What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the authoritative formal recognition that a body or person is competent to carry out specific tasks. It differs from Certification in that certification does not always place the same emphasis on the determination of competence.

Many industries are covered by accreditation programs. In Australia, the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) accredits laboratories and related services. The accreditation and recognition programs offered by NATA cover a broad range of technical organisations, including:

• Laboratories;

• Reference Material Producers;

• Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers;

• Inspection bodies; and

• Organisations conducting studies in compliance with the OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice.

At MAS Management Consultancy Services, we are able to assist you with attaining your accreditation goals, regardless of the industry in which you operate. This includes services in the areas of management system development and maintenance, internal auditing and training. We can also help you to develop management systems which are integrated with your existing business systems. We have extensive experience working within the accreditation industry and have an excellent understanding of the accreditation process and the requirements for accreditation.

Laboratory Accreditation

Laboratories may seek accreditation against ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The current edition of the standard was published in May 2005.

The scope of NATA’s accreditation program covers the following areas:

With our extensive experience in the laboratory accreditation field, we offer outstanding service in all aspects of the accreditation process, including quality management system development and maintenance, internal auditing, management review, gap analysis, training and project management. Our expertise in continuous improvement and innovative, practical and cost effective approach can help to lead your organisation towards meeting its strategic goals, whether they are gaining or maintaining your laboratory accreditation.

Reference Material Producers Accreditation

Reference Material Producers may seek accreditation against ISO Guide 34 General requirements for the competence of reference material producers. NATA’s accreditation program is available to both producers of reference materials and certified reference materials.

At MAS Management Consultancy Services, our staff have exceptional knowledge of the Requirements for accreditation, having being involved in the development of these Requirements and the supporting interpretation guides used in the accreditation process.

Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers Accreditation

Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers may seek accreditation against ILAC Guide 13 Guidelines for the Requirements for the Competence of Providers of Proficiency Testing Schemes and/ or ISO Guide 43 Proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons -- Part 1: Development and operation of proficiency testing schemes.

At MAS Management Consultancy Services, our staff have exceptional knowledge of the Requirements for accreditation, having being involved in the development of the ILAC Guide and the supporting interpretation guides used in the accreditation process.

Inspection Accreditation

Inspection accreditation is the formal recognition of the competence of an inspection body and its inspectors to undertake a specific scope of activities. The standard used in the assessment of inspection bodies is ISO/IEC 17020 General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection. The standard covers both management systems and technical elements of inspection organizations.

With our extensive experience in the accreditation industry, MAS Management Consultancy Services can assist inspection bodies to achieve their accreditation goals with a minimum of fuss and expenditure.

Recognition of compliance with OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice

The OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) outline a management system for undertaking non-clinical health and environmental safety studies. Organisations conducting such studies can seek formal recognition of their compliance with these Principles. Clinical studies should be conducted using the GCP (Good Clinical Practice) guidelines.

Organisations can make self-declarations of compliance with the GLP Principles. However, in Australia, the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) is the organisation responsible for monitoring compliance with these Principles. Formal recognition of compliance with the Principles is available through NATA.

With our extensive experience in the accreditation industry, and with specific experience in the area of GLP, MAS Management Consultancy Services can assist organisations wishing to develop and implement systems that comply with the GLP Principles with a minimum of fuss and expenditure. We are also able to assist facilities in achieving formal recognition of compliance with these Principles and can be contracted to provide independent quality assurance services necessary for GLP studies.

Accreditation links