Accreditation of a testing laboratory means the assessment of conformity of the laboratory’s quality
management system with all requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. The accreditation certificate issued by the national accreditation body is a document confirming the testing laboratory’s competence for tests and sampling in a scope specified in the Accreditation Certificate.
What is the accreditation based on?
- ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
- MPA 10-01-.. Guidelines for accreditation, which are based on the interpretation to the application of standard ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018
Other documents related to the accreditation process
All documents are available on the web site of the Czech Accreditation Institute, public service company (CAI).
Time scale and cost of assessment
The cost of the assessment is paid by the applicant. The rules are set out in documents:
- MPA 10-01-.. Annex 2
What are the other requirements for the accreditation of testing laboratories?
Direct monitoring of an applicant’s activity on site and assessment of tests performed under operation (so called “witness audits”) is an integral part of the assessment of applicants.
Selection of assessed tests performed under operation must be representative enough, based on risks assessed and their smallest number must follow the scope of the required accreditation (see MPA 10-01-.., Annex 1).
Is the accreditation of the laboratories recognized abroad?
CAI is a full-fledged member and represents the Czech Republic in international organizations engaged in the accreditation of testing laboratories:
- European Co-operation for Accreditation – EA
- International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – ILAC
Within these international organisations, national accreditation bodies conclude multilateral agreements on mutual recognition of the results of the accreditation bodies activities; testing laboratories are covered by:
- EA MLA (Multilateral Agreement)
- ILAC MRA (Mutual Recognition Arrangement)
CAI is the signatory of these agreements, in their full scope.
Who can you ask for further information?
Accreditation program managers for testing laboratories:
Nicole Vinklova: 272 096 243, 702 124 745, vinklovan@cai.cz, chemistry, microbiology
Gor Petrosjan: 272 096 215, petrosjang@cai.cz, building industry, physical-mech. tests
FOR THE LIST OF ALL VALID GUIDELINES (MPA), CAI SERVICES PRICE LIST, LIST OF ALL ACCREDITED ENTITIES AND OTHER INFORMATION, SEE www.cai.cz.
