A2LA

A Better World Through Accreditation

Home » News » A2LA Today March 2018 Newsletter

by

In This Issue…

► 2018 Marks A2LA’s 40th Anniversary in the Laboratory Accreditation Industry

By Kelsey Roberts, A2LA Marketing Manager

A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) is proud to announce that 2018 marks its 40th year as an association assessing and accrediting conformity assessment bodies (CABs). Originally known as AALA, but changed to A2LA in 1987, A2LA was established in July 1978, following overwhelming demand in the market for a multi-discipline, private sector accreditation system in the United States. Since its creation, A2LA has established itself as the largest multi-discipline accreditation organization in the United States and one of the largest in the world. A2LA’s brand is known worldwide for quality and customer service in the conformity assessment arena.

Efforts to coordinate accreditation began in earnest in 1970.  Laboratories were being forced into assessment by more and more accreditation systems – some claimed they were accredited or assessed by over 100 organizations per year. It was very difficult to design a management system in a laboratory that met these different requirements, some of which were conflicting.  

 “Although I have only been serving as A2LA CEO for a little over a year, I have been aware of A2LA and involved with them as an executive manager of A2LA-accredited laboratories for close to 20 years. As we reflect on the past 40 years of business, I can confidently say the continued success of our business is due to our exceptional staff and assessors,” said Lonnie Spires, A2LA President and CEO.

A2LA will celebrate its 40th anniversary with events throughout the year, corresponding with various industry tradeshows and conferences. Visit www.A2LA.org/events for more details on events sponsored or organized by A2LA.
 

► Highlights from the 2018 A2LA Technical Forum & Annual Meeting

By Kelsey Roberts, A2LA Marketing Manager

A2LA held its annual Technical Forum Friday, March 16th through Sunday, March 18th in Reston, VA.  

The Forum attracted over 400 attendees this year.  The event was once again open to the public, as well as our contracted assessors, staff, accredited organizations, and other stakeholders.  We saw many new faces this year and hope to continue to welcome new attendees in the years to come.  We would like to take a final moment to recognize the sponsors and exhibitors who helped make this a great event:

During the three days of the Forum, our technical advisory committees met to discuss matters and issues affecting each of the specific program areas for which A2LA accredits organizations.  Additionally, we introduced longer two- and four-hour sessions to go more in depth on technical topics, as well as shorter sessions on accreditation-related topics, leadership and standards news.  

The annual A2LA Awards Dinner was held on Saturday evening.  Service milestones were acknowledged for assessors, Accreditation Council members, and Criteria Council members.  The 2018 Assessor of the Year award was presented to A2LA Assessor, Ms. Lorena Villarreal, in appreciation of her generous devotion of time in support of the Association in her role as an A2LA advocate with both domestic and foreign laboratories and inspection bodies. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorena Villarreal and Trace McInturff, A2LA Senior Director, Accreditation Services

Jim Hostetler was honored with the John W. Locke Award, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and commitment to A2LA and to the advancement of accreditation.  Jim has been A2LA’s legal counsel since its inception and it was quite fitting to honor him during our 40th anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left to right; John Locke, past A2LA President, Jim Hostetler, A2LA Legal Counsel and Lonnie Spires, A2LA President/CEO

In 2019, the Technical Forum will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, VA.  The dates of the event are from Friday, March 29th through Sunday, March 31st. More information on the 2019 Technical Forum and Annual Meeting is available on our website: www.A2LA.org/Tech-Forum.

We will be taking sponsors again in 2019 as well as offering opportunities to exhibit.  Exhibit space is limited.  Please visit contact us for more details. 

► A2LA Reapproved by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as an Accreditation Organization Under the CLIA 88

By Randy Querry, A2LA Accreditation Manager

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a notice in the Federal Register on March 23, 2018 announcing the approval of the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, (A2LA) as an accreditation organization for clinical laboratories under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) program for all specialty and subspecialty areas under CLIA. This followed a rigorous re-evaluation of A2LA’s documented procedures, and a thorough on-site review of records and operational practices by the CMS team. The recognition is for a period of four years, March 23, 2018 through March 23, 2022.  A2LA initially was granted deemed status from CMS in 2014.

