July 05, 2012, Eilise Spenceley
Those less familiar with the testing world may question why testing laboratories like Accutek spend so much time and capital on becoming, and staying, accredited. Could it be because clients feel more comfortable when working with an accredited lab? Maybe you want operations to remain consistent throughout your laboratory? Perhaps the international recognition of a specific certification is what you desire? I’d say all of the above, plus some.
Accutek is ISO 17025, NAPCAP, GE, and AWS certified. This saves our clients valuable time in two ways:
1. First, a company can save time on research and due diligence to ensure they are working with a dependable lab that will deliver reliable results. Clients who work with us have confidence in our service knowing that Accutek has been evaluated by an accrediting body.
2. Second, it can save a company time after the testing process has completed because it minimizes time spent justifying their test report is legitimate to a regulatory agency or their client. For instance, a company submitting their dental implants for FDA clearance will more easily convince a reviewer of the validity of their test results when they are submitting a test report provided by an accredited laboratory.
Maciej Jakucki, one of Accutek’s Senior Project Engineers, states that by becoming an accredited lab we are “showing we follow specific standards and procedures that ensure certain levels of quality.” Our goal is to implement a quality system throughout our laboratory that consistently produces valid results. Without this, a company may spend significant time and money pre-qualifying a laboratory. Why not let an accrediting body do this work for you?
Additionally, “ISO 17025” is recognized internationally and is a formal acknowledgement to any company anywhere is the world that a laboratory holds a certain level of competence. This also eliminates the need to have your products retested in multiple countries. Since the quality system is uniform internationally, data produced by an accredited laboratory will be accepted by regulatory agencies and clients all over the world.
There are thousands of testing laboratories in the world, accredited and non-accredited. Next time you’re in need of testing services ask yourself, who would you rather work with?
Kevin Conley
July 06, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Accutek is excited about our newest scope additions, ASTM F2193 Static and Fatigue Bending Strength of Metallic Spinal Screws & ASTM F2267 Load Induced Subsidence of Intervertebral Body Fusion Device Under Static Axial Compression. Great job everyone!