Society News Archive

24 July 2009

Health Physics Society Laboratory Accreditation Program Gets National Recogition

The Health Physics Society (HPS) Laboratory Accreditation Policy Committee and HPS Laboratory Accreditation Technical Director Jeffrey Guenther are pleased to announce that the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA) has just recognized the HPS Laboratory Accreditation Program (HPSLAP) as an accreditation body compliant with standard ISO/IEC17011:2004. This recognition signifies that the HPSLAP operates an accreditation program of the highest quality; compliance with the standard is accepted internationally as the sole basis for determining the quality of an accreditation program.

The HPSLAP accredits health physics instrument calibration laboratories and NIST-traceable radioactive source provider laboratories under the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (and also, in the case of source providers, ANSI/HPS N42.22-1995). Accreditation allows customers to make an informed decision when selecting a laboratory, as it demonstrates competency, impartiality, and capability. It helps to underpin the credibility and performance of the accredited laboratories and of their customers.

Portable instrument calibration laboratories and NIST-traceable source provider laboratories are encouraged to pursue accreditation under the HPSLAP. Users of these services are strongly encouraged to consider an accredited laboratory to meet their needs. The HPSLAP Web site is http://hps.org/lapc/.