Pakistan secures six-year extension as‘Full Signatory of Washington Accord’

Pakistan has received a six-year extension in its title as a Full Signatory of the Washington Accord, bringing good news for the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) this June, similar to June 2017 when the regulatory body first obtained this prestigious status.
This decision for extension was made in the International Engineering Alliance Meeting (IEAM 2024) held on June 13, 2024, in New Delhi, India.
The Washington Accord establishes criteria, policies, and procedures for accrediting engineering academic programs. Signatories agree to accept each other’s accreditation decisions and to publish statements certifying their intent to do so. This mutual recognition ensures “substantial equivalence” of their engineering programs in meeting academic requirements. Signatories also commit to exchanging information, conducting mutual monitoring, observing accreditation visits, and promoting best practices. The Accord facilitates the effective mutual recognition of accredited Engineering Degree courses across signatory countries. Australia and the United States continue to serve as Chairman and Secretariat, respectively.
PEC, representing Pakistan, achieved this distinguished status in 2017 after first pursuing it in 2011. This multinational agreement, initiated in the UK and signed in 1989, promotes the mutual recognition of engineering accreditation worldwide.
Signatories to the Washington Accord have full participation rights, recognizing qualifications accredited or recognized by each other as substantially equivalent within their jurisdictions. Qualifications accredited under the Accord are listed on the Washington Accord Accredited Qualifications list, with the requirement that they must have been completed in or after 2017.
This achievement has provided engineers from Pakistan with significant opportunities, including studying abroad and obtaining employment, without barriers such as Competency Demonstration Reports (CDRs). They are also eligible for Skills Assessment via the Accredited Qualifications pathway for migration purposes.