Many conformity assessment bodies (CABs) maintain accreditation with multiple accrediting bodies (ABs) for a variety of reasons. Some organizations value the opportunity to receive multiple perspectives from different assessments, while others prefer more frequent evaluations of their quality management system. In other cases, CABs pursue dual accreditation because one AB offers programs in fields of accreditation that another does not, but they want or need to be accredited to both
As industry needs continue to evolve, A2LA expands alongside them by developing new accreditation programs to meet emerging demands. Two of A2LA’s newest programs include Industrial Hygiene and Environmental Microbiology. In addition, A2LA’s Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program has been accepted and recognized by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for laboratory mold testing.
If your organization maintains multiple accreditations with various accreditation bodies because A2LA previously did not offer one of your required fields of accreditation, that may no longer be the case. In addition, if there is an accreditation program your organization needs that A2LA does not yet offer, speak with your accreditation officer to let us know.
Simple Transfer Process
As A2LA continues to expand its portfolio of accreditation programs, we have also developed a straightforward and transparent process for transferring existing accreditations.
Consolidating your accreditations under a single AB offers several advantages. Beyond providing your laboratory with one organization dedicated to evaluating your entire quality management system, a single AB delivers more consistent and comprehensive feedback across all accredited activities. This unified approach allows assessors to evaluate your management system holistically rather than through multiple independent assessments.
Consolidation can also reduce the overall cost of accreditation. Even when different ABs assess separate technical scopes, each assessment still requires a review of your quality management system. As a result, laboratories often experience unnecessary overlaps and redundancy between assessments. By working with a single AB, laboratories can reduce duplicate quality system reviews, minimize assessor travel expenses, and decrease the staff time required to prepare for and support multiple assessments.
A2LA recognizes accreditations issued by accrediting bodies that are signatories to the overarching Global Accreditation Cooperation Incorporated (Global ACI) Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA). As such, transferring your accreditation to A2LA is designed to be a simple process.
To initiate a transfer, applicants need only submit:
- The most recent full onsite assessment report and associated assessment documentation
- A complete corrective action response, including objective evidence demonstrating implementation for all findings from the most recent assessment (including opportunities for improvement and comments), issued by a Global ACI signatory accreditation body for the applicable scope
- A copy of the current, valid Scope of Accreditation issued by the CAB’s existing accrediting body
Following review and approval by the appropriate A2LA Accreditation Council, your organization will become accredited by A2LA. In most cases, your next onsite assessment will be scheduled according to the normal accreditation cycle, using your previous full assessment as the baseline, just as though it had been performed by A2LA. This means that, for most transfers, no additional onsite assessment is required solely because of the change in accrediting body.
If your organization currently maintains accreditation with multiple accrediting bodies, consider consolidating your accreditations with A2LA. Doing so can reduce redundant quality management system reviews, lower assessment-related costs, simplify assessment preparation, and may provide discounts for organizations holding multiple A2LA accreditation certificates.
For more information on A2LA’s accreditation transfer process, contact our Customer Care team at 301.644.3248 or email us at info@A2LA.org. To get started on the path toward accreditation, request a free quote today: A2LA.org/estimate-request/