A2LA Signs Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for Accreditation of Proficiency Testing Providers
Frederick, MD (PRWEB) June 26, 2014 -- A2LA is proud to announce that it is an inaugural signatory to the APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for the accreditation of proficiency testing providers (PTPs). The Scope of the APLAC MRA was extended to include the accreditation of PTPs on June 26, 2014 at the APLAC Technical Meetings and 20th General Assembly held in Guadalajara, Mexico. Seven accreditation bodies, including A2LA, from six economies became the inaugural signatories to the APLAC MRA for the accreditation of proficiency testing providers.
The accreditation bodies that are signatories to the APLAC MRA for proficiency testing provider accreditation use the international standard ISO/IEC 17043: Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing to accredit PTPs, ensuring a uniform approach to assessing PTP competence. This consistency allows economies to establish cross-border agreements (called MRAs), based on mutual evaluation and acceptance of each other’s PTP accreditation systems.
A2LA has been accrediting proficiency testing providers to ISO standards since 1999. The program was established for PTPs who wish to demonstrate their competence by formal compliance with a set of internationally-accepted requirements for the planning and implementation of proficiency testing programs. A2LA’s accreditation program also provides users of proficiency testing programs (e.g., laboratories, technical assessors, etc.) increased confidence that the programs being relied upon are being operated competently and in accordance with specified technical and management system requirements.
The APLAC MRA is the first international agreement to be extended to include the accreditation of PTPs.
About A2LA:
The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is a signatory to the APLAC MRA for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, clinical testing laboratories, inspection bodies, reference material producers and now proficiency testing providers. A2LA has operated as a non-profit, third-party accreditation body for over 30 years and offers a comprehensive proficiency testing provider accreditation program, as well as programs for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, reference material producers and product certification bodies. PTPs accredited by A2LA are now fully recognized under the APLAC MRA.
Rob Knake, American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), +1 3016443218, [email protected]
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