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In this section:

• How to become accredited
• Types of Accreditation
  • Reference Materials Producers Accreditation
  • Proficiency Testing Scheme Provider Accreditation
  • Laboratory Accreditation
  • Inspection Accreditation
  • OECD Principles of GLP Recognition
  • Medical Imaging Accreditation
  • Construction Materials Testing Accreditation
• Accreditation Publications
• Measurement Uncertainty Training

Types of Accreditation

NATA accredits laboratories against criteria based on the internationally recognised standards ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and ISO 15189. NATA also accredits inspection bodies against ISO/IEC 17020.

Accreditation is available to:

• facilities undertaking any sort of testing, product or material evaluation, calibration or measurement
• private sector and government laboratories
• one-person operations through to large multi-disciplinary organisations
• remote field operations and temporary laboratories
  

NATA currently operates accreditation programs in more than a dozen different fields, including:

• Biological Testing
• Chemical Testing
• Construction Materials Testing
• Forensic Science
• Good Laboratory Practice
  
• Information and Communications Technology
  
• Inspection
• Measurement Science & Technology
  
• Mechanical Testing
• Medical Imaging
• Medical Testing
• Non-destructive Testing
• Plant Health
• Providers of Proficiency testing Schemes
  
• Research and Development
• Reference Material Producers
  
• Veterinary Testing
  

It can also tailor its service to meet the needs of particular organisations. Indeed, NATA has a strong record in developing specialist accreditation programs for particular industry or professional needs.

More information on the process of accreditation and ISO/IEC 17025 can be found in How to become accredited.

Biological Testing

Testing in the food, water and pharmaceutical industries is essential to maintaining preventative health measures.

Biological Testing accreditation gives facilities the assurance they need that their technical processes for such testing meet world-recognised standards.

Chemical Testing

Chemical Testing accreditation is available to any facility that undertakes tests in areas that include metals and ores, cement and concrete, asbestos, fuels and lubricants, surface coatings, plastics, foods, agricultural products, and residues in the environment. Chemical Testing also covers calibration laboratories in the areas of gas analysers for the mining and OH&S industries as well as breathalysers.

Construction Materials Testers

NATA offers a scheme that recognises the competence of those involved in field testing and sampling of construction materials. The Construction Materials Testers Accreditation Scheme provides confidence in the overall process from initial sampling through to final testing in an accredited laboratory. The scheme therefore complements the services of accredited laboratories.

For more details on this program click on NATA's Construction Materials Testers Accreditation Scheme.

 

Forensic Science Module

NATA's Forensic Science module provides laboratories with an assessment that considers sample integrity through chain of custody procedures and court testimony capability. It is ideal for laboratories that are exposed to legal and regulatory processes.

Information and Communications Technology

The Information and Communications Technology field provides accreditation for a diverse range of software and hardware testing in such areas as gaming systems, information security evaluations, and healthcare software.

Inspection

Through its Inspection Accreditation program, NATA provides inspection agencies and their customers with a means of demonstrating their inspection skills and commitment to professional excellence. This program is based on the internationally recognised and accepted standard designed specifically for inspection accreditation, ISO/IEC 17020:1998.

NATA Inspection Accreditation is available to all inspection services including in-house and independent services, and from one-person operations to large-scale inspection bodies.

More information on the process of accreditation and ISO/IEC 17020 can be found in Inspection Accreditation.

Good Laboratory Practice: OECD Principles of GLP Recognition

NATA can inspect any facility undertaking non-clinical health and environmental safety studies for compliance with the OECD Principles of GLP. These studies are undertaken for the purpose of registering or licensing for use:

• pharmaceuticals
• pesticides
• veterinary drug products and similar products; and
  
• industrial chemicals
  

Non-clinical studies may cover:

• physical-chemical testing
• toxicity, mutagenicity, environmental toxicity, bioaccumulation and residues studies
• studies of effects on mesocosms and ecosystems; and
  
• the analytical chemistry associated with such studies.
  

For more information, see OECD Principles of GLP Recognition.

Measurement Science and Technology

NATA accreditation in measurement science and technology caters for laboratories and facilities that calibrate and measure in optical, electromagnetic and other fields. It is ideally suited to facilities which need to ensure their measurement and calibration activities are accurate.

