Added value of harmonization and consistency of laboratories’ accreditation to the development of the global market

Authors

  • Alvaro Ribeiro National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - Portugal
  • Jeff Gust Fluke
  • Antonio Vilhena National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - Portugal http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7169-9910
  • John Wilson National Laboratory Association - South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v9i1.757

Abstract

Laboratories are the largest group of stakeholders of the International Organization for Laboratory Accreditation (ILAC). The impact of laboratory activities as independent entities that ensure the safety and quality of products and services is growing and becoming a key issue in many fields. New challenges of globalisation, international trade, technological developments, and increasing expectations of citizens and consumers require a robust implementation of accreditation to promote the fair competition and sustainability of laboratories. For this purpose, the harmonization and consistency of accreditation is a major task that can be achieved through the cooperation of all stakeholders. The ILAC Laboratory Committee has conducted a survey to evaluate the present state of harmonization of accreditation activities. The main results are presented in this paper, and some recommendations for future activity are given at the end.

Author Biographies

Alvaro Ribeiro, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - Portugal

Scientific Instrumention Centre, Research Officer

Jeff Gust, Fluke

Chief Corporate Metrologist for Fluke Calibration

Antonio Vilhena, National Laboratory for Civil Engineering - Portugal

Buildings Department, Research Officer

John Wilson, National Laboratory Association - South Africa

Vice Chairman of the National Laboratory Association - South Africa

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Published

2020-03-30

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Research Papers

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