• 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 Laboratory Accreditation?

Home » Uncategorized » What is Laboratory Accreditation?

February 3, 2023 by A2LA

A2LA is one of the largest laboratory accreditation bodies in the world; but what is laboratory accreditation and why does it matter?

Laboratory accreditation is a formal recognition earned by organizations proving they are qualified, competent, and comply with international standards. Laboratories of all kinds can become accredited, including calibration laboratories, cannabis testing laboratories, environmental testing laboratories, and much more. In the accreditation world, each of these organizations is referred to as a conformity assessment body, or a CAB.

As an accreditation body (AB), A2LA works closely with CABs all over the world to assess their laboratory procedures to determine whether they meet the criteria of international standards. Most often, labs are assessed to one or more standards set forth by the International Organization for Standardization, also referred to as ISO.

The International Organization of Standardization is “an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 167 national standards bodies. Through its members, it brings together experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market relevant International Standards that support innovation and provide solutions to global challenges.”

Each standard ISO develops is identified by a number and the year it was published or last updated. For example, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is a standard that details the requirements for testing and calibration laboratories, and the most recent version was published in 2017. Experts from around the world develop these standards for organizations to follow and become accredited to. Standards cover a wide range of laboratory activities, from the qualifications of personnel and the calibration of equipment to the documentation of procedures and test methods.

To become accredited to a standard, accreditation bodies, such as A2LA, assess laboratories to ensure all the requirements of the standard are met. If non-conformities are found, the lab has an opportunity to correct them. Once all non-conformities have been corrected, the CAB can finally attain laboratory accreditation for a specific standard.

Why is Laboratory Accreditation Important?

Laboratory accreditation serves many purposes. First and foremost, it shows that an organization and its personnel are qualified and competent. It also inspires confidence in test results and assures customers of a product or service’s quality, strengthening an organization’s credibility. For example, accredited cannabis testing labs test product for potentially harmful substances like pesticides, heavy metals, and mycotoxins. Because the lab is accredited, the end user will be confident that the product is safe and high quality.

Another reason accreditation is so important is that it allows organizations from all over the world to more easily sell their products and services in other countries. International standards equate to international acceptance of test data. Organizations will not spend time and money on inspections and approvals in each country in which they sell. With global standards, products and services are justly accepted all over the world, regardless of industry or country of origin.

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.

Uncategorized

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