Page 8 - 2015 A2LA AnnualReport

Proficiency Testing Provider proficiency testing provider’s commitment to A2LA The requirements for this program are based on
Accreditation in pursuing accreditation is documented in R102 - those contained in ISO Guide 34, General require-
Conditions for Accreditation. ments for the competence of reference material
Proficiency testing (PT) programs are used by A2LA producers. A description of the accreditation
as part of the laboratory accreditation assessment In 2014, A2LA was recognized under the APLAC process is maintained in A2LA’s document titled
process to determine the ability of laboratories Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for the R304 - General Requirements: Accreditation of
to competently perform tests, calibrations or proficiency testing provider accreditation program. ISO Guide 34 Reference Materials Producers. The
inspection activities for which accreditation is reference material producer’s commitment to
held. Proficiency testing programs are also used A2LA has also been recognized by The NELAC A2LA in pursuing accreditation is documented in
by accreditation bodies and regulators to monitor Institute (TNI) as a proficiency testing provider R102 - Conditions for Accreditation. ISO Guide
accredited laboratories’ continuing performance. accreditor (PTPA). By virtue of this recognition, 34 sets out the general requirements with which
Laboratories can rely on PT programs for monitor- A2LA is able to conduct assessments to the a reference material producer must demonstrate
ing ongoing technical competencies and as a stringent TNI requirements and offer accreditation compliance if it is to be recognized as competent
training tool for new analysts. that covers all of the TNI fields of proficiency testing to carry out the production of reference materials.
(including providers of Stationary Source Audit It is recognized that each reference material
The A2LA proficiency testing provider accredita- Samples). The A2LA TNI PTPA Program is based on needs to be characterized mainly to the level of
tion program is designed for proficiency testing Volume 3 – General Requirements for Environmen- accuracy required for its intended purpose (i.e.
providers who wish to demonstrate their technical tal Proficiency Testing Providers. appropriate measurement uncertainty).
competence by formal compliance with a set
of internationally-accepted requirements for A2LA recommends that, wherever possible, Product Certification Body
the planning and implementation of proficiency A2LA-accredited testing and calibration laborato- Accreditation
testing programs. The program also provides ries use accredited proficiency testing providers to
users of proficiency testing programs (laboratories, meet the accreditation requirements for participa- The certification of a product (a term used
accreditation bodies such as A2LA, technical tion in proficiency testing. to include a process or service) is a means of
assessors, government agencies, etc.) increased providing assurance that the product, process or
confidence that the PT programs being relied Reference Material Producer service complies with specified standards or other
upon are being operated competently in Accreditation normative documents. The value of certifica-
accordance with specified technical and tion is the degree of confidence and trust that
management system requirements. The A2LA accreditation program for reference is established by an impartial and competent
material producers is designed for producers of demonstration of fulfillment of specified require-
The specific assessment requirements for this reference materials who wish to demonstrate their ments by a third party. A description of the
program are based on the requirements technical competence by formal compliance with accreditation process is maintained in A2LA’s
contained in ISO/IEC 17043, Conformity Assess- a set of internationally-recognized criteria. The document titled R307 - General Requirements:
ment – General requirements for proficiency program provides users of reference materials, Accreditation of ISO/IEC 17065 Product
testing. A description of the accreditation such as testing and calibration laboratories, Certification Bodies.2
process is maintained in A2LA’s document titled with increased confidence that the reference
R302 - General Requirements: Accreditation of materials being relied upon are being produced A2LA accreditation attests that a product
ISO/IEC 17043 Proficiency Testing Providers. The in accordance with specified technical and certification body has demonstrated that:
management system requirements and are of
appropriate quality.

2 A2LA’s Product Certification Accreditation Program began transitioning accreditations to the new ISO/IEC 17065:2012 standard in March 2013. An official transition memorandum, R307 - Transition Memoran-
dum to ISO/IEC 17065, was published in November 2012 and outlined the steps A2LA would be taking over the next few years in order to bring all accredited Product Certification Bodies into compliance
with the new standard. As an IAF MLA signatory, A2LA was required to have all accredited Product Certification Bodies fully accredited (that is, assessment complete and Accreditation Council approval
obtained) no later than September 15, 2015. A2LA successfully completed this transition in August 2015.

8 2015 Annual Report