Imagine you’re the president of a testing organization with two separate labs. Each lab has its own quality management system (QMS), is accredited by different accrediting bodies (ABs) in two different languages, and there’s a nine-hour time difference between them. Operating these labs separately,
Sexual Assault Kits Initiative: Where Are We Now?
Since 2001, April has been the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The main goals of Sexual Assault Awareness Month are to raise awareness about sexual assaults and share information about how to help prevent it through education. It is also a time for
Laboratories & Calibration Providers: Let’s Talk
To read this article in Spanish, click here. A2LA accredits various laboratories and other organizations such as reference material producers, proficiency testing providers, inspection bodies, biobanks, and product certification bodies. A2LA is the largest accreditor of calibration
World Accreditation Day 2025: Empowering SMEs
Accreditation is a formal recognition earned by a testing, calibration, or inspection organization that has proven to comply with globally accepted, international standards of quality and competence. Accreditation can sometimes be required by government or industry regulators for certain kinds of
10 Steps Toward Achieving ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation
Achieving ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is one of the best ways an organization can stand out among their competition. If you’re not already familiar, ISO/IEC 17025 is an internationally-recognized published standard that details the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
2025 FBI Quality Assurance Standards
The FBI has approved changes to the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories and Quality Assurance Standards for DNA Databasing Laboratories. These changes will take effect on July 1, 2025. Your organization can prepare by reviewing pre-issuance copies as well as the
New Accreditation Service: HEAL Requirements for ISO/IEC 17025 Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratories
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