A world renown leader in accreditation, maintaining this pinnacle achievement places A2LA as the only accreditation body in the world holding the highest level of formal clinical laboratory accreditation recognitions: CMS CLIA Deemed Status and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Recognition. “These formal recognitions are an external validation of A2LA’s determination and commitment to improving laboratory quality and patient care; raising the bar on clinical accreditation here in the US and globally” states Lonnie Spires, A2LA CEO.   

► A2LA Accredits First Cannabis Testing Laboratory in Pennsylvania

By Michelle Bradac, A2LA Senior Accreditation Officer

A2LA is proud to announce the accreditation of the first cannabis testing laboratory to ISO/IEC 17025 in the state of Pennsylvania. Keystone State Testing, located in Harrisburg, PA, finalized the accreditation process on February 21, 2018. The laboratory has also been assessed to ISO/IEC 17025 – General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories and A2LA R243 – Specific Requirements – Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program.  R243 was published in collaboration with ASA (Americans for Safe Access) and is derived from the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)’s Recommendations for Regulators – Cannabis Laboratory Operations. Keystone State Testing is currently able to perform the tests required by the state of PA on cannabis flower and plant material.  

The A2LA Cannabis Accreditation Program establishes a standard of quality for the testing of cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including hemp, oils, and hash concentrates. Currently, a significant number of states where cannabis has been legalized for recreational and/or medical use, specify or encourage laboratory accreditation to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Because each state’s specific requirements for cannabis testing vary, A2LA is focused on working with state regulators to establish consistent regulatory requirements, and to offer accreditation to any specific state requirements, if necessary. These efforts ensure that A2LA accreditation offers the highest level of recognition and provides the most value to the laboratory and to users of these products.

“Keystone State Testing is proud to be the first Pennsylvania laboratory to earn A2LA ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation as well as ASA’s Patient Focused Certification,” stated Dr. Kelly Greenland, Keystone State Testing’s owner/operator. “We regard these accreditations and certifications as the first steps in ensuring patient safety and will continue to do everything within our power to ensure medical marijuana patient safety.”

A2LA General Manager, Adam Gouker stated that ““A2LA is pleased to see the growing adoption of the combined assessment to include the ASA requirements.  Our staff has worked tirelessly in conjunction with ASA staff to create this combined program and offer something that no other accreditation body in the world has the ability to offer.  We congratulate Keystone State Testing Labs on leading the charge in the state of Pennsylvania and laying the groundwork for future laboratories to follow.”

A2LA is currently accepting new applications for accreditation from testing laboratories under the A2LA Cannabis Testing Program to both ISO/IEC 17025 or combined ISO/IEC 17025 and R243 – Cannabis Specific Testing Requirements. In addition, laboratories that currently hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation with A2LA and that are in states where medical or recreational cannabis has been legalized, may expand their existing Scope of Accreditation to include tests in this area. More information regarding the A2LA Cannabis Accreditation Program may be found at www.A2LA.org/Cannabis.

► A2LA Training Updates – March 2018

By Mike Buzard, A2LA Training Development Manager 

In November 2017, CASCO, ISO committee on conformity assessment, introduced A2LA and its clients (and the rest of the accreditation industry) to the long-awaited revisions to the ISO/IEC 17205 standard. The 2017 version of this international standard presents the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories around the world, and came with numerous philosophical as well as technical requirement changes, while retaining much of the previous 2005 version’s controls in place and unchanged.

The training department at A2LA was primed and ready for the release of the standard, with two Senior Directors, as well as one veteran assessor, involved in the CASCO working group responsible for the revisions to the standard. A2LA’s public training offerings for the revised ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard kicked off with small public courses in Newark (NJ), Frederick (MD), Livonia (MI), Boulder (CO), and Chicago (IL), along with numerous events at client facilities where our instructors were welcomed for more close-working training events with laboratory personnel in one-on-one settings in California, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Washington, and Florida … We even had the opportunity to serve our international partners in Nigeria on their requests for training for the new standard (as well as getting our instructor introduced to the local wildlife on their down time)!

