Laboratory Accreditation: Can You Afford Not To?

Assure Lab Quality and Performance with Accreditation

Some of the biggest management challenges faced by construction materials testing laboratories center around developing their proficiency and maintaining their reputation. In the race to be selected for a place at the table of important projects, any lab overshadowed by doubt about its experience or proficiency is going to have a tough time making it to the starting gate.

Proving proficiency builds trust, and trust builds reputations. A laboratory that proactively invites inspection by a reliable third party is declaring the confidence it has in its knowledge and experience, as well as its willingness to respond to constructive criticism.

A Decision to Move Forward

There are many paths forward for improving accountability for your lab. It’s our aim in this article to present some options to help you decide what is best for your organization.

Accreditation demonstrates competence and credibility, improves competitive position, and reduces risk and liability. A reliable and reputable testing lab is favored by architects, engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure substandard materials or practices do not find their way into a construction project.

Building a Quality Management System

A central theme of all accreditation programs is adherence to a quality management system (QMS) and associated quality manual developed by the testing laboratory itself. A QMS and quality manual are fundamental requirements of any accreditation program and a tremendous benefit to any lab regardless of accreditation status.

The QMS manual documents internal requirements for the qualifications, knowledge, and experience of staff, creation and retention of equipment calibration and maintenance records, and a self-developed process for internal audit and review. The focus of the QMS is the continual improvement of competence and validation of test results. In most cases, participation in a proficiency sample program (PSP) is required for initial and continued compliance.

Development and documentation of a QMS calls for involvement at all executive and management levels. Along with other required information, the system includes:

• Name of the company or organization, ownership structure, and names and qualifications of key personnel
• Relevant policies, objectives, and commitments to good practices
• Scope of tests or inspections
• References to specific test or inspection standards
• Procedures for control and maintenance of documentation
• Qualifications held by and required for technical personnel
• Procedures for calibration of equipment and traceability of measurements
• Internal quality control measures
• Procedures for internal and external audits

ASTM E329, in the section Quality System, Audit and Review, spells out the details of a QMS and accompanying quality manual. This section is a valuable guide to creation and content.

Accreditation Standards: Which Path is Right for Your Lab?

Different accreditation standards reflect the focus and goals of a laboratory’s operations. These guides and specifications provide a frame of reference for assembling the components of a workable quality system and offer a path to third-party accreditation.

There are multiple roads to accreditation, and nothing prevents a lab from pursuing more than one of them. The goals and requirements of these standards are similar, and some aspects are universally recognized. Four major accreditation standards are commonly used:

Accreditation Standards

AASHTO R 18, Standard Practice for Establishing and Implementing a Quality Management System for Construction Materials Testing Laboratories, is ideal for laboratories involved in transportation infrastructure projects with state DOTs or the FHWA.

R 18 outlines the requirements for a comprehensive quality management system, which includes a management structure, documentation, training, equipment calibration, and proficiency testing. The standard covers testing for soils, concrete, aggregates, asphalt, and more.

ASTM E329, Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in Construction Inspection, Testing, or Special Inspection, outlines the general requirements for accrediting laboratories that perform laboratory testing, as well as on-site construction inspections, for projects in the public or private sectors. Participation in a proficiency testing program may be required for some construction material accreditations.

E329 provides an infrastructure of quality standards for any construction materials testing lab. The specification is supplemented with specific complementary ASTM standards for the particular materials being tested. For example, a laboratory seeking accreditation for testing concrete and aggregates must be compliant with both E329 and C1077. If they also wish to be accredited for testing soil and rock in engineering applications, they need to demonstrate additional compliance with ASTM D3740. (See below for material-specific standards often used.)

ISO/IEC 17025, General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, is best suited for labs operating in multiple disciplines or those that need to be recognized in multiple countries. This specification serves as the basis for most laboratory accreditation programs and is frequently referenced by other standards.

ISO/IEC 17020 Requirements for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection sets standards for agencies that perform inspections and verifications of materials. The standard was reviewed and confirmed in 2017, but a new version is currently under development.

This standard is relevant for testing agencies that perform field inspections, special inspections, or compliance verification (e.g., structural steel erection, concrete placement, or soil compaction). It is cited as a reference under ASTM E 329.

Material-Specific Standards

These standards can stand on their own as references for an accreditation agency or work in conjunction with accreditation standards, such as ASTM E329. They provide details unique to particular types of construction materials. Each standard outlines the minimum requirements for laboratory personnel, specific testing equipment, and provides guidance on establishing and maintaining a quality system.

• ASTM C1077 Standard Practice for Agencies Testing Concrete and Concrete Aggregates for Use in Construction and Criteria for Testing Agency Evaluation
• ASTM C1093 Practice for Accreditation of Testing Agencies for Masonry
• ASTM D3666 Standard Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM E543 Specification for Agencies Performing Nondestructive Testing

Accreditation Agencies

These organizations provide third-party inspections and assessments for construction materials testing laboratories. Most laboratory accreditation programs either require or strongly recommend participation in proficiency testing as part of a quality management system.

All of these agencies take their work seriously and adhere strictly to the letter of the standards under which they operate. Still, they have no interest in unduly penalizing the organizations they inspect and will work diligently with labs to resolve any nonconformities found in their assessments. Details of requirements and services offered vary considerably among these agencies. For complete information, it is best to visit their respective websites.

AASHTO re:source (formerly AMRL) offers comprehensive services for the accreditation of construction materials testing laboratories based on their R 18 standard practice for the implementation of a quality management system. The AASHTO Accreditation Program is the most used and widely accepted accreditation program for construction material laboratories in the US.

