International Activites
INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
CALA is a full signatory member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). This recognition is gained through a process that includes an on-site evaluation by an international team, and observations of several CALA assessment teams. It provides third-arty attestation that CALA’s accreditation program conforms to ISO/IEC 17011 and that CALA accreditation laboratories conform to ISO/IEC 17025.
Because CALA is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) (.pdf) and the APLAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) (.pdf), CALA accredited laboratories benefit because
- This is a specified requirement by some Canadian regulators, and
- a CALA accreditation will be recognized by other ILAC and APLAC signatories, hence the MRA will commercial benefits for some accredited laboratories.
In additional to its MRA obligations, CALA will ensure that member needs and desires are made known to the appropriate international organizations. For example, the international standards and guidelines are being revised. Member comments on committee drafts are welcome.
CALA Representatives
Should you have any questions regarding our international activities, please contact:
ILAC Representative: Charlie Brimley, CALA President & CEO
APLAC Representative: Colleen Cotter, CALA Accreditation Manager
ILAC and APLAC News
ILAC News - http://www.ilac.org/ILAC%20News.html
APLAC News Notes - http://www.aplac.org/aplacnewsnotes/aplacnewsnotes.htm