LABORATORY ACCREDITATION ACTIVITIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Maureen A Breitenberg

1/01/2005
(Original Publish Date: 1991)

This paper, another in a series, which includes NBSIR 87-3576, The ABC's of Standards-Related Activities in the United States, and NBSIR 88-3821, The ABC's of Certification Activities in the United States, is designed to provide information on laboratory accreditation to readers not entirely familiar with this topic. This report highlights some important aspects on the topic, furnishes information necessary to make informed decisions on the selection and use of laboratories, and serves as background for using other available documents and services. Readers interested in this area may also wish to review NIST SP 808, Directory of Federal Government Laboratory Accreditation/Designation Programs, which provides updated information on federal government laboratory accreditation and similar type programs conducted by the federal government. Companion volumes on state and local government and private sector laboratory accreditation programs are currently in preparation.