As the 2017 calendar year wound to a close, A2LA instructors tallied thousands of air miles and hundreds of hours away from home, serving over 350 adult learners in more than 20 events for the 2017 version of the standard alone.
The first quarter of the new year has also been rolling strong for A2LA training, with the best January course offerings and attendance in our history alongside dozens of requests for contract-based training at client facilities. At the time of this writing, January and February totals showed 14 combined public/private events for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard alone (with 37 total courses performed among all training offerings), and attendee totals numbering in the hundreds for the first two months of the year.

Our instructors are already filling their calendars with public and private course commitments into April and May, and our public calendar is updated monthly with registrations as new venues are put under contract. Keep an eye on the events calendar www.a2la.org/events, or if you’ve had an eye on a specific course and location, as we are constantly opening new course registrations for the year. If you’d prefer the more intimate option of having our instructor perform the training course at your facilities, please reach out to our training department via email at training@A2LA.org – we would be more than happy to come to you!

The 2017 calendar year may have been one of the best years, if not the best year, our training program has seen, and it is all thanks to our family of clients who recognize A2LA’s Training Program for its excellence. It is our sincere hope that we can continue our service and growth for our client base to serve your needs in 2018 and beyond. We look forward to seeing you at one of our public courses this year, or even coming out to visit you at your facilities if you would prefer a more private event with an instructor.

HIGHLIGHTED 2nd QUARTER PUBLIC EVENTS:

► Nevada Requires Accreditation of Cannabis Testing Laboratories

By Karin Athanas, A2LA Business Development Manager

On February 20, 2018, the Nevada Department of Taxation issued its final rule establishing regulations relating to the adult use of marijuana – LCB File No. R092-17.

Included in the new regulations is a requirement that laboratories be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an impartial organization that operates in conformance with standard ISO/IEC 17011 and is a signatory to the ILAC MRA.

Also included is a requirement for the laboratory to follow:

  • The most current version of the Cannabis Inflorescence: Standards of Identity, Analysis, and Quality Control published by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia;
  • The Recommendations for Regulators – Cannabis Operations published by the American Herbal Products Association; and,
  • The Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food, Dietary Supplements, and Pharmaceuticals – An Aid to the Interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (2015) published by the AOAC International.

A2LA is a provider of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 and ILAC MRA signatory and is an active participant in the cannabis industry offering training, education, and accreditation. Like the requirements established for cannabis that stipulate compliance to AOAC guidelines, A2LA’s food testing accreditation program incorporates adherence to AOAC requirements and A2LA is the main provider of accreditation in this field. A2LA currently accredits many laboratories in Colorado, California, Pennsylvania, and Washington with many more in the application process.

In addition, A2LA customers have the option of requesting accreditation to A2LA’s Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program (A2LA document R243). This program exclusively offered by A2LA includes assessment to ISO/IEC 17025 and the ASA PFC Laboratory Operations requirements which are constructed in accordance with the Recommendations for Regulators – Cannabis Operations published by the American Herbal Products Association.

The final rule also establishes a requirement that laboratories use proficiency testing providers accredited to ISO/IEC 17043 by an accreditation body that meets ISO/IEC 17011.  A2LA is a long-standing provider of ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation to proficiency testing providers and is compliant with ISO/IEC 17011. Information on the A2LA PTP accreditation program can be found at: www.a2la.org/accreditation/proficiency-testing
Contact Us for more information about the A2LA Cannabis Testing Program.

► New & Updated Documents

By Pam Wright, A2LA Quality Manager

We are excited about the release of the 2017 version of ISO/IEC 17025, however, it has resulted in several revised documents this quarter; the following documents have been updated within the controlled A2LA management system. These documents are available on the A2LA website (www.A2LA.org) through the “Search” tool or on your customized portal (as appropriate) unless otherwise indicated.

Please Note: Documents that are only found in the Customer Portal will no longer be updated in the Legacy CAB Portal. Current versions of public documents will still be supported on the A2LA website.
If you have any questions about these updates, please contact A2LA at 301.644.3248 or your Accreditation Officer.

Checklists:

C025 – Checklist:  ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Laboratory Accreditation Program is a new checklist dated 12/19/17.

C103 – General Checklist – ISO-IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation of Field Testing and Field Calibration Laboratories is a new document dated 3/5/18.

C211 – Specific Checklist – Combined ISO-IEC 17025-2005 and Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised checklist dated 1/30/18. Editorial for the addition of 2005 in the title.

