ANAB Accreditation

ANAB accreditation is a non-negotiable indicator of quality and integrity. ANAB accreditation is only awarded to laboratories with world-class quality management systems, precisely calibrated test equipment, and excellent staff. And because ANAB accreditation is considered credible on a global scale, companies with international operations can rely on ANAB accredited laboratories to deliver the accurate, consistent testing data they need to engage in international trade.

What is the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)?

The ANSI National Accreditation Board, or ANAB, is the largest accreditation body in North America and provides accreditation services, training, and reference materials in over 75 countries worldwide. ANAB works with both public- and private-sector companies and organizations in a wide variety of industries. ANAB services include laboratory accreditations, management systems accreditations, proficiency testing, and more.

ANAB is a wholly owned subsidiary of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a non-profit organization founded in 1918. ANSI plays a role in virtually every industry, supporting the development of voluntary consensus standards that meet the needs and expectations of millions of experienced professionals. In fact, over 90% of global trade is impacted in some way by voluntary consensus standards and other regulations, many of which were developed with support from ANSI.

ANAB Laboratory Accreditation

ANAB is an accrediting body that audits a laboratory to determine if they meet the standards of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and other standards. Another popular accrediting body is A2LA. It’s not just a simple checkbox exercise. The accreditation process is incredibly thorough to ensure that every element of a lab’s quality management systems supports the delivery of accurate, consistent testing data. ANAB laboratory accreditation includes:

• An application to request accreditation.
• An in-depth document review to assess the lab’s quality management systems. The document review may include standard operating procedures (SOPs), instruction manuals, equipment maintenance and calibration records, lab standards and policies, reporting templates, and even job descriptions.
• A virtual or on-site visit. This might include thorough inspection of lab facilities and testing equipment, interviews with lab staff, and more.
• Corrective action, if necessary. In some cases, the only necessary changes are very manageable and can be implemented easily. Other situations might require more involved change management and a longer timeline.

Laboratories that earn ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation through ANAB must continue to adhere to ANAB standards even after the accreditation process is complete.

ISO/IEC 17025

ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation is recognizable on a global scale as a meaningful, world-class signifier of a lab’s credibility. The primary purpose of the ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation process is to assess the lab’s quality management systems and ability to produce highly accurate data on a consistent basis. ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is valuable for independent testing laboratories, like ACE Laboratories, as well as universities, research centers, and independent companies.

ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation ensures that, even in differing industries, laboratories are held to the same quality standards. Testing reports and certificates from ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories are widely accepted without any need for extra, corroborative testing. The universal nature of ISO/IEC accreditation allows for seamless collaboration between organizations in different industries and even different countries. With ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, international trade is smoother, and companies with an international footprint can do business better.

Lab Training

In addition to accreditation services, ANAB also offers a variety of training programs to support continuing education and help industry professionals keep up with current trends and developments in their industries. ANAB trainings can also teach specific laboratory skills or deliver in-depth explorations of specialty topics. These trainings are highly valuable for laboratory professionals and technicians who are in the early stages of their careers. Experienced professionals also appreciate ANAB trainings as an opportunity to refresh their expertise or pick up some new skills.

The team at ACE Laboratories attends ANAB trainings on a regular basis. We prioritize educational opportunities that support our mission to provide the best possible service to our customers. Some of the trainings we’ve attended include:

• Operations training for certain pieces of testing equipment in our rubber testing laboratory.
• Enrichment training related to our ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation.
• Continuing education modules about quality management systems and laboratory procedures that are important to our clients in the rubber industry.

Why does accreditation through ANAB matter?

Some companies and industries rely on independent laboratories to deliver the testing data they need for certification and product development. In some cases, it can be challenging to determine which laboratories can be trusted to deliver consistent, accurate testing data. ANAB laboratory accreditation is only awarded to laboratories that pass a rigorous assessment process that demands significant time, energy, and care. When you hire an ANAB accredited laboratory, you can trust that lab to adhere to strict quality standards and deliver highly accurate, consistent data.

Choosing an ANAB accredited lab ensures much more than just high-quality testing data. ANAB is recognized and respected in over 75 countries worldwide as a global leader in accreditation services. Essential industries all around the world trust the ANAB laboratory accreditation process to determine whether a laboratory operates with integrity and provides accurate, consistent testing data. Testing data, certificates, and reports from an ANAB accredited lab are trusted and accepted on a global scale, which means working with an ANAB accredited lab can improve your international business dealings.

ACE is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited independent laboratory.

ACE Laboratories is proud to have earned a coveted ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation from ANAB. Our team is dedicated to meeting and exceeding ANAB’s high expectations for quality and operations, so we can deliver precise, consistent testing data to our customers. Whether it’s a standardized industry protocol or a custom testing program, our team brings the same commitment to quality and integrity to every project. And with our mastery of laboratory best practices and efficient operations, we’re proud to deliver the shortest lead times in the industry.

If you’re ready to get started or simply want to discuss your options, get in touch and ask us a question.