What is accreditation?
Accreditation, in terms of a testing or calibration laboratory, means that a recognized agency or organization (e.g. A2LA, PRI/Nadcap, NAVLAP) has assessed the competency, procedures, processes and equipment of the laboratory using set criteria and has determined that the company meets international standards. Accreditation is official recognition and public notification that the laboratory meets standards of quality verified by the accrediting agency for a specified list of services.
Certificate of Laboratory Accreditation
The value of accreditation
- Shows that the laboratory has been audited by an internationally recognized agency
- Accrediting agencies follow a strict list of criteria to determine laboratory competency
- Many industries require that their suppliers provide certifications from an accredited laboratory (e.g. nuclear, military and aerospace)
- Accreditation is frequently used to qualify a laboratory rather than performing an audit or survey
Even for companies in industries that do not require accreditation, a laboratory’s accreditation is reassurance that your testing or calibration will be performed under stringent criteria for quality and accuracy.