C211 – Specific Checklist – Combined ISO-IEC 17025-2017 and Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program is a new document dated 1/30/18. Editorial for the 2017 version of ISO/IEC 17025.

C213 – Specific Checklist: Information Technology Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 03/05/18. Editorial for the addition of section 2 to align the existing requirements to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

C216 – Specific Checklist:  FCC Technical Assessment Evaluation is a revised checklist dated 3/6/18. Editorial for:

  • Removed “contained in 47 CFR Parts 2, 15, and 18” from Instructions to Assessor
  • Removed Questions 1, 2, and 4
  • Added Questions 9, 10, 11, 12, 19
  • Updates References to “ANSI C63.4” with “ANSI C63.4-2014”
  • Updated KDB Reference in Questions 41 from 823311

C310 – Specific Checklist: 17065 – FCC Telecommunications Certification Body Evaluation is a revised document dated 3/6/18. Editorial for:

  • Added Questions 3, 64, and 66.
  • Updated All References to “Verification” and/or “Declaration of Conformity” to “Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity”.
  • Revised Question 17 “grantee notes” to “grant comments and conditions”.
  • Removed Note in Questions 24, 29.
  • Removed Question 4, references to KDB 848637 and 644545, and added 789033.
  • Deleted Question 57.
  • Revised Question 58 Subparts “A to L” to “A to K” and removed “Dedicated Short Range Communications Service Onboard Units”.

Forms:

F210 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Environmental Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F210a – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Kentucky Underground Storage Tank Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F213 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Environmental Lead Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 2/22/18. Editorial for header update and addition of an introduction.

F346 – ISO/IEC 17065 Product Certification Bodies Supplemental Information Form is a new document dated 2/21/18.

F117 – Technical Staff Matrix for Accreditation – ISO/IEC 17025 is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for header revision only.

F208 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Construction Materials Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for header update and Removed 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025.

F209 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Electrical Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for logo update and removal the reference to 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025.

F204 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List: Calibration Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for an update to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and to current formatting requirements.  

F205 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Chemistry Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for an update to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and to current formatting requirements.  

F211 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List – Geotechnical Engineering Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F212 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List – Thermal Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for addition of a header and change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F213 Scope of Accreditation Selection List – Environmental Lead Testing Laboratory is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for addition of a header and change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F214 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List: Mechanical Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated obsolete reference to dimensional requirements in A2LA documentation.
  • CMC column removed from Dimensional table which does not serve as a link in the traceability chain per G118.
  • Updated scope to remove reference to ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

F215 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Nondestructive Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for header and change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F219 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:  Putting Green Materials/Geotechnical Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for header and change of the reference from 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 to 2017.

F226 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List: Forensic Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for a revision to table A to reflect the current scope format.

F229 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List: Sustainable Energy Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Removal of revision dates for ISO/IEC standards during alignment to new ISO/IEC 17011 processes.
  • Changed Header.

F235 – Application for Assessment to the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Testing and Databasing Facilities is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated Part V, Section B to reference A2LA’s online estimate request system.
  • Removed error message from Part IV regarding DNA QAS Appendix C and page 7.

F303 – Ownership Confirmation: TNI PT/SSAS Provider Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for header change.

F321 – ISO 17034 Reference Material Producer Process Matrix is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial changes for:

  • Updated form to include essential personnel record.
  • Updated form to include objective evidence for reports reviewed during assessment.

F323 – Application for Accreditation: TNI Proficiency Testing Provider/Stationary Source Audit Provider Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for the removal of a reference to F119 and update to the header.

F325 – Scope of Accreditation Selection List:Forensic Inspection Bodies is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated Header and Font
  • Removed highlights throughout document.
  • Revised Table A to reflect the current scope format.
  • Revised first footnote for example draft scope to reflect current requirements document (R318 – Specific Requirements – Forensic Examination Accreditation Program-Inspection).

Guidance

G122 – Guidance on Method Modifications for Life Sciences Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 12/20/17. Editorial for:

  • Updated references to 17025 to address both the 2005 and 2017 versions.

Requirements:

P102 – A2LA Policy on Metrological Traceability is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated Guide 34 to ISO 17034.
  • Added new year to ISO Guide 31 or updated to 17034 when referring to requirements for reference material certificates.
  • Fixed broken link to ILAC P14.
  • Updated references to ISO 17025:2017.

