for calibration and metrology, product testing, product and enterprise certification, laboratory accreditation, and mutual recognition between accreditation bodies.

To date, the ICC has accredited 50 NIs to form what is known as the Group of NIs of the ICC.

International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions and its Accreditation Subcommittee

Provided that it is necessary to prove the literacy of the party involved, he she shall tender his her academic certificate, degree certificate or certificate issued by the school or relevant certification authority or apply for a notarization according to the law.

Experience with ISO 9000 shows that the absence of the necessary infrastructure in developing countries reduces the chances of achieving certification.

It has generated new and often lucrative business opportunities for certification bodies and consultants.

However, some were of the opinion that existing standards for certification bodies were insufficient as a basis for mutual recognition.

In addition, there are provisionally approved certification bodies with headquarters in Costa Rica and Kenya.

22. Several experts highlighted the need for internationally recognized certification and accreditation system and referred to the work of the bodies of the Quality System Assessment Recognition (QSAR) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

The said papers shall be certified by the foreign affairs authorities of the adoptive parent's country or by an agency authorized to perform this function by the said authorities, and shall in addition be authenticated by the embassy or consulate of the People's Republic of China in that country.

Under paragraph (2), the organ or authority competent for authorizing certification authorities in the enacting State was given the possibility of recognizing certificates issued by foreign certification authorities under the conditions it stipulated.

The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the IAEA and its Director General is clear evidence of the global recognition of the Agency's achievements.

Accreditation of national human rights institutions was discussed and representatives of national human rights institutions indicated that strengthening of the Credentials Committee of the International Coordination Committee of national institutions would help address concerns regarding compliance with the Paris Principles.

The agency appointed by securities regulatory agency under the State Council should perform supervision and administration roles and responsibilities within the scope of authorization from the securities regulatory agency under the State Council.

(4) Deposit banks, designated commercial banks, asset management agencies, security exchanges, securities registration and clearing agencies of a securities firm

It was pointed out that mutual recognition should be based on criteria for certification bodies and accreditation systems.

Specific measures shall be formulated by the securities regulatory agency under the State Council.

Pilot schemes provide opportunities for mutual learning by the local certification bodies and firms in interpreting the requirements of ISO 14001.

A view was expressed that the trustworthiness of a certificate might depend on the actions of a certification authority with respect to that particular certificate, not on institutional factors.

To date, ICC has accredited 51 NHRIs deemed to be in compliance with the Paris Principles, with the number increasing annually (1999 15 2000 26 2001 32 2002 40 2003 45 2004 50).

Proliferation of certification bodies and the impact on the quality of certification

This raises questions regarding the existing certification infrastructure in developing countries and the associated costs.

In 1995, the Korean Standards Association (KSA) set up training activities jointly with certification bodies from the United Kingdom.

In some cases pilot schemes have been set up in cooperation with certification bodies in developed countries.

(5) Securities service agencies provided services for a securities firm.

Certifying authority and it can enter into contracts

It is hoped that work on conformity assessment for EMS should result in internationally harmonized accreditation systems for EMS certification bodies, which will support universal recognition of ISO certifications.

(5) Where an asset management agency and a securities registration and clearing agency does not report to the securities regulatory agency of the State Council when it finds trust funds and assets and securities in secured accounts of clients are used in violation of provisions.

Article 96 The securities registration and clearing agency hereof refers to the securities registration and clearing agency prescribed in Article 155 of the Securities Law of the People s Republic of China.

ICC Members Institutions which have been accredited by the ICC, serve for a two year period and are eligible for re election.