American Association for Laboratory Accreditation

Transcription

1 Page 1 of 5 This document describes the accreditation requirements for organizations performing activities associated with Stationary Source Evaluation Testing per the requirements of ASTM D7036 (2004). Accreditation to ASTM D7036 only is not covered under A2LA s ILAC Agreement. ACCREDITATION OPTIONS Air Emissions Testing Bodies (AETB s) engaged in environmental field sampling and testing activities may obtain accreditation through any combination of the three standards below. Accreditation to ASTM D7036 (2004) through A2LA is also recognized by STAC (Stack Testing Accreditation Council). Accreditation to ASTM D7036 (2004) Standard Practice for Competence of Air Emissions Testing Bodies. This activity is not covered under A2LA s ILAC Agreement Accreditation to ISO/IEC General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation to The NELAC Institute s National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Field Sampling and Measurement Organization (TNI FSMO) Volume 1 **Applicants seeking Florida DOH certification to the NELAC Institute (TNI) National Accreditation Standard and ISO/IEC (in combination with any of the other standards listed above) may achieve this in one joint assessment performed by A2LA. Please note that you must apply through your state for NELAC Accreditation and notify A2LA that you wish to pursue the joint accreditation process. See Press Release for more information. GENERAL CRITERIA Pre-Assessment planning: the assessor or assessment team shall determine whether site access or security advance planning/notification is required and whether any special site safety procedures may be required of the assessor/assessment team. Accreditation Options: Option A: Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025, NELAC Institute's Field Sampling and Measurement Organization (FSMO) Volume 1 Standard and ASTM D7036. This option falls under A2LA's ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Scope of Recognition and offers global recognition to the AETB. Option B: Accreditation to ISO/IEC and FSMO Volume 1. (Also covered under ILAC) Option C: Accreditation to ASTM D7036 only. This Option is not covered under the ILAC MRA.

2 Page 2 of 5 SPECIFIC CRITERIA Criteria below relate only to assessments performed to ASTM D7036. Any assessments that are also performed to ISO/IEC must meet all requirements of ISO/IEC 17025, A2LA R101-General Requirements for Accreditation of ISO/IEC Laboratories and all applicable A2LA Policy documents. On-Site Assessment: If the AETB operates out of multiple locations where accredited operations are performed, a different location will be visited during each renewal assessment. As Accreditation to ASTM D7036 only is not covered by A2LA s ILAC Agreement and a scope of accreditation is not generated for this accreditation; the organization may operate out of various fixed main/satellite facilities, as long as all facilities operate under the same management system and have supervisory oversight from the AETB Quality Manager or designee. STAC does not accept mock assessments, as such, an on-site assessment of the testing and field sampling activities for which the AETB wishes to be accredited must be observed during the assessment process. MEASUREMENT TRACEABILITY: Accreditation to ASTM D7036 only does not require conformance to P102 - A2LA Policy on Metrological Traceability Accreditation to ASTM D7036 and ISO/IEC does require conformance to P102- A2LA Policy on Metrological Traceability ASTM D7036 ONLY: Testing Equipment and Calibration of Measurement and Test Equipment must be traceable to Certified Reference Materials per the National Institute of Metrology (NIST) definition which states: Reference material characterized by a metrologically valid procedure for one or more specified properties, accompanied by a certificate that provides the value of the specified property, its associated uncertainty, and a statement of metrological traceability - Equipment used for testing must have a certificate or document that states the equipment calibration is traceable to NIST or another applicable National Metrology Institute (NMI). - Reference Materials used for internal calibrations must have a certificate indicating the CRM is traceable to NIST.

3 Page 3 of 5 CERTIFICATE AND SCOPE OF ACCREDITATION: ASTM D7036 only Accreditation: A2LA shall grant a certificate of accreditation to the AETB in the Environmental field of testing. A scope of accreditation shall NOT accompany the certificate. The AETB shall perform all Air Emissions Testing in conformance with ASTM D7036. Any testing not performed in conformance with this standard shall be agreed upon by the customer and noted appropriately in the test plan and test report. The Certificate of Accreditation will not indicate a specific AETB location. All locations that operate under the AETB quality system are applicable to the accreditation. The AETB shall maintain a listing of all locations where accredited activities are performed and these locations are susceptible to an on-site assessment by A2LA. ASTM D ISO/IEC Accreditation: A2LA will grant a scope of accreditation outlining methods and technologies performed by the AETB as well as two certificates; one certification to ISO/IEC and one to ASTM D7036 as outlined above. PROFICIENCY TESTING If commercial proficiency testing is available, AETB s must meet A2LA s R103 General Requirements: Proficiency Testing for ISO/IEC Laboratories and the associated R103a Annex. ACCREDITATION SYMBOL USAGE A2LA ASTM D7036 Only - Accredited Symbol Usage: A2LA will provide each accredited AETB a custom combined STAC/A2LA Accredited to ASTM D7036 symbol or A2LA Accredited to ASTM D7036 Only symbol along with the AETB certificate number following the initial accreditation of the AETB. The combined symbol will be generated automatically, however the AETB may request the A2LA Accredited symbol without the STAC logo, if necessary. AETB s accredited to both ASTM D7036 and ISO/IEC will be provided the standard A2LA Accredited Symbol. A2LA ASTM D7036 and ISO/IEC Accredited Laboratories must meet A2LA s R105 - Requirements When Making Reference to A2LA Accredited Status See next page for ASTM D7036 Only symbol usage

4 Page 4 of 5 Symbol Usage for Air Emission Testing Bodies (AETBs) Recognized under the STAC Program ASTM D7036 Accreditation Only 1.1 Accredited organizations may use the combined A2LA Accredited to ASTM D7036 Only symbol in order to demonstrate recognition by the Stack Testing Accreditation Council (STAC) and A2LA of their competence to perform air emissions testing activities per ASTM D7036 (2004). 1.2 This symbol may be used only in combination with the accredited AETB s A2LA certificate number. For example, the symbol below is appropriate for use: 1.3 This symbol may only be used on test reports, quotations, etc. where the testing is associated with current air emissions test methods and is performed in compliance with ASTM D All requirements of Sections 1-5 of A2LA s R105- Requirements when Making Reference to the A2LA Accredited Status are also applicable to use of this symbol (with the exception of Section 1.4.2, as no Scope of Accreditation is issued under this program). 1.5 In addition, accredited organizations may use this symbol in combination with the STAC logo. All requirements of this section apply to use of this combined symbol as well; the only exception being that the color of the STAC symbol may not be altered from the version provided by A2LA. As an example, the symbol below is also appropriate for use:

5 Page 5 of AETBs that are also accredited by A2LA to ISO/IEC may use the A2LA Accredited symbol in compliance with Sections 1-5 of R105. This symbol may also be used in combination with the STAC logo. All requirements of Section 1-5 apply to use of this combined symbol; the only exception being that the color of the STAC symbol may not be altered from the version provided by A2LA. Please request this custom symbol from your A2LA Accreditation Officer. Document Revision History Date Description Initial Issue 2017 by A2LA All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of A2LA.