On September 29, 2000, A2LA became one of the first three accrediting bodies recognized by The National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA).

NACLA is the private-sector, nonprofit voluntary organization whose mission is to coordinate U.S. laboratory accreditation by granting recognition to competent accreditation bodies. 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 Guide 58); witnessing the conduct of assessments performed by the accreditation body's assessors; 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 promote the recognition of 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.

A2LA has been an extremely active member of NACLA since it was founded several years ago. In 2001, Roxanne Robinson, Vice President, served as a member of the NACLA Board of Directors, and Pete Unger, President, served as Chair of the Training Committee. Ms. Robinson was elected President of NACLA for 2002.

Standardization activities in accreditation and conformity assessment remain a high priority for the Association. A2LA participates on ASTM Committee E36 on Conformity Assessment. The Committee is involved in accreditation, registration and certification standardization activities that A2LA considers important to support. Staff members are also involved in numerous ASTM, ANSI and NCSL International committees related to technical and accreditation issues.