A2LA's chemical testing field covers a broad array of techniques and analytes in many different industries.

Chemical testing may be broken into two primary areas: materials testing and life sciences testing.

Materials Testing

Materials testing may include, but is not limited to, chemical analyses and detection (including instrumental and automated methods) on materials and products such as metals, plastics, rubber, coatings, and lead in products. Materials testing typically includes raw materials and/or finished products.

Life Sciences Testing

Life sciences testing is diverse and may include pharmaceutical products, cannabis, environmental samples (e.g., soil, water, or air), food, drugs, and veterinary diagnostic testing, among others.

If you are seeking information about chemical testing in the area of environmental samples (e.g. soil, water, or air analyses) this is typically covered under the A2LA environmental testing field.

Program Requirements

• ISO/IEC 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories
• Optional Requirements for the Accreditation of Field Work 
  • A2LA also offers additional requirements for laboratories performing tests in the field (i.e., at other than a permanent laboratory site).
• Optional Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) requirements. 

Subprograms

In addition to the general chemical testing field, subprograms within this field have additional, specific requirements for accreditation:

• Veterinary Laboratory Accreditation Program
• Competition Animal Drug Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
• Food and Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program
• Consumer Product Safety Testing (CPSC)
• Cannabis Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program