Title: Testing laboratory performance, evaluation and accreditation
Abstract: Laboratory accreditation serves a two-fold purpose in the marketplace.This relatively new technical function can provide increased confidence in the capability and reliability of testing laboratories by customers of their services.The function can also serve as a marketing tool for laboratory managers.In this sense there is an analogy with product certification.Although laboratory accreditation may eventually become a leveling force, much as accreditation of hospitals and academic departments within colleges has become, the enterprising laboratory manager should not regard accreditation as a least common denominator activity at this time.Experience of testing laboratories in several disciplines where accreditation has been available or required are reviewed.Long range roles for the accrediting function are discussed.