Accreditation Council – Member

About the Accreditation Council

The Accreditation Council (the Council) is an autonomous Crown entity established under the Testing Laboratory Registration Act 1972 and continues to fulfil its statutory functions today under the Standards and Accreditation Act 2015.

The Council’s activities contribute to the safeguarding of the health and well-being of New Zealanders, and helping to ensure that New Zealand products and services meet domestic and overseas regulatory and customer requirements. The Council develops and maintains internationally recognised accreditation programmes for testing and calibration laboratories, radiology services, and inspection bodies under the brand International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ).  Further information on the Council and IANZ can be found at the IANZ website.(external link)

Functions of the Council

The functions of the Council are:

• To promote the development and maintenance of good practice in conformity assessment.
• To establish and maintain accreditation schemes for conformity assessment bodies engaged in testing and inspection activities.
• To develop and maintain international recognition and acceptance of the Council’s accreditation scheme.
• To maintain appropriate international relationships consistent with the Council’s functions under this section.
• To act as New Zealand’s good laboratory practice compliance monitoring authority.
• If the Council chooses, to provide certification services.
• To perform any other functions that the Minister directs the Council to perform in accordance with section 112 of the Crown Entities Act 2004.

The Council’s accreditation programmes – functions (a) to (e) above - operate as International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ). The Council provides certification services – function (f) above - through a subsidiary, Telarc Limited, wholly owned by the Council. The Council also provides training in international standards through its training division, the New Zealand Quality College.

Council member responsibilities

Role of Members

Accreditation Council members’ responsibilities include:

• Ensure effective governance of IANZ.
• Maintaining financial oversight of the organisation.
• Provide effective leadership and direction to the organisation, consistent with the purpose of the Board and the Minister’s expectations.
• Utilise relationship management skills, including working effectively with peers and developing valuable strategic connections with industry, consumers and other stakeholders.
• Participate in the appointment of the chief executive, and provide direction and ongoing support for them.
• Supporting fellow Council members to be effective in their roles.
• Setting strategic direction and developing operational policy, consistent with the legislative and policy framework within which the Council is established and the broader interests of the Crown.
• Managing the Council’s investment in Telarc Ltd through the appointment of appropriately qualified directors and through regular monitoring of the company’s performance.
• Ensuring compliance with the Council’s legislative obligations and Ministerial expectations, and developing the Council’s accountability documents accordingly.
• Maintaining appropriate relationships with the Minister, Parliament, MBIE, and the public.

Collective and individual duties

Council members are subject to the collective and individual duties of members set out in sections 53-57 of the Crown Entities Act. Members are expected to adhere to the Public Service Commission code of conduct(external link).

Further information on how the relationships between Crown entities, Ministers, and departments work in practice can be found on the Public Service Commission’s website(external link).

Membership of the Council

The Council consists of up to seven members including the Chair, appointed by the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The appointments must ensure broad industry coverage and the appropriate expertise necessary for the Council’s activities.

Members are appointed for terms of up to three years and may be reappointed on the expiry of their term. Members may resign by written notice to the responsible Minister.

Time commitment and remuneration

Members are entitled to receive remuneration at a rate determined in accordance with Cabinet Fees Framework. Council members are paid a fee of $16,960 per annum. In addition to fees, members are entitled to be reimbursed for actual and reasonable experiences incurred while carrying out the duties of the Board.

The Council will meet as often as is necessary to carry out its role. Members are expected to attend and participate regularly in meetings consistent with the governance standards under the Crown Entities Act.

Meetings are generally held in Wellington. Materials are distributed to members in advance of the Council meetings to allow members to be thoroughly prepared.

Person specifications – Member

Specific skills required

At this time, the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is seeking candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as a member of the Accreditation Council, who can provide the following skills and experience:

• Well-developed and proven governance experience.
• An understanding of regulatory functions and powers, including experience in a regulated industry or regulatory agency.

Additional skills, experience and attributes required

Members of the Council are expected to collectively possess knowledge and experience of and capability in:

• Sector knowledge or skills in laboratory work, information technology or engineering.
• Strategic leadership.
• A clear sense of public accountability and understanding of the relationships between Government and Crown entities.
• Experience in areas such as accountancy, law, risk management and commerce.
• Strong relationship management skills, including working effectively with peers and developing valuable strategic connections with industry, consumers and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to reason objectively and convey ideas clearly and accurately.

Council members are appointed as individuals to deliver on their collective responsibilities and not as representatives of particular sectors or interest groups. Diversity of experience and the perceptions of members across the Council will be a consideration.

Applicants for a member role should have the necessary skills and experience to enable them to meet the requirements of a member in terms of the relevant legislation and have the demonstrated skills to contribute to board level decision-making. Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand.

Additional information

For further enquiries about the position, email: boardappointments@mbie.govt.nz