Letter from the President.       

In 1975, IAS issued its first formal accreditation to a structural testing laboratory in California. At that time, laboratories, inspection agencies, and product listing and certification agencies were all "recognized" under the broad classification of "approved agencies." Now, 40 years later, I look back with satisfaction that IAS has been at the forefront of the development of ISO standards on accreditation and in establishment of international mutual recognition arrangements to enhance the value of accreditation. Read more.

IAS Accreditation Committee meeting recap.       

The IAS Accreditation Committee held its open public meeting February 9, at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Los Angeles. A list of the accreditation criteria that were revised or approved at the hearing are posted on the IAS website.

IAS launches new accreditation program for
inspection practices of metal building assemblers.       

IAS began a series of meetings with the Metal Building Contractor and Erectors Association (MBCEA) in August 2013 to develop an accreditation program for companies that assemble metal buildings. MBCEA approached IAS with a request to establish a benchmark for companies qualified to assemble and erect metal buildings. The accreditation program uses an internal inspection process to recognize competent companies that assemble and erect metal buildings such as warehouses and churches, schools and airplane hangars. The efforts by the MBCEA and IAS to create the accreditation culminated in the approval of AC478, the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Inspection Practices for Metal Building Assemblers.

Reaccreditation of LIUNA training.       

In 2009, the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Training and Education Fund was the first national training agency to achieve IAS' prestigious accreditation under AC371/372. LIUNA recently successfully completed its second IAS accreditation renewal assessment, a rigorous process that includes on-site review of LIUNA's internal Management System.

IAS committee and council appointments.

The IAS Board of Directors recently appointed the following individuals to the IAS Accreditation Committee and Technical Advisory Councils (TACs): Anjali Weber, Institute for Credentialing Excellence, Accreditation Committee; Karthik Easwar, IAS Staff, TAC—Sustainability; Tom Bell-Wright, Thomas Bell-Wright International Consultants, TAC—Inspection Agency and Special Inspection Agency Accreditation; Paul Hoffman, HAKS, TAC—Inspection Agency and Special Inspection Agency Accreditation; Walter Martinez, Vidaris, Inc., TAC—Inspection Agency and Special Inspection Agency Accreditation; and Kellee Fernandez, IAS Staff, TAC—Building Department Accreditation and TAC—Fire Prevention Departments.

ICC LA Basin Chapter honors Chuck Ramani.       

The Los Angeles Basin Chapter of the International Code Council honored IAS President Chuck Ramani for service to the building industry at the Chapter's annual banquet, held January 17, at the Flying Museum in Santa Monica, Calif.

IAS presents to ICC So-Cal Fire Prevention Chapter.

The Southern California Fire Prevention Officers Chapter of the International Code Council met January 14 at ICC's Western Regional Office in Brea, Calif. The meeting was opened by Chapter President Julie Frasure. Code Council Board member Jay Elbettar provided the group with an update on ICC's current activities. IAS President Chuck Ramani and IAS Accreditation Officer Kellee Fernandez delivered a presentation about the IAS Fire Prevention and Life Safety Department Accreditation Program. ICC Senior Vice President of Product Development Hamid Naderi provided an overview of ICC's Preferred Provider Program. In conclusion, ICC Certification Program Manager Doug Hatch provided information for the group about ICC fire certifications. Lee Clifton with the ICC Government Relations department worked with the Chapter to facilitate the meeting that was attended by approximately 50 members. For information about holding a Chapter meeting at the ICC Western Regional Office, contact Casey Thomas at cthomas@iccsafe.org or 1-888-ICC-SAFE (1-888-422-7233), ext. 3389.

IAS training offers insight into AC291.       

An IAS training program on April 8-9 in New York provides an overview of the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Special Inspection Agencies AC291, ISO/IEC Standard 17020 and New York City (NYC) Department of Buildings (DOB) requirements and rules that govern the accreditation of Special Inspection Agencies. The program offers participants insight into effectively implementing a management system that meets the IAS special inspection requirements and guidance on how to comply with the requirements of NYC DOB. The course will review the steps necessary in the preparation of documents to satisfy AC291. The training session will draw upon IAS staff assessment experiences and insights from field visits and management system reviews.

New ISO Standard 9001:2015 training scheduled for May.       

IAS will offer a training program on new ISO 9001:2015 Requirements and Risk Management Principles, May 11-14, at the ICC Western Regional Office in Brea, Calif. The course is for individuals involved with the design, implementation or auditing of quality management systems to the new ISO FDIS 9001:2015 requirements. It will also focus on the basic principles and guidelines of risk management.

Update from ISO/TC176/SC2 February meeting in Lithuania.       

IAS International Representative Dr. George Anastasopoulos and IAS Assessor Natalya Roshka, both active members of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee TC176/SC2 on Quality Systems, attended the committee meeting on February 16-20 in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the draft International Standard for quality management, ISO FDIS 9001:2015, was finalized. Dr. Anastasopoulos reported that the finalized FDIS can now move forward for editorial changes and translation into official ISO language and balloting by July 1. Publication of ISO 9001:2015 is planned for September.

New and updated IAS accreditations.       

A complete list of companies and organizations that became accredited or renewed their accreditation with IAS between November 1, 2014, and February 28, 2015, is now available.

Seeking contract technical assessors and experts.       

IAS is seeking contract technical assessors and experts with experience in assessing the management and technical processes of laboratories, inspection agencies, building departments and product certification agencies.

Look for the IAS accreditation mark.

When you see the IAS Accreditation mark associated with a company or organization, you know IAS has evaluated it for competence and quality.

Let us know what you are thinking.

Share your comments about accreditation with IAS using our new online feedback form. See the Feedback link on the Contact Us page of the IAS website.

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