A2LA

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, commonly known as A2LA, is a non-profit, public, and private sector organization. Its primary mission is to provide programs of excellence in accreditation to organizations that provide testing, calibration, inspection, and product certification services. A2LA accredits laboratories to international standards, most notably ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection bodies, and ISO/IEC 17065 for product certification bodies.

Established in 1978, A2LA has become a recognized authority in the field of accreditation, both domestically and internationally. Accreditation by A2LA signifies that a laboratory or inspection body has met rigorous technical competence requirements and operates a quality management system. This recognition facilitates acceptance of test results and certifications across national borders through mutual recognition agreements established by international bodies such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

A2LA's accreditation process involves a thorough assessment by trained technical assessors who evaluate the organization's procedures, personnel competency, equipment, and overall quality system. This ensures that accredited organizations are capable of producing accurate and reliable data. The accreditation is typically granted for a period of two years, with surveillance assessments conducted periodically to ensure continued compliance. A2LA's work contributes to public confidence in the safety and quality of products and services by ensuring that the organizations verifying these attributes are themselves competent and credible.