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
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
Common Calibration Certificate Findings
When working with clients that need accredited calibration services, ISO/IEC 17025 instructs laboratories on what is required for accredited calibration certificates in many sections, including 7.8.2.1, 7.8.4.1, and 7.8.6. These requirements are strengthened further by A2LA’s normative requirements
Explaining ISO/IEC 17025 Competency Requirements
Accreditation proves an organization’s ability to perform work competently, which is why ISO/IEC 17025 places a heavy emphasis on personnel competency within section 6.2. This section of the standard contains several requirements—mainly covered in clauses 6.2.2 and 6.2.5—and it is one of the top ten
The 5 Whys: Finding Causes of Nonconformities
When a nonconformity occurs within a system, process, or product, the initial reaction individuals often have is to immediately correct the issue at hand. Although it is critical to ensure the nonconformity is addressed in an appropriate manner, it is also important to identify the potential causes