P103 – Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Testing Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updating references to 2017 version of ISO/IEC 17025.

P103a – Annex: Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Automotive & Materials Testing Labs is a revised document dated 12/19/17. Editorial:

  • Added references to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 section 7.6.3, note 1.
  • Clarified section 5.4.6.2 note 2 is from the 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025.

P103b – Annex-Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Life Sciences Testing Labs is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updated refences to 2017 ISO/IEC 17025 version.

P103d – Annex-Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Construction Materials & Geotechnical Testing Labs. Editorial for removal of 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025 and added sections from ISO/IEC 17025:2017 where appropriate.

P103e – Annex: Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Forensic Conformity Assessment Bodies is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated Header, Font, and Copyright date.
  • Reference to ISO/IEC 17025 clause 5.4.6.2 (2005 version) was updated to include the 2017 version (clause 7.6.3).
  • Reference to P102 and applicable cross-referenced annex P102a-d was replaced with P103 and applicable cross-referenced annex P103a-e.

P105 – Policy on Organization Relocation is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial: This is a complete re-write of the document to match current processes.

P107 – Policy on Transferring Accreditation is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for removal of references to hard copy applications.

P108 – Technical Consensus Decisions from the Materials Testing Advisory Committee (MTAC) is a revised document dated 1/11/18. Editorial changes for clarification of section headers, updated document to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and removed the requirement language.

P111 – Technical Consensus Decisions from the Electromagnetic Advisory Committee (EMAC) is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Non-Editorial: Numerous changes pursuant to the 2017 EMAC Meeting and editorial changes for revision to ISO/IEC 17025.

P112 – Flexible Scope Policy is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updated references to 2017 version of ISO/IEC 17025.

P113a – A2LA Policy on Reference Material Traceability for Life Sciences Testing Laboratories (formerly P102a) is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Number change.
  • Updated header.
  • Updated references to reference material, reference method and certified reference material.

R101 – ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Transition Memorandum is a new document dated 11/30/17.

R101 – General Requirements: Accreditation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Laboratories is a revised document dated 12/11/17. Editorial changes only.

R102 – Conditions for Accreditation is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for the updated reference for Guide 34.

R103 – General Requirements:  Proficiency Testing for ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for: added information to PT10 to clarify that ILCs do not need to be submitted to A2LA for review.

R103a – Annex- Proficiency Testing for ISO-IEC 17025 Laboratories is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Added NIR under Chemical sub-disciplines.
  • Corrected AOAC revision date.
  • Updated references to TNI.
  • Addition of references to the new 17025:2017.

R104 – General Requirements – ISO-IEC 17025-2017 Accreditation of Field Testing and Field Calibration Laboratories is a new document dated 3/5/18.

R205 – Specific Requirements:  Calibration Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updates to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

R208 – Specific Requirements:  Construction Materials Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for removal of 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025 and the addition of section 7.2.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 where appropriate.

R209 – Specific Requirements:  Harris County/City of Houston/Port Authority Geotechnical Engineering Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program for Identified Houston and Harris County, Texas Jurisdictions is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for: removal of 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025 and the addition of section 7.2.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 where appropriate.

R212 – Specific Requirements:  Nondestructive Testing and Inspections is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for removal of 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025.

R213 – Specific Requirements: Putting Green Materials Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for removal of 2005 from ISO/IEC 17025 and the addition of section 7.2.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 where appropriate.

R214 Specific Requirements: Information Technology Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for: added Appendix A to align the existing requirements to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

R216 – Specific Requirements:  Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 1/8/18. Editorial changes include:

  • Updated NALHN acceptance criteria.
  • Removed the year of publication from ISO/IEC 17025 references.
  • Updated references to 17025 to address both the 2005 and 2017 versions.

R217 – World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updates to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

R219 – Specific Requirements – TNI Field Sampling and Measurement Organization Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updates to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

R221 – Specific Requirements: Forensic Examination Accreditation Program – Testing is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Removed “2005” from ISO/IEC 17025.
  • Replaced old hyperlink to A2LA forensic webpage with current link.
  • Added reference to P103e – Annex-Policy on Estimating Measurement Uncertainty for Forensic Conformity Assessment Bodies.

