A2LA Technical Advisory Committees
A2LA sets up technical advisory committees for certain fields or program areas if advice is needed beyond that which can be obtained from existing consensus standards writing and industry committees. Each advisory committee provides advice on the development of program requirements and the interpretation and/or amplification of the applicable international conformity assessment standard (e.g. ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, etc.) requirements for particular fields and/or programs. A set of bylaws is established and approved by the Board of Directors to govern the operation of each committee. The Chairman of each advisory committee becomes a member of the Criteria Council. Each advisory committee reports to the Criteria Council.
Participatory membership is open to all who meet the established membership rules within their respective Bylaws or as established by the Committee.
Meetings are usually once per year, held during the annual A2LA Technical Forum and Annual Meeting.
The following advisory committees are currently in effect:
Construction Materials Advisory Committee (CMAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation guides for construction materials, geotechnical, and putting green materials testing laboratories, as well as, for inspection bodies. The Committee shall address the issues and concerns related to any Proficiency Testing Providers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, with other organizations, and with individuals in the subject area, so that duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Mr. Mike Hart (301 644 3237; mhart@A2LA.org)
Electro-Mechanical Advisory Committee (EMAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation guides, positions, and recommendations to the Association for Electrical, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Product Safety, Telecom, Environmental Simulation [e.g. vibration, acceleration, rain, salt and moisture exposure, dust, thermal and humidity cycling, thermal and vibration shock, high/low temperature, low pressure (altitude), contamination by fluids, solar radiation (sunshine), fungus, explosive atmosphere, immersion, acoustic noise, life cycle/durability etc.], Software, Wireless, Bluetooth, Specific Absorption Ratio (SAR), Electro-mechanical functional and characteristic (e.g. dielectric, strength, resistance, etc.), and stress (e.g. highly accelerated life test and stress simulation, stress screening, etc.) testing. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited Product Certification Bodies and Proficiency Testing Providers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other Association committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject areas, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized. The Committee, as coordinated with or requested by the Association, shall represent the Association to various groups with a stake in the standards development process (e.g. FCC, NVCASE, AEMCLRP, ISO, Bluetooth SIG, CCF, CTIA, IEC, IEEE, EIA, ISA, IPC, SAE, NAVAIR, ELAWG, ACIL) within the areas enveloped by the Committee.
The A2LA EMAC also discusses and reaches consensus on how relevant technical methods, procedures, protocols, techniques and/or guidelines within the scope of the Bylaws of the EMAC are to be interpreted and assessed. The list of current EMAC consensus items may be found in P111 - Technical Consensus Decisions from the Electro-Mechanical Advisory Committee. Please check back periodically for updates to this list, as these represent how A2LA assessors will assess to the technical items listed.
A2LA Staff Contact - Mr. Adam Gouker (301 644 3217; agouker@A2LA.org)
Life Sciences Advisory Committee (LSAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation guides for biological, chemical and environmental laboratories. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited Product Certification Bodies, Proficiency Testing Providers and Reference Material Producers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject area, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Mr. Chris Gunning (240 575 7481; cgunning@A2LA.org)
Measurement Advisory Committee (MAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be to develop guides and provide guidance relating to calibration, measurement traceability, measurement uncertainty, dimensional inspection, reference materials, and measurement audits (proficiency testing). The Committee shall address the issues and concerns related to any Proficiency Testing Providers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, with other organizations, and with individuals in the subject area, so that duplication of effort will be minimized.
The A2LA MAC also discusses and reaches consensus on how relevant technical methods, procedures, protocols, techniques and/or guidelines within the scope of the Bylaws of the MAC are to be interpreted and assessed. The list of current MAC consensus items may be found in P109 - Technical Consensus Decisions from the Measurement Advisory Committee. Please check back periodically for updates to this list, as these represent how A2LA assessors will assess to the technical items listed.
A2LA Staff Contact - Ms. Ashly Bowers (301 644 3238; abowers@A2LA.org)
Materials Testing Advisory Committee (MTAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation guides for testing laboratories performing the following types of materials and product testing: mechanical, chemical, non-destructive, thermal, electrical, transportation, and fasteners. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited Product Certification Bodies, Proficiency Testing Providers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, with other organizations, and with individuals in the subject area, so that duplication of effort will be minimized.
The A2LA MTAC also discusses and reaches consensus on how relevant technical methods, procedures, protocols, techniques and/or guidelines within the scope of the Bylaws of the MTAC (A2LA A110) are to be interpreted and assessed. The list of current MTAC consensus items may be found in P108 - Technical Consensus Decisions from the Materials Testing Advisory Committee. Please check back periodically for updates to this list, as these represent how A2LA assessors will assess to the technical items listed.
A2LA Staff Contact - Ms. Karin Athanas (301 644 3236; kathanas@A2LA.org)
Medical Testing Advisory Committee (MedTAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation and assessment guides for medical testing laboratories in accordance with the ISO 15189 and current CLIA requirements and any other requirements that are applicable. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited Proficiency Testing Providers and Reference Material Producers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject matter/specialty area, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Ms. Roxanne Robinson (301 644 3208; rrobinson@A2LA.org)
Reference Materials Producer Advisory Committee (RMPAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be to provide guidance on the development of accreditation requirements for reference material producers. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited reference material producers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject area, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Mr. Randy Querry (301 644 3221; rquerry@A2LA.org)
Proficiency Testing Provider Advisory Committee (PTPAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be to provide guidance on the development of accreditation requirements for proficiency testing providers. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited proficiency testing providers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject area, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Mr. Rob Knake (301 644 3218; rknake@A2LA.org)
Forensic Examination Advisory Committee (FEAC)
The scope of the Committee shall be the development of accreditation and assessment guides in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020 requirements and any other requirements that are applicable for organizations performing testing or inspection related activities where the result of those activities will be used in civil and criminal proceedings. The Committee shall also address issues/concerns related to any accredited Proficiency Testing Providers and Reference Material Producers relevant to its scope. Project selection for this Committee will be coordinated with other A2LA committees, as appropriate, and with other organizations and individuals in the subject area, so that unnecessary duplication of effort will be minimized.
A2LA Staff Contact - Ms. Karin Athanas (301 644 3236; kathanas@A2LA.org)
