Laboratory accreditation—Building confidence on acoustical testing- and calibration-lab quality

Abstract

Testing (and calibration) laboratories, to be good, must provide consistent accurate and precise measurements of the test objects based on their well-defined procedures. Lab accreditation is one way to assure the engineers, scientists, and technicians in the lab AND the lab customers and the public have confidence in the skills, facilities, and results of the lab’s work. There is an international standard, ISO/IEC 17025-2005 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.” This standard is for use by laboratories in developing their management system, for quality, administrative, and technical operations Following this standard will help labs assure quality in their work. To assure the public (and the lab’s customers) that the lab does follow this, an objective agency evaluates the lab’s quality program. This process is called “accreditation.” Accreditation is done under strict quality control by accrediting agencies, of which there are several available for worldwide labs. Most of the presentation will emphasize what is required and involved in the accreditation process This presentation will also discuss (1) why accreditation is useful, (2) who does the accreditation, (3) how are they qualified to do accreditation, (4) how costs are determined, and (5) how fast can it be accomplished.