AllanJ,
I agree with you that quality of an assessment should be more important.
Now let me throw a monkey wrench (sorry Claes, an adjustable cresent wrench) into the works. Anyone covers who work for accredited tests labs likely know the multitude of audits only too well.
Many test labs carry multiple accreditations under ISO/IEC 17025 or specific requirements. An example is a lab that may have 17025 accreditation from IAS and A2LA and SCC, plus Metro-Dade certification, City of LA, AASHTO, etc.
Why? Not every jurisdiction will accept everyone else. Even though IAS, A2LA, and SCC accept each other for testing, a building official in a given jurisdiction may want only one of them and not the others. That, as the specifying authority is their priviledge, but does put a burden on the test labs.
I am not trying to cast any issue towards anyone, only to point out that some sectors can easily relate to multiple audits - and in an on-going basis.
Any test labs folks out there care to contribute?
Hershal