The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued draft guidance on data packages that addressed its preference to have food tested by laboratories accredited by an ILAC MRA signatory accreditation body to assure data credibility in 2008.

The Food Safety Modernization Act, enacted on Jan. 4, 2011, gives a statutory mandate to the FDA for recognition of laboratory accreditation associated with the testing of food. FDA is developing regulations to implement this provision.

The Food Safety Modernization Act calls for laboratory accreditation with FDA appearing to lean toward using the ILAC MRA to recognise accreditation bodies. The FDA also supports US state public health laboratories to get accredited by ILAC MRA signatories by August 2017.

The ENERGY STAR and WaterSense programs include requirements that test data from third-party laboratories come from labs accredited by signatories to the ILAC MRA. Both programs are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, but participation is voluntary rather than mandatory. EPA cites these international arrangements to provide greater assurance to consumers that products carrying the ENERGY STAR and WaterSense labels meet strict program requirements.

Further information:

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/downloads/mou/Criteria_Accreditation_Bodies_Labs.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/watersense/docs/revised-cert-system_meeting-summary080111_508.pdf

In addition, there is a proposed rule to control formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products to require test results from a laboratory accredited by an ILAC MRA signatory accreditation body.

“We didn’t have to develop and implement our own set of rules. Any kind of agency-specific rule creates costs or hassles for industry, and that was something we really wanted to avoid. We currently certify products in 65 categories, many of which are certified and tested overseas. Referencing the ILAC MRA took the EPA off the hook for developing a lot of criteria for labs or conducting our own lab oversight. And, by working with only ILAC signatories, we have the confidence that the labs have been appropriately assessed. We now recognize 27 ILAC-signatory accreditation bodies around the world.”

Eamon Monaghan, Program Integrity Lead, ENERGYSTAR

China has mandated (in-country) electro-magnetic compatibility testing for Class II and III medical devices. As the Chinese testing standard is identical to IEC 60601-1-2 (2004), China is able to accept test reports from overseas laboratories accredited by accreditation bodies that are members of ILAC (i.e. signatories to the ILAC MRA), as an alternative to in-country testing by a Chinese laboratory.

The theme for World Metrology Day, 20 May 2014, is: Measurements and the global energy challenge.

The synergy of the energy theme for World Accreditation Day and World Metrology Day for 2014 highlights the importance of this topic and the liaison activities between ILAC, BIPM and OIML.

A factsheet: Specifying accreditation in Regulation is now available.

This fact sheet sets out how to specify accredited laboratory and inspection body services to ensure the provision of reliable data and reports from competent facilities. It is available for distribution to regulators and specifiers to assist then in drafting regulations and specifications reliant on calibration, testing and inspection services

June 9th, 2014 will mark World Accreditation Day. The focus this year is on the role accreditation plays in providing confidence in the provision of energy.

The day will be celebrated across the world. A joint statement from the Chairs of ILAC and IAF, as well as promotional materials, are available from World Acreditation 2014.

ILAC introduced an application fee on 1 January 2014. This AUD500.00 fee is applicable for all applications for membership received in accordance with ILAC Resolution GA 17.12

ILAC Resolution GA 17.12 is available from Resolutions of the Seventeenth ILAC General Assembly, 25 October 2013 (302.6 KB | 30.10.13)

This annual report is now available.

The Invalid download ID. provides information on the activities carried out as part of the peer evaluation process in 2012 to ensure that regulators and consumers of laboratory and inspection data are able to maintain confidence in the results produced under the ILAC MRA.

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This brochure describes the role of accreditation in supporting trade.

OAA Signatory Status Extended

The Signatory status of Organismo Argentino de Acreditación (OAA) to the ILAC MRA has been extended to include Inspection.