Accreditation

What is Accreditation?

NATA accreditation provides a means of determining, recognising and promoting the competence of facilities to perform specific types of testing, measurement, inspection and calibration.

Testing facilities accredited by NATA become members of the Association and are entitled to further benefits such as access to ongoing technical advice, on-line resources, and discounts on various training courses and publications.

What are the benefits of Accreditation?

A Benchmark for Performance

NATA accreditation benefits testing and inspection facilities by allowing them to determine whether they are performing their work correctly and to appropriate standards, and provides them with a benchmark for maintaining that competence. Many such facilities operate in isolation to their peers, and rarely, if ever, receive any independent technical evaluation as a measure of their performance. A regular NATA audit checks all aspects of a facility's operations related to consistently producing accurate and dependable data. Areas for improvement are identified and discussed, and a detailed report provided at the end of each visit. Where necessary, follow-up action is monitored by NATA so the facility is confident that it has taken the appropriate corrective action.

In addition to commercial testing and calibration services, many manufacturing organisations use NATA accreditation to ensure the testing of their products by their own in-house laboratories is being done correctly.

A Marketing Advantage

A Marketing AdvantageAccreditation is an effective marketing tool for testing, calibration and inspection organisations.

NATA accreditation can be a passport to submit tenders to contractors that require independently verified facilities, especially for government contracts.

Many industries, such as the construction materials industry, routinely specify NATA accreditation for suppliers of testing services. In the medical area, accreditation is required by the Commonwealth Government for all pathology facilities. Other industrial contractors who want to minimise their risks also specify testing to be performed by NATA accredited laboratories.

In a broader context, the Commonwealth Government requires the use of NATA accredited facilities to the maximum extent possible to satisfy its testing needs, and has encouraged State governments and other instrumentalities to do likewise. All Commonwealth Government laboratories are required, under a Memorandum of Understanding between NATA and the Australian Government, to obtain and maintain NATA accreditation.

A Recognition of Testing Competence

A Recognition of Testing Competence NATA accreditation provides formal recognition to competent testing facilities, thus providing a ready means for customers to identify and select reliable testing, inspection, measurement and calibration services. To maintain this recognition, laboratories are re-evaluated periodically by NATA to ensure their continued compliance with requirements, and to check that their standard of operation is being maintained. The laboratory may also be required to participate in relevant proficiency testing programs between reassessments, as a further demonstration of technical competence. If a laboratory fails to consistently meet all of NATA's requirements, their accreditation is suspended or revoked.

NATA accredited testing facilities are able to advertise their accreditation on their test certificates and in general advertising, especially through the use of the well-known NATA logo, Since such accreditation is highly regarded both nationally and internationally as a reliable indicator of technical competence, use of the NATA logo and use of a NATA endorsement on test certificates tells prospective and current clients that the laboratory has been measured and approved against best international practice. Faced with alternative suppliers of testing and calibration services, why wouldn't a supplier choose one which offers them this assurance?

NATA also publishes an internet directory of its accredited laboratories, which is updated on a daily basis and includes the laboratories' contact details plus information on their testing capabilities. If necessary, clients can contact NATA and find out whether there are any accredited laboratories who can perform the tests or calibrations they require. Clients can also check with the laboratory as to what specific tests, inspections or measurements they are accredited for, and for what ranges or uncertainties.

View How to become accredited.