What does ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation mean?
Laboratory accreditation uses criteria and procedures specifically developed to determine technical competence. Technical assessors conduct a thorough evaluation of all factors in a lab that affect the generation of testing and calibration data. The criteria are based on the internationally-accepted standard ISO/IEC 17025, used for the evaluation of laboratories throughout the world, and other technical program requirements developed with regulators and specifiers.
Laboratory accreditation bodies use the ISO/IEC 17025 standard specifically to assess factors relevant to a laboratory's ability to produce precise, accurate test and calibration data, including:
- Technical competence of staff
- Validity and appropriateness of test methods
- Traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards
- Suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment; quality assurance of test and calibration data
- Testing environment and sampling, handling, and transportation of test items
Laboratory accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 covers the same quality management system principles that are addressed in ISO 9001 registration. To ensure continued compliance, accredited laboratories are regularly re-assessed to check that they are maintaining their standard of technical expertise. These laboratories are also required to participate in regular proficiency testing programs (where applicable) as an ongoing demonstration of their competence.
How does this benefit you?
Laboratory accreditation provides formal recognition to competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services able to meet their needs. Specifically, lab accreditation:
- Minimizes risk
You know you are choosing a technically-competent lab that has a sound quality system in place. - Provides credibility
Enhance your customers' confidence in your product by assuring them that it has been thoroughly evaluated by an independent, competent testing or calibration laboratory that has itself been assessed by a third party. - Improve acceptance of your goods internationally
Through a system of international agreements, notably the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation [ILAC] Mutual Recognition Arrangement, accredited laboratories receive international recognition, which allows their data to be more readily accepted in foreign markets. This recognition helps reduce costs by reducing or eliminating the need for retesting in the import country.
In addition to laboratory testing services, calibrations performed by Q-Lab using the Unversal Calibrator system are ISO 17025 accredited. This means that irradiance and temperature sensors on Q-Lab testers can be trusted to give accurate, precise monitoring and control of test conditions.
ISO 17025 / A2LA Accreditation
ISO 17025 is the primary international standard for assessing a laboratory's ability to produce precise and accurate testing and calibration data. Q-Lab’s accelerated and outdoor testing laboratories in Arizona, Germany, and Florida have earned ISO 17025 accreditation by A2LA:
ISO 17025/A2LA - Q-Lab Arizona Testing 0859-02
ISO 17025/A2LA - Q-Lab Deutschland Testing 0859-03
ISO 17025/A2LA - Q-Lab Florida Testing 0859-01
In addition, Q-Lab’s calibration laboratories in China, Germany, Ohio, and the United Kingdom also maintain ISO 17025 accreditation by A2LA:
ISO 17025/A2LA - Q-Lab China Calibration 2383-02
ISO 17025/A2LA - Q-Lab Deutschland Calibration 2383-04
FGIA and AAMA
The Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) was formed by the merger of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) and serves the glass and window industries. Q-Lab Florida is accredited to perform testing according to a number of FGIA requirements, many of which retain their AAMA designations:
AMECA
The Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency (AMECA) provides safety equipment compliance services in the United States. Q-Lab Florida and Arizona have been formally recognized by AMECA for laboratory competence: