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A2LA Recognized for California ELAP Accreditation to TNI 2016 Standard
World Accreditation Day is June 9th
Learn about Accreditation in Food Safety with A2LA & Microbac Laboratories
Announcing A2LA's New Core Values!
To learn about them and how they were developed click here.
A2LA Updates in Response to COVID-19
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A great tool to help assist with evaluating measurement uncertainty! Get Your Copy
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Our accredited organizations span a variety of industries, operating where consumer and public safety is paramount. Accreditation provides confidence that the systems in place will support quality services.
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A2LA's Technical Forum promotes discussion and training on topics related to the accreditation industry through face-to-face interactions with staff, members, assessors, accredited organizations and other interested parties.
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Testimonials
ALS Global’s Tucson Laboratory has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 with A2LA since 2013. Recently, a request came from a major client in Hong Kong to quickly add methods to our scope of accreditation. The project was put on hold until ALS could get the additional methods added, so a fast response was critical. A2LA responded very quickly and helped ALS through the process of adding the methods to the scope of accreditation. The whole process went very smoothly and quickly, allowing the ALS client to release the project for testing. A2LA has always been very responsive and helpful with obtaining and maintaining our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and we would recommend them to anyone in need of accreditation services.
Ralph V. Poulsen
(ALS Global)
The process used for witnessing competency for each method was top notch. Both Specialists knew exactly what to provide including Training, Calibration, Method, and Report.
(NB Coatings, Inc.)
Our A2LA assessor was great to work with. Since this was our first audit with A2LA she provided a great deal of explanation regarding deficiencies and policies that may differ from our previous assessment company.
(Great Plains Analytical Laboratory)
We started the process of achieving accreditation due to our own evaluations resulting in many differing opinions on whether certain requirements were being met or not. Working with A2LA has resulted in no longer spending resources on correcting issues that were the result of differing opinions; A2LA has assessed our laboratory numerous times with three different assessors and they all have had the same interpretation of the requirements. This allows my lab to focus on improvements rather than correcting issues. A2LA is extremely cost efficient; they provide professional, knowledgable assessors, and make the entire process from initial contact to assessments extremely simple. If you work through the process of accreditation, you will come out the other end with a much better calibration program that will stand up to intense scrutiny.
Manager
(an Industrial Hygiene Calibration Laboratory)
It was a real pleasure to have the chance to interact with the A2LA Staff and with the A2LA Management. I consider that long time ago we took the BEST POSSIBLE DECISION to choose A2LA as body for our Accreditation.
we definitely found VALUE and we built CONFIDENCE in the PRODUCTS and SERVICES that A2LA supplied us since we started the accreditation!
I would like to take advantage of this survey to forward our TOTAL APPRECIATON for the OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL assistance that Ms. Megan Riebau and Mr. Rob Miller provided us during the years.
(DSC Testing Laboratory)
- Manager (an Industrial Hygiene Calibration Laboratory)
- Ralph V. Poulsen (ALS Global)
- (DSC Testing Laboratory)
- (Dakota Analytical, Inc.)
- (NB Coatings, Inc.)
We started the process of achieving accreditation due to our own evaluations resulting in many differing opinions on whether certain requirements were being met or not. Working with A2LA has resulted in no longer spending resources on correcting issues that were the result of differing opinions; A2LA has assessed our laboratory numerous times with three different assessors and they all have had the same interpretation of the requirements. This allows my lab to focus on improvements rather than correcting issues. A2LA is extremely cost efficient; they provide professional, knowledgable assessors, and make the entire process from initial contact to assessments extremely simple. If you work through the process of accreditation, you will come out the other end with a much better calibration program that will stand up to intense scrutiny.
ALS Global’s Tucson Laboratory has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 with A2LA since 2013. Recently, a request came from a major client in Hong Kong to quickly add methods to our scope of accreditation. The project was put on hold until ALS could get the additional methods added, so a fast response was critical. A2LA responded very quickly and helped ALS through the process of adding the methods to the scope of accreditation. The whole process went very smoothly and quickly, allowing the ALS client to release the project for testing. A2LA has always been very responsive and helpful with obtaining and maintaining our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and we would recommend them to anyone in need of accreditation services.
It was a real pleasure to have the chance to interact with the A2LA Staff and with the A2LA Management. I consider that long time ago we took the BEST POSSIBLE DECISION to choose A2LA as body for our Accreditation.
we definitely found VALUE and we built CONFIDENCE in the PRODUCTS and SERVICES that A2LA supplied us since we started the accreditation!
I would like to take advantage of this survey to forward our TOTAL APPRECIATON for the OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL assistance that Ms. Megan Riebau and Mr. Rob Miller provided us during the years.
We find the A2LA accreditation useful and an important selling point for our lab's service. It is difficult to estimate a benefit in contrast to the cost (both time and money) and at times we have certainly wished we could achieve accreditation without as much of a cost. Despite this, retaining accreditation has been a priority because of the trust that it engenders in our customers in relation to our testing results.
The process used for witnessing competency for each method was top notch. Both Specialists knew exactly what to provide including Training, Calibration, Method, and Report.
Frequently Asked Questions
My unit performs a number of activities, but I’m only ready to get my latent prints section accredited. Can I do this?
As an applicant to the A2LA forensic accreditation program, you are asked to identify the activities which you would like to include within your scope of accreditation. A2LA does not place limitations or requirements on what activities at your facility must be accredited and we work with you to ensure that all requested areas that are deemed compliant are captured on your scope.
In additi… Read more
What is a CAB?
A Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is defined in the general requirements for accreditation bodies (ISO/IEC 17011) as a “body that performs conformity assessment services and that can be the object of accreditation.” This is meant to encompass the variety of organizations that A2LA accredits (i.e., laboratories, inspection bodies, product certification bodies, reference material produc… Read more
What is the goal of A2LA’s Cannabis Testing Laboratory Program?
The goal of A2LA’s Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program is to promote confidence to users and regulators with regard to the safety of medical and recreational marijuana through the accreditation of cannabis testing laboratories and (when relevant) inspection bodies.
… Read more
4.1.5 - If a risk to impartiality is identified but no records are in place yet to show mitigating action has been taken, is this a non-conformity?
The Standard does not include expectations on timeliness of records demonstrating mitigation actions.
At a minimum, the risk that was identified must be recorded in the laboratory's next management review (see 8.9.2.m), and the laboratory must also be prepared to discuss what plan(s) of action are being readied to address the risk (see 8.5.2).
… Read more
It seems like the cost of accreditation goes up every year, what has A2LA done to help keep costs down.
A2LA recognizes that over the years, budgets have not expanded to address the increased needs of the forensic community and that funds may be limited when it comes to obtaining accreditation. As such, A2LA has instituted a fee-based cost structure which allows A2LA to confirm a set price for assessment and continued accreditation over a number of years. In these cases, only travel expenses would a… Read more
Blog Feed
Source Molecular Adds Environmental SARS-CoV-2 Testing Under A2LA Scope
On May 21st, the A2LA-accredited laboratory Source Molecular Corporation (SMC) introduced testing services for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on wastewater, air, and surfaces. They are the first A2LA-accredited laboratory to conduct this type of SARS-CoV-2 testing, which is covered...Read more
ALS Expands A2LA Scope to Cover COVID-19 Surface Testing
ALS, an international provider of laboratory services headquartered in Australia, has recently expanded the scope of accreditation at their largest US laboratory to include a test for the detection of the novel coronavirus on surfaces. This ALS laboratory is among the first laboratories to be...Read more
Accreditation in Food Safety: A2LA & Microbac Laboratories
Accreditation bodies and food testing laboratories share an important responsibility: both are part of a complex process that ensures the widespread availability of safe, accurately labeled, and contaminant-free food products. Over 40+ years of operation, A2LA has provided accreditation services...Read more
FSMA Accreditation Program Nearing Finalization
As part of ongoing policy developments under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working to establish its own accreditation program for food testing laboratories. This program will be carried out by accreditation bodies (ABs), such as A2LA,...Read more
Securisea Becomes First FedRAMP 3PAO Accredited Through New Process
In June of 2018, A2LA initiated a new system for third-party assessment organizations (3PAOs) seeking to become FedRAMP accredited. Under this system, any organization seeking to become an accredited 3PAO must first become accredited to A2LA’s Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program. Organizations...Read more
Happy World Metrology day from A2LA
In 1875, representatives of 17 nations gathered in Paris, France to sign the Metre Convention: an agreement that was designed to take measurement standardization out of the hands of any one specific nation. As part of this agreement, the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) was...Read more
A2LA Announces New Core Values
Over the course of the last year, a dedicated team of A2LA employees were entrusted with the task of identifying and codifying a set of core values that capture A2LA’s ideals and provide a benchmark for our future endeavors. The five-person group included members from several different A2LA...Read more
A2LA Supports New California Water Board Accreditation Requirements
May 8, 2020, Frederick, MD - On May 5th 2020, California’s State Water Resources Control Board announced the adoption of a new set of regulations designed to modernize the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). These new regulations will require accredited laboratories to...Read more
A2LA Customer Care Profiles: Andy Randolph
This week marks one month since the official launch of the A2LA Customer Care Department, and the last entry in our series profiling our attentive and dedicated Customer Care Representatives. Andy Randolph, the most recent of our four hires for the department, shared some information about...Read more
A2LA Contracted to Assess Louisiana Laboratories Under LELAP
May 5, 2020, Frederick, MD – In early 2020, A2LA was awarded a three-year contract with the Department of Environmental Quality of the State of Louisiana, making them one of a small group of providers authorized to assess laboratories under the Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation...Read more
A2LA Customer Care Profiles: Frank Matthews
Welcome back to the A2LA Customer Care Department profile series, helping you get to know the clever and talented people who are hard at work making A2LA’s newest department the best it can be. Join us as we get to know the subject of this week’s profile: Frank Matthews.Read more
A2LA Customer Care Profiles: Clinterria Jones
The A2LA Customer Care Department has been hard at work over the last two weeks responding to customer inquiries, growing their knowledge of accreditation concepts, and collaborating with other departments to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. This week, as part of the...Read more
Oneworld Accuracy Expands A2LA Scope to Support Accurate, Accessible COVID-19 Testing
Oneworld Accuracy, a Vancouver-based proficiency testing provider, recently contacted A2LA with a request to expand their scope of accreditation to cover their newly developed COVID-19 proficiency testing program under ISO/IEC 17043. Due to the severity of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, A2LA...Read more
A2LA Customer Care Profiles: Conor Morrissey
Earlier this month, A2LA announced the official launch of our Customer Care Department, a full-time team dedicated to supporting A2LA accreditation officers as they serve our valued customers. Over the course of the next several weeks, A2LA will be profiling each of our new customer care...Read more
A2LA Launches New Customer Care Department
A2LA has always been committed to exemplary customer care, providing reliable and attentive support through everything from the most routine to the most exceptional circumstances. Over the course of the last several months, A2LA has been developing and implementing a new four-person Customer Care...Read more
A2LA Attends Grand Opening of New TÜV Rheinland Furniture Testing Lab
Two members of the A2LA staff, Kelsey Roberts and Steve Medellin, had the opportunity to attend the grand opening of TÜV Rheinland’s new furniture testing laboratory near Grand Rapids, Michigan on March 5th, 2020. The event included a tour of the facility, demonstrations of TÜV Rheinland’s...Read more
A 20/20 Perspective on Accreditation in Eyeglass Testing
Although all prescription glasses are medical devices, they’re so ubiquitous that people rarely stop to think about how they’re made and tested. Yet, as with so many of the products that we use every day, accreditation and the global quality infrastructure play a critical role in delivering safe...Read more
A2LA Supports Newly Launched “BIFMA Compliant” Program
In June 2019, The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) formally announced the launch of its branded conformance program, BIFMA Compliant.Read more
A2LA Expands Quality Forensic Toxicology’s Scope to Include Cannabis Testing
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of Quality Forensic Toxicology for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Today December 2019 Newsletter
A2LA Today | December 2019 | Number 145Read more
A2LA Accredits Global Laboratory Services, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the renewal of accreditation of Global Laboratory Services, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Accredits North Coast Analytical Laboratories and North Coast Testing Laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025:2017
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of both North Coast Analytical Laboratories and North Coast Testing Laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Accredits Escondido Police Department Forensic Services Unit to ISO/IEC 17020:2012
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of the Escondido Police Department Forensic Services Unit to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 under the Forensic Examination Accreditation Program for crime scene investigation, latent print processing, and latent print analysis.Read more
A2LA Today September 2019 Newsletter
A2LA Today l September 2019 l Number 144Read more
A2LA Accredits MA Analytics and Aeos Labs, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of MA Analytics and Aeos Labs, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Announces Stand-Alone Sampling Organization Accreditation Program and Sampling Field of Accreditation
A2LA is pleased to announce the creation of a sampling field of accreditation.Read more
A2LA Accredits Demeter Laboratory and Galbraith Laboratories, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce both the accreditation of Demeter Laboratory and the renewal of accreditation of Galbraith Laboratories, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for cannabis testing. Read more
A2LA Accredits Legend Technical Services, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025 for Industrial Hemp
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of Legend Technical Services, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for industrial hemp testing. Legend Technical Services is based in St. Paul, Minnesota and is currently the only cannabis testing laboratory accredited in the state. Read more
A2LA Accredits Stillwater Laboratories Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of Stillwater Laboratories, Inc. to ISO/IEC 17025 for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Announces Acquisition of WorkPlace Training
A Leader in Metrology and Measurement Training ServicesRead more
A2LA signs MOU with ATACH – American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp
A2LA and the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) are proud to announce the first ever partnership agreement between a laboratory accreditation body and cannabis trade organization. Read more
A2LA Announces Formation of New Company, A2LA WorkPlace Training
A2LA is proud to announce the formation of a new company, A2LA WorkPlace Training (A2LA WPT).Read more
A2LA Accredits First City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Special Inspection Agency
A2LA has accredited its first City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Special Inspection Agency to the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 - Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection.Read more
A2LA Accredits GEL Laboratories, LLC to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of GEL Laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 for cannabis testing, specifically for hemp plant material, oils, and solids. Read more
A2LA Accredits Fouser Environmental Services LTD to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of Fouser Environmental Services LTD to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for cannabis testing.Read more
A2LA Accredits Cornell Veterinary Biobank to New ISO 20387 International Standard
A2LA is proud to announce the issuance of its first accreditation, and the first such accreditation in the world, to the newly published standard ISO 20387:2018 – Biobanking – General requirements for biobanking.Read more
A2LA Accredits Keystone State Testing LLC DBA Dakota State Testing to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of Keystone State Testing LLC DBA Dakota State Testing to ISO/IEC 17025 for cannabis testing. Read more
A2LA Issues its 5000th Certificate of Accreditation
A2LA is proud to announce the issuance of its 5000th certificate of accreditation to RJ Lee Group, Inc.’s Columbia Basin Analytical Laboratories (CBAL) in Pasco, WA.Read more
A2LA Promotes Laboratory Accreditation Concepts at 2019 Technical Forum
A2LA hosted its 2019 Technical Forum last weekend in Reston, VA. The event gathered over 400 attendees, including A2LA assessors, accredited organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss the state of the accreditation industry and to engage in professional development related to conformity...Read more
A2LA Implements New Board Structure and Welcomes New Board Members for 2019
A2LA is pleased to announce the implementation of a new structure for its Board of Directors. The A2LA Board will now be comprised of a Governance Board, ultimately setting a stronger foundation for supporting A2LA staff.Read more
A2LA Today March 2019 Newsletter
A2LA Today l March 2019 l Number 142Read more
A2LA Launches ISO 20387 Biobank Accreditation Program
A2LA is proud to announce the launch of its new Biobank Accreditation Program.Read more
A2LA President/CEO Honored as one of Frederick County’s Top 50 CEOs
Lonnie Spires, A2LA’s President/CEO, was recognized by Frederick County Office of Economic Development (OED) as one of the Top 50 CEOs in 2018.Read more
A2LA Today December 2018 Newsletter
A2LA Today l December 2018 l Number 141Read more
A2LA Expands Phenova, Inc. Accreditation to Include Cannabis Proficiency Testing
A2LA is pleased to announce the renewal of accreditation of Phenova based in Golden, Colorado. Phenova is A2LA’s first ISO/IEC 17043 accredited Proficiency Testing Provider for cannabis.Read more
A2LA Today September 2018 Newsletter
A2LA Today l September 2018 l Number 140Read more
A2LA Grants First Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) Accreditation
A2LA provided Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP) Accreditation to the US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MDRead more
A2LA Accredits EVIO Labs Massachusetts to ISO/IEC 17025
EVIO Labs Massachusetts is based in Southborough, MA, and is the first cannabis testing laboratory accredited by A2LA in the state.Read more
A2LA Launches Bluetooth Qualification Program
A2LA is proud to announce it has launched its Bluetooth Qualification program, and is currently the only Accreditation Body recognized by Bluetooth SIG to offer these services.Read more
A2LA Reapproved by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as an Accreditation Organization Under the CLIA 88
A2LA is the only accreditation body in the world holding the highest level of formal clinical laboratory accreditation recognitions: CMS CLIA Deemed Status and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Recognition.Read more
A2LA Honored as one of FREDERICK COUNTY BEST PLACES TO WORK
A2LA was honored at an awards reception on Thursday, July 26th as one of Frederick County Best Places to Work.Read more
A2LA Today June 2018 Newsletter
A2LA Today l June 2018 l Number 139Read more
A2LA Launches Cybersecurity Inspection Body Program
This third-party accreditation offers an independent review of an organization’s compliance to both ISO/IEC 17020 as well as technical program requirements for the desired scope of accreditation.Read more
A2LA Issues First Accreditation to Newly Published ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Fischer Custom Communications is accredited to perform electrical – R/F microwave calibrations and has been accredited by A2LA, previously under the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard, for over 10 years. Read more
A2LA Accredits First Recreational Marijuana Laboratory in Alaska to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA Accredits First Recreational Marijuana Laboratory in Alaska to ISO/IEC 17025 Read more
A2LA Today March 2018 Newsletter
A2LA Today l March 2018 l Number 138Read more
A2LA Stakeholders Participate in Award-Winning AOAC Working Group on Cannabis
A2LA stakeholders on the working group include Mr. Roger Brauninger, A2LA Biosafety Program Manager, Dr. Susan Audino, A2LA Assessor and Trainer, and Mr. Seth Wong of A2LA-accredited TEQ Laboratories. Read more
ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17011 Update
A2LA Today l December 2017 l Number 137 By Trace McInturff, A2LA Senior Director, Accreditation Services
Read more
A2LA Recognized by U.S. Department of Energy to Provide Accreditation in Consolidated Audit Program (DOECAP)
A2LA has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as part of its Consolidated Audit Program (DOECAP) to provide accreditation to commercial analytical environmental laboratories. Read more
First A2LA ISO 15189 Accreditation in South America
Guyana Laboratory is First South American Laboratory to Achieve A2LA ISO 15189:2012 AccreditationRead more
A2LA Welcomes New Staff - September 2017
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Lauren Bisson, A2LA HR GeneralistRead more
A2LA Now Accepting Applications for Accreditation of US EPA TSCA Title VI Third-Party Certifiers
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Caitlin Krop, A2LA Accreditation OfficerRead more
NCSL International Workshop & Symposium 2017
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Ashly Carter, A2LA Program ManagerRead more
A2LA Recognized as a Great Place to Work
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Lauren Bisson, A2LA HR GeneralistRead more
A2LA End-of-Summer Event
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Karin Athanas, A2LA Business Development ManagerRead more
Updates to A2LA Website Document Access
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Pam Wright, A2LA Quality ManagerRead more
Summary of CASCO ISO/IEC 17025 WG44 Drafting Group Meeting in Geneva, July 2017
A2LA Today l September 2017 l Number 136
By Tim Osborne, A2LA Senior Director of Training Services Read more
Highlights from the 2017 A2LA Technical Forum & Annual Meeting
A2LA held its annual Technical Forum Friday, March 31st through Sunday, April 2nd in Reston, VA. Read more
A2LA Tech Forum
Sponsorship and Vendor Opportunities Available!
Reach professionals in your target market at one of the largest conformity assessment conferences in the United States.
Gold, Silver and Bag Insert sponsorship levels still available.
