• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • A2LA Annual Conference
  • Apply
  • Blog
  • Accreditation Estimate Request Form
  • Portal
  • Search Organizations
a2la logo

A2LA

A Better World Through Accreditation

  • Accreditation
    • ISO/IEC 17025 – Testing/Calibration Laboratories
      • Acoustics and Vibration Testing
      • Biological Testing Program
        • Cannabis Testing
        • Food And Pharmaceutical Accreditation
        • Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Basic Safety And Essential Performance)
        • Threat Agent Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Biocompatibility Testing Of Medical Devices)
      • Calibration
      • Chemical Testing
        • Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • Food And Pharmaceutical Accreditation
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • Cannabis Testing
        • WADA Testing Accreditation
        • Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act Accreditation Program
        • Threat Agent Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
      • Construction Material Testing Accreditation
        • Harris County, TX/City Of Houston/Houston Port Authority
      • Electrical Testing Accreditation
        • The A2LA U.S. Federal Communications Commission Equipment Authorization Program
        • CTIA Wireless Association – LTE/CDMA Devices
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • Bluetooth Testing Program
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Accreditation Program
        • NAVAIR
        • Automotive EMC Laboratory Recognition Program (AEMCLRP)
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
        • The A2LA Project 25 (P25) Compliance Assessment Program
        • FDA ASCA Pilot Program (Basic Safety And Essential Performance)
        • ISED Equipment Authorization Program
      • Environmental Testing Accreditation
        • The A2LA CA ELAP Laboratory Assessment Program
        • EPA National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP)
        • Kentucky Underground Storage Tank (UST) Testing Program
        • DOECAP Audit Program Accreditation
        • DOD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
        • TNI Field Sampling & Measurement Organization (FSMO) Accreditation Program
        • Air Emission Testing Body Assessment Program (AETBs)
        • DOD Advanced Geophysical Classification Accreditation Program (DAGCAP)
        • Wyoming Storage Tank Remediation (STR) Program
        • State Environmental Laboratory Assessment Program – NELAP
      • Forensic Examination Accreditation Program
      • Geotechnical Accreditation Program
        • Harris County, TX/City Of Houston/Houston Port Authority
        • Putting Green Laboratory Accreditation Program (PUG)
      • Information Technology
        • Gaming Standards Association (GSA)
        • Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
      • Mechanical Testing Accreditation
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Accreditation Program
        • Business & Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association Compliant Program
        • Counterfeit Part Avoidance Testing
      • Nondestructive Testing Program – NDT
      • Sampling & Testing Accreditation
      • Sustainable Energy Testing
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Accreditation Program
      • Thermal
        • A2LA Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Accreditation Program
    • ISO/IEC 17020 – Inspection Bodies
      • ISO/IEC 17020 – Inspection Body Accreditation Program
        • Forensic Examination Accreditation Program
        • Special Inspections Accreditation Program
        • Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program
        • FedRAMP Third Party Assessment Organizations (3PAO)
        • Field Evaluation Body (FEB) Accreditation Program
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
    • ISO/IEC 17065 – Product Certification Bodies
      • ISO/IEC 17065 Product Compliance Certification Accreditations
        • The A2LA Telecommunication Certification Body Program
        • EPA WaterSense Program
        • EPA ENERGY STAR Accreditation Program
        • Notified Body Accreditation Program
    • ISO/IEC 17043 – Proficiency Testing Providers
      • The A2LA Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditation Program
    • ISO 17034 – Reference Materials Producers
      • ISO 17034 – Reference Materials Producers Accreditation Program
    • ISO 15189 and CLIA – Clinical Testing Laboratories
      • ISO 15189 & CLIA – Clinical Testing Laboratories Accreditation Program
    • ISO 20387 – Biobanking Accreditation Program
      • ISO 20387 – Biobanking Accreditation Program
  • About
    • Overview
    • Board of Directors
    • Careers
    • Leadership
    • Recognitions
    • Regulators and Specifiers
  • Resources
    • Acronym Glossary
    • Annual Reports
    • Documents
    • Downloadable Content
    • FAQs
    • Press Releases
    • Training By A2LA WPT
  • Our Membership Options
  • Get a Quote
  • Online Payment

What is a Laboratory Accreditation Body?

Home » ISO/IEC 17011 » What is a Laboratory Accreditation Body?

February 15, 2023 by Wallis Shamieh

In our latest blog, we explained what laboratory accreditation is and why it’s so important. This formal recognition is earned by organizations to prove they are qualified, competent, and comply with international standards. It also inspires confidence in test results and assures customers of a product or service’s quality, strengthening an organization’s credibility. If you want to learn more about laboratory accreditation, visit our last blog here.

Next, we’re going to look at the accreditation bodies (ABs) that assess and accredit CABs.

It’s up to the accreditation body to properly assess laboratories of all kinds. A2LA accredits laboratories as well as other organizations, including inspection bodies and product certification bodies. As one of the largest accreditation bodies in the world, A2LA currently has over 4,000 actively accredited certificates in all 50 U.S. states and more than 50 countries all around the world.

For an AB to accredit organizations, they must first achieve signatory status. This means that an AB has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with one or more of the international recognition arrangements. For example, A2LA is a signatory to the following: International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and Asia Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC). Each of these organizations recognize the same globally-accepted criteria, and they determine which organizations can provide accreditation.

Global, Federal, State, and Local Recognitions

Every AB must meet and be recognized to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011, the standard for any organization acting as an accreditation body. According to ISO, the standard “specifies requirements for the competence, consistent operation and impartiality of accreditation bodies assessing and accrediting conformity assessment bodies.” ABs are recognized to ISO/IEC 17011 through the international recognition arrangements. For example, A2LA is evaluated against ISO/IEC 17011 by APAC members from other accreditation bodies, and vice versa. This peer review system ensures consistency and impartiality among accreditation bodies. While there are differences between ABs, including certain processes and approaches to customer care, they assess laboratories to the same standards set forth by international standards organizations.

Accreditation bodies can also achieve recognition from local, state, and federal organizations, as well as other industry partners. For example, A2LA is recognized by a number of other government agencies and private organizations including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Military, Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and many others. For the full list of domestic recognitions, click here.

Whether an AB is assessing a cannabis testing laboratory in the United States, a biological testing facility in Canada, or a chemical testing laboratory in Saudi Arabia, they are assessed to the same globally-accepted standards.

Want to learn more about laboratory accreditation and how it can improve your organization? Visit the FAQ page, or reach out to us at info@A2LA.org.

ISO/IEC 17011,  Lead Gen accreditation,  accreditation body,  laboratory,  laboratory accreditation,  laboratory accreditation body

Footer

Headquarters 5202 Presidents Court, Ste 220 Frederick, MD 21703
301.644.3248
info@A2LA.org
Social Icon
Social Icon
Social Icon
Social Icon
  • Careers
  • Contact A2LA
  • Lodging a Complaint
  • Get Involved
  • Privacy Agreement
  • Online Payment
  • A2LA Annual Conference
  • Apply
  • Blog
  • Accreditation Estimate Request Form
  • Portal
  • Search Organizations

© 2023 A2LA · Powered by Orases Custom Software · Website Privacy Policy & Terms of Use