AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC Signs Inter American Accreditation Cooperation Multilateral Agreement For Testing

Fairfax, VA - The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC is pleased to announce that it signed the Inter American Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) Multilateral Arrangement (MLA) at signing ceremony that took place on August 27 in Rio de Javier, Brazil.

A regional cooperation that recognizes organizations that accredit laboratories, inspection bodies, and reference material producers, IAAC promotes international acceptance of endorsed test, calibration, and inspection reports and other documents issued by laboratories that sign the IAAC MLA. This MLA signatory status was granted following a comprehensive joint evaluation of AIHA-LAP, LLC that was conducted by international peers from IAAC and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

Since AIHA LAP, LLC is also an associate member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), it will be signatory of the ILAC Multilateral Recognition Arrangement as well. That MRA document is expected to be signed in approximately 10 days. Accreditation activities covered under these newly-signed MRAs include the AIHA-LAP, LLC's legacy industrial hygiene, environmental microbiology, environmental lead, and food programs.

"We are proud to have reached this milestone of international recognition – a goal that we have worked hard to achieve for the past several years. This recognition clearly adds value to laboratories accredited by AIHA-LAP since data generated from our accredited laboratories can now be accepted worldwide," said Cheryl O. Morton, director of AIHA LAP, LLC. Peter J. O'Neil, AIHA Executive Director added, "This recognition will lead to even more confidence in AIHA accreditation and allow our laboratories to become part of the global accreditation system."

With the signing of the IAAC Arrangement and the ILAC MRA, AIHA LAP, LLC will work cooperatively with other accreditation bodies around the world to provide value to the AIHA-accredited laboratories and their customers, ensuring that accredited certificates are recognized nationally and internationally.

For more information about AIHA LAP, LLC, visit www.aihaccreditedlabs.com. For more information on APLAC, visit www.iaac.org/mx.

SOURCE: The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)