ISO/IEC 17025 (A2LA)
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
Element U.S. Space & Defense holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA at four facilities. The accreditation applies to the tests listed on each facility's scope of accreditation.
What It Means
Element U.S. Space & Defense holds ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA at four facilities: Belcamp, MD; Fullerton, CA; Orlando, FL; and Santa Clarita, CA.
The accreditation applies to the tests listed on each facility's scope of accreditation. Certificates and scopes for each facility are on the Accreditations page.
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[Michelle to confirm: the Accreditations page lists no ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for Rustburg or Camden. What is the current status?]
Common Questions
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What is ISO/IEC 17025?
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard that sets general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation shows that an independent body has assessed a lab against it. Element U.S. Space & Defense holds this accreditation through A2LA at its Belcamp, Fullerton, Orlando and Santa Clarita facilities.
Read the full answer →What is A2LA?
A2LA, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, is an independent, nonprofit accreditation body based in the United States. It assesses laboratories against standards such as ISO/IEC 17025. Element U.S. Space & Defense holds its ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA, and certificates for each facility are on the Accreditations page.
Read the full answer →What is a scope of accreditation?
A scope of accreditation is the document that lists the specific tests and methods a laboratory is accredited to perform. Two accredited labs can have very different scopes. Element U.S. Space & Defense publishes the certificate and scope for each accredited facility on its Accreditations page.
Read the full answer →Which Element U.S. Space & Defense facilities hold ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?
The Accreditations page lists ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA for Belcamp, MD; Fullerton, CA; Orlando, FL; and Santa Clarita, CA. If your program runs at another Element U.S. Space & Defense site, contact the team to confirm its current accreditation status before you finalize a test plan.
Read the full answer →Is every test at an accredited lab covered by the accreditation?
Not automatically. Accreditation applies to the tests on a facility's scope, so a lab can perform work that sits outside it. Compare your test method against the current scope, or ask Element U.S. Space & Defense to confirm it, particularly when your contract requires accredited results.
Read the full answer →What is the difference between ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001?
ISO 9001 addresses quality management systems for organizations in general. ISO/IEC 17025 applies specifically to laboratories and addresses technical competence for defined tests and calibrations, along with impartiality and consistent operation. A quality certificate alone does not show the same thing, so check a lab's scope of accreditation.
Read the full answer →What is the difference between accredited and certified?
Accreditation is formal recognition by an authoritative body that a lab is competent to perform specific tasks. Certification usually refers to a product, person or management system meeting stated requirements. Element U.S. Space & Defense laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for the tests on each facility's scope.
Read the full answer →What certifications should a test lab have for defense work?
It depends on the contract, but buyers commonly check ISO/IEC 17025 scope for the required methods, plus cybersecurity status if controlled information is involved. Some programs add specific approvals. Element U.S. Space & Defense publishes its credentials, including ISO/IEC 17025 and CMMC Level 2, so buyers can compare them against their requirements.
Read the full answer →Are results from an accredited lab accepted internationally?
International mutual recognition arrangements among accreditation bodies support acceptance of accredited results across participating countries. Acceptance still rests with your customer or regulator, so confirm their requirements up front. Element U.S. Space & Defense can provide the certificate and scope for the facility performing your test.
Read the full answer →How can I verify an accreditation?
Review the certificate and scope for the specific facility, and check that the test method you need is listed. Element U.S. Space & Defense links these documents from its Accreditations page, and A2LA maintains a directory of accredited organizations you can use to confirm a lab's status independently.
Read the full answer →Further Reading
More from Element U.S. Space & Defense on this topic.
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