Testing of crash mitigation equipment and devices need to be tested in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) specifications by a laboratory accredited by an ILAC MRA signatory accreditation body.

The FHWA determined that using accredited laboratories will improve the agency’s ability to trust that crash test laboratories are qualified to conduct and evaluate tests intended to determine the crashworthiness of roadside safety features. FHWA also determined that laboratory accreditation is widely recognised as a reliable indicator of technical competence.

Further information available at http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/policy_guide/road_hardware/

“Even though being part of the MRA has had no impact on the work of the agency, the overall requirement for crash tests to be conducted by accredited laboratories has improved our confidence in the results received.”

Nicolas Armitovich, FHWA highway engineer