John Fessler wrote: > > Beginning in July, 1997, A2LA is requiring that accredited test labs must use > an accredited calibration lab for instrumentation. I believe NVLAP has a > similar requirement. Only labs accredited by A2LA, NVLAP, or A2LA > MOU partners will be approved. We have spoken with several major equipment > vendors and none of them are accredited and in fact have stated they have no > plans to become accredited because no customers are asking for this. > > Can anyone provide me with any names of accredited equipment calibration labs > in the US? >
I find it incredible that you have A2LA (or NVLAP) registration without already having had your equipment calibrated by a NIST or similar calibration facility. If a test equipment manufacturer's "wet finger" cal report is good enough, I'd have to question the integrity of any test report when making a statement of compliance, particularly when the measurement goes close to the limit, or when a tight measurement uncertainty is quoted. It shows the disparity between accredited labs. Traceable cal reports are a pre-requisite for NATA registration, and as a NATA lab, we've had to shell out 10's of $1000,'s over the years for National Standard traceable calibration reports, with cal intervals no more than 12 months. The bottom line is cost & competitiveness. How can an accredited lab compete equally with another without the same accreditation requirements, particularly as we are currently drunk with the "spirit" of mutual recognition between lab accreditation bodies. How level is the playing field ? Regards.
