Page 7 - 2014 A2LA Annual Report

A2LA 2014 Annual Report

7

Description of A2LA Accreditation Programs

Laboratory Accreditation for Accreditation (and the corresponding R902 – Condi-
tions for Accreditation for Clinical Testing Laboratories
Laboratory accreditation is that part of the conformity Meeting the ISO 15189 Requirements).
assessment process that recognizes the technical compe-
tence of laboratories providing calibration or test data. Because of the needs of users (users of accredited
A2LA accredits all types of laboratories and thus provides laboratories) and specifiers (organizations that require
one place where a laboratory may achieve accreditation accreditation, including government and private sector
for all of its testing and calibration activities. entities), specific technical criteria have been developed
to amplify the requirements of the general criteria (e.g.
A2LA uses ISO/IEC 17025:2005 General requirements for ISO/IEC 17025) for several of the programs and fields of
the competence of testing and calibration laboratories testing and calibration.
as the general requirements for accreditation of calibra-
tion and testing (with the exception of clinical testing) A separate Scope of Accreditation is given for each field
laboratories. A2LA also offers an accreditation program which lists specific tests, types of tests, or calibrations for
for clinical testing laboratories using ISO 15189:2012, which the laboratory has been found competent. For
Medical Laboratories- Requirements for quality and calibration laboratories, Scopes of Accreditation also
competence and the requirements of 42CFR493 under include a description of the laboratory’s capabilities in
the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). terms of measurement parameter, range, calibration &
A description of the accreditation process is maintained measurement capability expressed as an uncertainty,
in A2LA’s document titled R101 - General Requirements and technique and/or equipment.
– Accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories (and the
corresponding R901 – General Requirements; Accredita- A supplement to the application for accreditation (I109
tion of Clinical Testing Laboratories Meeting the ISO 15189 – Fields of Accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories)
Requirements). The laboratory’s commitment to A2LA in describes the many technical fields and programs
pursuing accreditation is documented in R102 - Conditions for which a laboratory may apply. These include the
programs listed in Table 1.

Table 1. LABORATORY ACCREDITATION FIELDS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS
* Fields and special programs with additional requirements beyond ISO/IEC 17025

Acoustics & Vibration Tests - Consumer products Environmental * Tests for constitu- Mechanical Tests, measure-

involving the measurement of - Veterinary Diagnostics* ents in various EPA environmental ments, and evaluation of

noise emission, noise exposure, - Anti-Doping* media. physical properties of materials,

sound transmission, sound ab- Clinical * Specific clinical - Air components, and assemblies.
sorption, and vibration. laboratory tests on samples
- Water - Consumer products

Biological Biological, microbio- from humans. (This program is - Radon - EPA ENERGY STAR*

logical and biochemical testing based on ISO 15189 and CLIA - Asbestos - Fasteners and Metals

and measurement, including requirements, rather than - Bioassay - Paint

examination of foods and phar- ISO/IEC 17025.) - Solid/Hazardous Wastes - Paper

maceuticals. Construction Materials * Tests to - Environmental Lead (Pb) * - Plastics
- Food Microbiology* determine the engineering prop-
- Veterinary Diagnostics* erties of materials and products - U nderground Storage Tanks - Rubber
- Cannabis used in construction.
(KY & WY)* - Windows and Doors

- T X Department of Health Indoor Nondestructive * Examination of
Air Quality*
Calibration * Measurements typi- Electrical Tests of an electrical materials, components, and as-
cally conducted by standards and electronic nature performed
and calibration laboratories for a on instruments, equipment, ap- Forensic Examination * Testing semblies to detect discontinuities
variety of measurement quanti- pliances, components, systems,
ties. and materials. and Inspection activities which without damaging the material,

occur during the recognition, component or assembly.

Chemical Analyses and detec- - EPA ENERGY STAR* collection, analysis, and interpre- Sustainable Energy Tests for
tion including instrumental and - Electromagnetic Compatibility tation of physical evidence for efficient use of energy and tests
automated methods, and associ- (EMC) criminal and civil law or regula- of products designed to take
tory purposes. 1 advantage of sustainable and

ated physical tests on materials - Electrical Product Safety Geotechnical * Tests of soil and renewable energy sources.

and products. - Lighting/Photometrics rock to provide engineering - EPA ENERGY STAR*

- Animal Drug Testing* - Telecom data. Thermal Tests involving the
- Putting Green Materials* measurement of fire, heat, flow,
- Coal - Interoperability
- Fertilizers Information Technology * Tests temperature, and humidity.
- Wireless Technologies
- Fasteners and Metals of any aspect of a hardware or - Fire Testing
- Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
- Paint software environment. - Insulation Performance
- H earing Aid Compatibility
- Food Chemistry*
(HAC)
- Cannabis

1 See National Commission on Forensic Science (NCFS) draft views document on forensic terminology. (http://www.justice.gov/ncfs/work-products)