Accreditation Council – Member position description
C
February 2024
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.
Functions of the Council
The functions of the Council are:
a) to promote the development and maintenance of good practice in conformity assessment
b) to establish and maintain accreditation schemes for conformity assessment bodies engaged in testing and
inspection activities
c) to develop and maintain international recognition and acceptance of the Council’s accreditation scheme
d) to maintain appropriate international relationships consistent with the Council’s functions under this section
e) to act as New Zealand’s good laboratory practice compliance monitoring authority
f) if the Council chooses, to provide certification services; and
g) 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, whol y 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
Accred itation Council – Member position description
• supporting fel ow 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.
Col ective and individual duties
Council members are subject to the col ective 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.
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.
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 al ow members to be thoroughly prepared.
Person specifications – Member
Specific skil s 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 skil s, 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
Accred itation Council – Member position description
• 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 skil s 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: [email address]
