A2LA - Sending testing to a non-accredited lab if customer doesn't require A2LA?

[Laura M]

A2LA

Anyone have input for me on this email I received? This is within a QS9000 registered company. (Down in your neck of the woods, Marc)

My lab is A2LA accredited. We send out our
instruments that need to be calibrated, or our standards that we use for in
house calibration, to A2LA accredited labs. However, if we have testing that
we cannot do, whether due to not having the equipment or due to overflow, can we
send that to a non A2LA accredited lab, as long as it is documented and our
customer does not require it to be done by an A2LA lab?

 

[Al Dyer]

Laura,

I guess I'll start the ball rolling as I have been trying to decide how to respond.

They are QS-9000 registered?

An A2LA lab sends out its gages to an A2LA lab to be Calibrated?

When they have overflow they want to send their gages to a non A2LA lab because they write it in their "procedure"?

Please tell me I am missing something, I'm surely not a lab specialist but the thought process they have relayed to you intrigues me.

ASD...



[This message has been edited by Al Dyer (edited 28 March 2001).]

 

[D.Scott]

I can see logic here. The Lab is A2LA but not as a calibration Lab. They verify calibration to a standard which is sent to an accredited A2LA calibration lab. The question of sending work to an outside lab for tests that the lab is not accredited - the requirement of using accredited labs only applys to tests within the Labs scope of accreditation and could be sent out to anyone quallified to do the test. The Lab could NOT include that test in their formal report as part of an overall report. If the work was "overflow" of tests listed in the lab scope, the subcontracting requirement would apply. Any time an accredited A2LA lab uses an outside contractor they are required to ensure the subcontractor has a satisfactory quality system and is competent to perform the test. The Lab in question would have to have documentation that this assurance can be made ie. A2LA, other 3rd party, or audit based on 4.13 of ISO 17025.
My advice would be anything they are accredited for should stay in house to avoid a problem. The tests they can't do - don't try to certify the result and don't include it with your report. Let the customer know up front that this will be sent out.
Like Al - I am no expert here but offer this as an opinion.
Dave