FQS Signs APLAC MRA for Inspection
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board d/b/a ACLASS and FQS
has signed the Asia-Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(APLAC) mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) for inspection. The
signing ceremony took place in conjunction with the 18th APLAC
General Assembly and Technical Meetings held in Sydney, Australia.
By signing the APLAC MRA for inspection, ACLASS and FQS also become
signatories of the International Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation MRA.
A regional cooperation of bodies that recognize laboratories,
inspection bodies, and reference material producers, APLAC promotes
international acceptance of endorsed test, calibration, and
inspection reports and other documents issued by laboratories and
inspection bodies accredited by signatories to the APLAC MRA.
In addition to being approved to sign the MRA for inspection,
ACLASS and FQS are MRA signatories for calibration and testing, and
ACLASS is an MRA signatory for reference material producers.
"Becoming an APLAC MRA signatory for inspection indicates ACLASS
and FQS have demonstrated compliance with ISO/IEC 17011, and the
facilities ACLASS and FQS have accredited are in compliance with
ISO/IEC 17020," Keith Greenaway, ACLASS and FQS Vice President,
said. "By harmonizing accreditation practices around the world, the
APLAC MRA forms a regional network of accredited laboratories and
inspection bodies to facilitate the acceptance of test,
calibration, and inspection reports, which in turn facilitates
global trade."
Approval to sign the APLAC MRAs is granted only after a rigorous
peer evaluation, during which the evaluators conduct an in-depth
examination of organizational processes and documentation. Peer
evaluators also witness the accreditation body's personnel as they
conduct assessments of facilities seeking accreditation to confirm
that they operate according to the requirements of international
standards. Peer evaluations are conducted every four years after
MRA signatory status is attained.
Keith Greenaway (center), signed the APLAC MRA for
inspection on behalf of FQS and ACLASS.
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