In 2023, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) began enforcement of Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. A2LA’s Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratory Program is recognized by HIWU, and meets the requirements of their
ISO/IEC 17025 vs. ISO/IEC 17020: What Each Standard Offers Labs
There is a growing trend of forensic organizations becoming accredited. This trend is for a variety of reasons, including state requirements, a means for receiving grants, or an organization’s desire to demonstrate that the work they perform is repeatable, reliable, defensible, and performed by
Interpreting the Language of ISO/IEC 17025
When seeking accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, a logical first step would be to read the standard and perform a gap analysis identifying which areas of the standard your organization may need to develop and implement. However, despite the best efforts of its authors, the standard isn’t exactly an easy
Corrective Actions: A Breakdown
As much as we attempt to avoid nonconformities (NCs), they are bound to occur regardless of the competencies, written instructions, and preventative risk mitigation in place within an organization. Nonconformities can come from internal and external audits, complaints, feedback, or all varieties
Accreditation Case Study: Montana Department of Justice Forensic Science Division
The Montana Department of Justice’s Forensic Science Division is the only forensic laboratory in the state with facilities in Missoula and Billings. With about 40 scientists, the division serves law enforcement agencies throughout the state along with the medical examiner’s office. The laboratory
The New NIST Hemp RM: An Opportunity for the Hemp Testing Industry
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now offers a hemp reference material (RM) that will help hemp testing laboratories accurately measure core compounds in hemp and cannabis plant products. This development is a significant new opportunity for the hemp industry because hemp
Accreditation Case Study: PT Canada
Accreditation bodies, like A2LA, accredit PTPs to ISO/IEC 17043, the general requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers, to provide third-party assurance and give customers confidence in the quality of the program. PT Canada (PTC), an A2LA accredited proficiency testing
A2LA’s First President, John William Locke, Dies at 91
With great sadness, The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) shares the passing of founding member and first president, John William Locke, at the age of 91. Locke passed away on September 11, 2024, after a brief illness. John Locke served as A2LA’s first president for 10