ISO performs accreditation and certification activities.

The assertion that ISO performs accreditation and certification activities is incorrect because the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) itself does not directly engage in either accreditation or certification. Instead, ISO develops and publishes international standards, which are then adopted by various organizations.

Accreditation is the process through which an authoritative body gives formal recognition that an organization is competent to carry out specific tasks, while certification refers to the formal confirmation that an organization or product meets specific standards. Both processes are typically conducted by third-party entities or organizations that are independent of ISO.

Therefore, stating that ISO conducts these activities would misrepresent the organization's role in the standards ecosystem. Understanding this distinction is key to recognizing the functions and responsibilities associated with ISO as a standard-setting body rather than a certifying or accrediting entity.