Laboratory accreditation is a means of determining the technical competence of laboratories to perform specific types of testing, measurement and calibration. It also provides formal recognition to competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to identify and select reliable testing, measurement and calibration services able to meet their needs.

When selecting a laboratory to fulfil your testing, calibration or measurement needs, you need to be sure that they can supply you with accurate and reliable results. The technical competence of a laboratory depends on a number of factors including:

• the qualifications, training and experience of the staff
• the right equipment - properly calibrated and maintained
• adequate quality assurance procedures
• proper sampling practices
• appropriate testing procedures
• valid test methods
• traceability of measurements to national standards
• accurate recording and reporting procedures
• suitable testing facilities

Government bodies and regulators are constantly called upon to make decisions related to:

• Protecting the health and welfare of consumers and the public
• Protecting the environment
• Developing new regulations and requirements
• Measuring compliance with regulatory and legal requirements
• Allocating resources, both technical and financial

Government bodies and regulators must have confidence in the data generated by laboratories in order to make these decisions. Using an accredited laboratory can help establish and assure this confidence.

Whilst effective as a management evaluation tool, ISO 9001 does not evaluate the technical competence of a supplier. This means that the evaluation of a supplier against ISO 9001 does not assure you or your customers that the test, inspection or calibration data are accurate and reliable.