Gold Sponsor Level includes educational...Read more
A2LA Pursuing FCC Recognition to Accredit Test Firms in Non-MRA Countries
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently published FCC 16-74 “Memorandum Opinion and Order on Reconsideration” (released June 15, 2016), which extends the deadline for all laboratories who perform Certification and Declaration of Conformity (DoC) testing per the FCC rules to be...Read more
A2LA Attends Initial ASTM Organizational Meeting for Cannabis Committee
In recognition of the need for international standards within the cannabis industry, ASTM International held an organization meeting at their headquarters in West Conshohocken, PA on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, with the intent of establishing a new Cannabis Committee. The meeting served as an...Read more
Lonnie Spires Appointed as A2LA President and CEO
A2LA is pleased to announce the selection of Lonnie Spires as its next Chief Executive Officer. Spires succeeds Peter Unger, who served as A2LA’s President and CEO for twenty years and continues to support the Association in his position as President Emeritus. Spires brings to the position over a...Read more
A2LA Welcomes New Staff - June 2017
Since the last edition of A2LA Today, A2LA has welcomed several new staff members to our growing team!Read more
A2LA Welcomes New Approved Lead Assessors - June 2017
Since the previous issue of A2LA Today, the following individuals have achieved the status of “Staff Approved Lead Assessor” and have begun performing assessments for A2LA: Read more
A2LA Congratulates John Knicely as 2017 A2LA Assessor of the Year
The 2017 A2LA Assessor of the Year award was presented to Mr. John Knicely on April 1, 2017. Previously the Lab Manager for Banks Brothers Corporation, located in Hagerstown, MD, John has extensive background in testing of rubber, foam, plastic and adhesive for the automotive industry. Read more
A2LA Welcomes New Staff - March 2017
Since the New Year began, A2LA is pleased to welcome Four new staff members to the A2LA team!Read more
Summary of CASCO ISO/IEC 17025 WG44 Drafting Group Meeting 2
CASCO ISO/IEC 17025 WG44 held its second drafting group (DG) meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 1 - 3, 2017 at the NRC office. 18 delegates were in attendance. A2LA was represented by Trace McInturff, Senior Director, Accreditation Services. The objective of this DG was to...Read more
A2LA Recognized to Accredit Special Inspection Agencies in the City of Philadelphia
A2LA is now recognized by the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections to provide ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection accreditation for Special Inspection Agencies conducting work for the City of Philadelphia....Read more
World Accreditation Day 2017
June 9, 2017 marks World Accreditation Day as a global initiative, jointly established by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), to raise awareness of the importance of accreditation.Read more
Transition Period for ISO 17034:2016 Implementation Established for Accredited Reference Materials Producers
ISO 17034:2016 General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Material Producers became publicly available on November 1, 2016, superseding ISO Guide 34:2009. The Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) has implemented a three-year transition period from the date of...Read more
Peter Unger Honored for Years of Service at ILAC General Assembly
A2LA Today l December 2016 l Number 133 ~ Peter Unger, A2LA President Emeritus, has served on the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Executive Committee since 2001. His most recent position as ILAC Chair has spanned from 2011 until the close of 2016.Read more
Pete Unger Honored by ASTM International
~ A2LA President Emeritus, Peter Unger, has been granted an Award of Merit and the honorary title of Fellow by ASTM InternationalRead more
Pam Wright Honored at NCSLI 2016 Event
A2LA Calibration Accreditation Manager, Pam Wright, was honored by NCSL International at their 2016 Workshop and Symposium. Ms. Wright was presented with the following awards by NCSLI President, Roger Burton:Read more
A2LA Welcomes Newly Approved Lead Assessors - March 2017
Since the previous issue of A2LA Today, the following individuals have achieved the status of “Staff Approved Lead Assessor” and have begun performing assessments for A2LA:Read more
AOAC and Industry to Set Voluntary Consensus Standards for Cannabis
*reprinted from the May/June 2016 issue of AOAC Inside Laboratory Management
AOAC and industry are partnering to develop Standard Method Performance Requirements (SMPRs®) in an effort to find the best testing method(s) for cannabis. Analytical testing in the cannabis sector is greatly...Read more
A2LA Welcomes New Approved Lead Assessors - September 2016
Since the previous issue of A2LA Today, the following individuals have achieved the status of “Staff Approved Lead Assessor” and have begun performing assessments for A2LA:Read more
A2LA Welcomes New Approved Lead Assessors - December 2016
