Accreditation Process Summary
- The applicant laboratory obtains all necessary A2LA application
forms, A2LA requirements and policy documents from the web site or directly
from A2LA.
- The laboratory obtains an official copy of ISO/IEC 17025.
- The laboratory provides A2LA with faxed confirmation (see page 9
of the application) that a valid copy of ISO/IEC 17025 has been obtained.
A2LA then provides the ISO/IEC 17025 Assessor Checklist to the laboratory.
- The applicant laboratory completes and returns the application for
accreditation, all required supporting documentation, and payment.
- A2LA reviews the application documents and an appropriate assessor(s)
is assigned, with laboratory concurrence.
- The assessor contacts the laboratory to discuss the scheduling of
the on-site assessment and request the quality documentation. Once documentation
is reviewed for completeness, the assessment can be scheduled with the
assessor(s).
- The assessment or the pre-assessment is performed and includes:
entry briefing; review of quality documentation, records, sample handling;
interviews with technicians; demonstrations of tests/calibrations; examination
of equipment and calibration records; written report of assessor's findings;
and exit briefing.
- The laboratory responds to any deficiencies with a written corrective
action response.
- The corrective action is reviewed by the A2LA staff and once complete,
is forwarded to the Accreditation Council for a vote.
- Accreditation is granted when affirmative votes are received, all
concerns are resolved, and all fees are paid in full.