AASHTO offers a range of services to support the R 18 standard:

• On-site inspections are performed through their Laboratory Assessment Program (LAP)
• Statistical uniformity assessment is conducted through the Proficiency Sample Program (PSP)
• Accreditation is managed through their AASHTO Accreditation Program (AAP)

Assessments for asphalt, aggregate, soils, and other material testing operations can be conducted directly by AASHTO. They also recognize on-site inspections by the Cement/Concrete Reference Laboratory (CCRL) for laboratories performing tests on cement, concrete, masonry, and rebar.

A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) oversees accreditation for a wide range of testing laboratories, including chemical, biological, environmental, electrical, and construction materials. Their assessments follow ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines, with options for evaluation based on ASTM E329 and other material-specific standards related to concrete, asphalt, soils, aggregates, masonry, steel, roofing, and nondestructive testing.

ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) is an accreditation body operating under the American National Standards Institute. Their assessments are based on ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, ASTM E329, and applicable industry standards. Accreditation by ANAB meets the requirements of the Federal Highway Administration.

CCRL (Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory) is a division of ASTM and inspects over 1100 laboratories in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its scope of inspection includes cement, concrete, aggregate, steel reinforcing bars, pozzolan, and masonry materials. CCRL does not offer accreditations; however, findings from their inspections can be used by accreditation agencies toward the completion of accreditation.

CCRL also sponsors proficiency sample programs for interlaboratory testing of diverse cement, concrete, masonry, aggregate, and reinforcing materials. Comparison of test results is often a part of third-party assessments for accreditation.

CMEC (Construction Materials Engineering Council) offers laboratory and inspection agency accreditation in accordance with AASHTO R18, ASTM E329, ISO/IEC 17020, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, and supplies proficiency samples for testing concrete, aggregates, soils, masonry blocks, and hot-mix asphalt. They also conduct workshops and examinations for technician certifications in accordance with American Concrete Institute (ACI) and Portland Cement Institute (PCI) standards. CMEC accreditations are recognized by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

IAS (International Accreditation Service) evaluates inspection and materials testing agencies, with requirements aligned to ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, and ASTM E329. Assessments can include ASTM, AASHTO, British, EN, and other international standards.

NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program) is sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and bases its accreditation requirements on ISO/IEC 17025. The handbook for their Construction Material Testing laboratory accreditation program states that, “Accreditation is available for standard test methods in the areas of admixtures, aggregates, cement, concrete, geotextiles, road and paving materials, soil and rock, steel materials, and other areas as deemed necessary.”

Each lab conducts proficiency sample programs through AASHTO and CCRL.

DOTs. In addition to these established accreditation agencies, many state departments of transportation operate their own qualification programs, often based on compliance with AASHTO R 18.

Preparing for Accreditation

Preparing a testing lab for accreditation requires a significant commitment of time, effort, and personnel. The specific pathways and goals for accreditation must be decided, ensuring that they align with the QMS and quality manual, and an accreditation agency must be selected. Details such as equipment calibration, audits of practices and procedures, and documentation of personnel qualifications will need to be reviewed and updated.

It is the responsibility of the testing lab to specify the limits of the accreditation they are applying for. A lab that tests concrete, masonry units, asphalt, aggregates, and soils can request an assessment for their entire operation or for just one or two aspects, such as concrete or soils.

Accreditation agencies provide helpful preparation information on their websites, and their staff experts typically respond promptly to emailed inquiries. Some offer generic checklists for preparation, including submittals for required documentation.

Most inspection and assessment agencies follow a similar process to complete the accreditation.

• An application for accreditation is submitted, and you will be contacted to discuss details of the process and schedule an on-site assessment.
• Review of the QMS manual, proficiency sample program, and other submittals may be initiated before or concurrently with the on-site assessment.
• The on-site assessors will determine the laboratory’s compliance with their internally created QMS criteria, inspect test apparatus, and observe test procedures performed by lab personnel.
• After the assessment, the assessor will meet a manager or supervisor to discuss their findings in a preliminary report that outlines any nonconformities (if found).
• A final report will be released later, and the laboratory must document the actions taken to correct the nonconformities.
• If participation in a proficiency sample program is required, the resulting data must be submitted to the accreditation agency for review and acceptance.
• Once it is confirmed that all nonconformities have been resolved and the PSP data is acceptable, accreditation will be granted by the accreditation agency.

Why Accreditation?

While it is difficult to determine an accurate percentage of construction materials testing laboratories that are accredited, we know the number is significant. If your organization is thinking about accreditation, there are some points to consider:

Accreditation has value

Accreditation provides stakeholders with an added level of assurance that the methods and materials used to complete their project meet industry standards and practices.

Accreditation may be mandated

Projects funded by institutions, corporations, or state and federal tax dollars often require accredited agencies to perform laboratory testing and construction inspections. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires accreditation for its transportation projects, as do many state DOTs.

Accreditation is a Rigorous and Sustained Process

Preparation for accreditation assessment can easily take on a life of its own. Exhaustive internal reviews of the organization, its people, facilities, equipment, and most of all, the QMS are needed before an assessment is even requested. Typically, once accreditation has been granted, it can only be sustained through continued inspections and participation in a proficiency sample program.

Laboratory Accreditation Agencies

• AASHTO re:source
• A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation)
• ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board)
• CCRL (Cement and Concrete Reference Laboratory)
• CMEC (Construction Materials Engineering Council)
• IAS (International Accreditation Service)
• NVLAP (National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program)