Since the previous issue of A2LA Today, the following individuals have achieved the status of “Staff Approved Lead Assessor” and have begun performing assessments for A2LA:Read more
A2LA Chosen to Credential Cannabis Testing Laboratories in the State of Alaska
A2LA has been awarded a contract with the state of Alaska, under Alaska regulation AAC 306, to provide credentialing services for five marijuana testing facilities in the State. The contract requires that these facilities undergo an independent evaluation by A2LA as a prerequisite for them to...Read more
A2LA Expands IAAC Scope of Recognition to Include Proficiency Testing Providers & Reference Materials Producers
A2LA is proud to announce that its Scope of Recognition as an Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) Multi-Lateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) signatory has been expanded to include accreditation of proficiency testing providers (ISO/IEC 17043) and reference material producers...Read more
A2LA Issues First ISO 17034:2016 Accreditation in the United States
A2LA is proud to announce the accreditation of Brammer Standard Company, Inc., located in Houston, TX, as the first organization in the United States to achieve accreditation to the newly released International Standard, ISO 17034:2016: General requirements for the competence of reference...Read more
A2LA Becomes Accredited Provider of IACET CEUs
The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has awarded A2LA the industry-respected Accredited Provider status. IACET Accredited Providers are the only organizations approved to offer IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The recognition period is for five...Read more
A2LA Attends the 2017 “Emerald Conference” in Support of Quality in Cannabis Testing
Although the name of the conference may imply otherwise, this was not a conference on gemstones. A2LA CEO, Lonnie Spires, and A2LA Biosafety Program Manager, Roger Brauninger, traveled to San Diego, California on February 2-4, 2017 to attend and exhibit at the 3rd annual “Emerald Cannabis...Read more
A2LA Appoints Tim Osborne as Senior Director to Lead the Association’s Training Services
A2LA is proud to announce that Tim Osborne has been appointed to the newly-created position of Senior Director of Training Services. Osborne currently also serves as NCSLI’s VP of Operations and contributes technical expertise to Working Group 44, ISO/IEC 17025:2017.Read more
A2LA Accepting Applications for Department of Homeland Security P25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP)
In response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) posting of new P25 Compliance Assessment Bulletins (CABs) that outline test procedures for the P25 Compliance Assessment Program (P25 CAP), A2LA is now accepting applications for its P25...Read more
A2LA Accredits First Cannabis Testing Laboratory in Washington State
On May 3, 2017 A2LA was pleased to issue its first ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for cannabis testing in the State of Washington. This was a scope expansion recognizing the competence of the Washington State Department of Agriculture - Chemical and Hops Laboratory, located in Yakima, WA in...Read more
A2LA Recognized by The NELAC Institute (TNI) for Accrediting Environmental Laboratories
A2LA is proud to announce that it has received recognition as a non-governmental accreditation body (NGAB) from The NELAC Institute (TNI) for accrediting environmental laboratories, using ISO/IEC 17025 and the TNI standard. The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)...Read more
A2LA Accredits First Organization in the NFPA Field Evaluation Body Accreditation Program
A2LA is proud to announce the accreditation of QSES Inc., located in Shiba, Japan, under the A2LA accreditation program for Field Evaluation Bodies (FEB) that combines ISO/IEC 17020:2012 and NFPA 790/791. FEBs evaluate one-of-a-kind, limited-production, used, or modified electrical equipment that...Read more
Revising ISO/IEC 17025 – A Summary of CASCO WG44 Meeting 5
CASCO Working Group (WG) 44 held its fifth meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on 20-23 September 2016 at the ISO headquarters. Forty-One delegates and nineteen liaison members were in attendance plus eight additional members via Webex.Read more
ISO/IEC 17025 Identified as an Approved Forensic Standard by the OSAC
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC), a forensic organization administered by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has recently completed its review of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and approved it for addition to the OSAC Registry of Approved Standards.Read more
A2LA Accredits First Recreational Marijuana Laboratory in North America to ISO/IEC 17025
A2LA is pleased to announce the accreditation of TEQ Analytical Laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for cannabis testing. TEQ Analytical Laboratories, based in Colorado, is the first recreational marijuana laboratory in North America accredited to this international standard. A2LA Biosafety...Read more