The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) is a global association of accreditation bodies and other entities interested in conformity assessment across management systems, products, processes, services, personnel, validation, verification, and similar conformity assessment programs. IAF primary function is to develop a unified worldwide program of conformity assessment, aimed at reducing risk for businesses and their customers by ensuring that accredited certificates and validation and verification statements are trustworthy and reliable.
GSTC became an official Association Member of the IAF in November 2024. Associate Membership is for organizations involved in the use or implementation of certification / registration systems.
GSTC Certification is an internationally recognized certification program that assesses and validates tourism businesses and destinations to GSTC Criteria, the global standards for sustainable tourism and travel, or GSTC-Recognized standards. Through certification, GSTC helps ensure certified entities follow sustainable practices, contributing to the global tourism industry’s sustainability goals and promoting responsible travel and tourism.
By joining IAF, GSTC strengthens its commitment to promoting sustainable tourism standards worldwide, working alongside other industry leaders to foster greater trust, consistency, and reliability in accredited certification processes. This membership reinforces the shared vision of reducing risks and enhancing the reliability of Accredited Certification Bodies, ultimately strengthening the tourism industry by promoting trust, consistency, and sustainable growth across destinations and businesses worldwide.