Mechanical Testing

The physical testing of materials and products such as metals, plastics, rubber, textiles, timber, lifting gear, pipes, valves, automotive products are just a few of the areas that comprise Mechanical Testing

Medical Imaging Accreditation

The medical imaging accreditation program was launched in 2004 and is jointly administered by NATA and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).

The RANZCR/NATA program affords accreditation to sites who demonstrate “good practice” in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17025 and the RANZCR Accreditation Standards for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology. Demonstration of compliance is through a peer review process which includes on-site review. The program is open to all types of diagnostic imaging services and covers the modalities of general radiography, ultrasound, mammography, computerised tomography, interventional radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine and bone mineral densitometry.

For further information, see Medical Imaging Accreditation.

Medical Testing

The medical testing accreditation program is administered by NATA in conjunction with the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA).

NATA/RCPA accreditation to Australian Standard 4633 (ISO 15189) is available to laboratories performing tests in various fields of human pathology including anatomical pathology (histology and cytology), chemical pathology, microbiology, haematology, immunohaematology, cytogenetics, molecular biology, immunology and assisted reproductive technologies.

Medicare rebates for pathology tests are only available for tests performed in laboratories holding accreditation in this field.

For further information, see Medical Testing Field Updates or call Medical Testing on 1800 621 666.

Non-Destructive Testing

Non-destructive testing accreditation is available for facilities which examine materials and components in a way which does not change or destroy them. It is used at all stages of plant or equipment construction, operation (condition monitoring) and maintenance. Accreditation in this field ensures a cost-effective operation as well as safety and reliability.  

Plant Health

This accreditation program for laboratories performing plant health diagnostic testing was developed in response to the ongoing need to maintain the quality of plant health diagnostic testing, and reflects the growing international move towards accreditation of such facilities.

Proficiency Testing

NATA has operated an extensive range of proficiency testing programs for its member and applicant laboratories since 1981. Non-member laboratories have also participated in these programs. Since 1 January 2006 the operation of these proficiency testing programs has been transferred into a wholly-owned subsidiary, Proficiency Testing Australia (PTA).
PTA operates proficiency testing programs in the following areas:

1) Testing Programs: PTA offers a wide range of proficiency testing programs covering most areas of testing. Most of PTA's testing programs are continuous with between one and six sub-programs offered each year. Where possible these programs are also offered to overseas participants. National accreditation bodies from other countries often use the results of PTA's proficiency testing programs to monitor the competence of their own accredited laboratories.

2) Measurement Programs: Measurement audits are undertaken by all laboratories seeking, or holding, accreditation for calibration activities that require the assignment of least uncertainties of measurement to their terms of accreditation. For example, laboratories involved in metrology, electrical testing, acoustic and vibration measurement, optics and radiometry, and heat and temperature measurement participate in measurement programs.

3) Regional Programs: NATA has assisted APLAC for many years by co-ordinating regional calibration and testing proficiency programs for laboratories in the Asia-Pacific area. PTA now undertakes this role on behalf of NATA.

Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers

NATA operates an accreditation program for external proficiency testing scheme providers.

Proficiency testing scheme providers are assessed against the relevant guidelines, which are based on ILAC G13:2000 and on the relevant elements of ISO/IEC 17025. Additionally, relevant elements of the ISO 9000 series of standards are included in the guidelines to eliminate the need for separate quality systems certification of a provider.

Full details can be found under Proficiency Testing Scheme Provider Accreditation.

Research and Development accreditation

NATA offers accreditation to facilities involved with research and development. The benefits of accreditation include a potential reduction in client audits, evidence of appropriate procedures and systems in place to satisfy funding body requirements, and greater confidence in results from organisations carrying out sub-contracted research and development activities. 

Reference Materials Producers

NATA operates the world's first accreditation program for producers of reference materials.

NATA evaluates the reference materials producer, and any subcontracting arrangements it uses, against ISO Guide 34:2000 General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Materials Producers, which include the relevant elements of the ISO 9000 series of standards to eliminate the need for separate quality systems certification of a producer.

For further information, see Reference Materials Producers Accreditation.

Veterinary Testing

Veterinary Testing covers facilities that test animals and animal products for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. The fieldcan accommodate government and private facilities, veterinary practices and university veterinary schools.