R221a – Annex A: Specific Requirements for Forensic Facilities Licensed in Maryland is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updated Header, Font, and Copyright date.
  • References to C223a changed to reflect title change (C221a).

R223 – Specific Requirements – GE Aviation S400 Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for updates to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

R303 – General Requirements:  TNI Proficiency Testing and SSAS Provider Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 11/15/17. Editorial changes only.

R304 – General Requirements:  ISO 17034 Reference Material Producer Accreditation Program is a revised document dated 3/5/18. Editorial for:

  • Updates to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
  • Referenced that voluntary withdraw renewal organizations will be posted on the A2LA website.
  • Renamed Withdraw section to “Enforced Withdrawal”.

Informational & Instructional Documents:

I106 – Available Proficiency Testing Programs is a revised document dated 2/8/18. Editorial for the update of a link for Deutsches Referenzbüro für Ringversuche und Referenzmaterialien GmbH.
I102 – Instructions for Responding to the Assessor Deficiency Report has been made obsolete as of 2/23/18.

► New A2LA Staff Members

By Lauren Bisson, A2LA HR Generalist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From left to right, front row; Dyana Cernicky, Bibi Abdullah, Carrie Whitaker and Carlyn Brecht. Back row; Cory Arant, Amber Ryan and Zach Keyser.

Since the beginning of 2018, A2LA welcomed several new staff members to our growing team including:

1.    Zach Keyser joined A2LA in January 2018, as an Accreditation Officer on the Product Certification and Electrical team. Zach graduated from Hood College where he received his B.A. in History and a certification in Secondary Education. Upon graduating, Zach worked at Custom Laboratory Services, Rockville as a Laboratory Technician and most recently held the position of Chief Technical Officer and Laboratory Director.

2.    Dyana Cernicky joined A2LA on the Product Certification and Electrical Team in January of this year. She received her B.S. in Materials Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, as well as her MBA in Production Management from University of Colorado. Dyana has applied her education to a variety of quality and testing related positions throughout her career, including her time spent at SCI Systems Inc. as a Quality Engineer and DFC Ceramics Inc. as a Development Engineer.

3.    Cory Arant joined A2LA in January of this year as an Accreditation Officer on the Life Sciences team. Cory received his B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland. Cory worked as a Patient Service Specialist at ATI Physical Therapy. He also spent several years working as a Personal Trainer for Gold’s Gym. Prior to these experiences, Cory served as a U.S. Marine for several years. We thank Cory for his service.

4.    Carrie Whitaker began employment with A2LA in January 2018 as an Accreditation Officer on the Clinical & Forensic Team. Before joining the A2LA team, Carrie spent several years working as an Infection Control Officer with Federal Occupational Health (FOH). Ms. Whitaker received her B.S. in Environmental Science, as well as her B.S in Business Administration from Shepard University, WV.

5.    Carlyn Brecht came onboard with A2LA in February, as an Accreditation Officer on the Clinical and Forensics Team. Carlyn joins A2LA as a graduate from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she received her B.S. in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics.

6.    Amber Ryan joined A2LA this March as an Accreditation Officer on the Calibration team. , Amber spent several years working in the pharmaceutical industry, including positions held at Johns Hopkins Children’s Pediatric Pharmacy and most recently at AlixaRx, as a certified Pharmacy Technician. Amber holds a B.S. in Human Resources and also dedicated several years of her career as a Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) Operator in the Marine Corps. We thank Amber for her service.

7.    Bibi Abdullah also joined A2LA in March of this year as an Accreditation Officer on the Product Certification and Electrical Team. Bibi holds a B.S. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from the University of Maryland. She has several years of research and laboratory experience throughout her undergrad career and has been working as a chemistry and math tutor for students preparing to take their SATs.

We are excited to have Zach, Dyana, Cory, Carrie, Carlyn, Amber and Bibi on our team! They all bring with them unique experiences that A2LA values and appreciates and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for them at A2LA!

With the latest additions of our new staff, A2LA currently has 67 talented individuals that make up our team! If you or someone you know is looking for a change in career, please visit our career page at www.A2LA.org/careers to learn more about our available positions.