The National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA)
Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)

On September 29, 2001, A2LA became one of the first three U.S. accreditation bodies recognized by The National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA).

The basis for NACLA recognition is a three-step process: Careful review of the accreditation body's documents and procedures; a thorough on-site evaluation by a team of NACLA experts to determine the accreditation body's compliance with NACLA procedures and the international standard for accreditation bodies (ISO/IEC 58); and review of the evaluation team's report and recommendation by a NACLA Acceptance Panel.

NACLA signatory accreditation bodies must commit to the following:

• To use equivalent procedures in the accreditation of laboratories under ISO/IEC Guides 58 and 25 (17025);
• To recognize the test reports and calibration certificates issued by testing and calibration laboratories accredited by other signatory bodies as being technically equivalent;
• To promote the acceptance by all users of test reports and calibration certificates issued by their accredited testing and calibration laboratories;
• To investigate all complaints resulting from test reports and calibration certificates issued by their accredited testing and calibration laboratories;
• To inform the other signatories as soon as possible, through the NACLA Secretariat, of any significant changes that have occurred or will occur in the status and/or operational practices of their accreditation body.

As of June 30, 2002, the NACLA signatories include:

A2LA (USA)
NVLAP (USA)
ICBO ES (USA)

A2LA staff is able to provide specific details regarding the names and contact information for the accreditation body in a specific country/economy listed above.