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Letter from the president

Plans are afoot at IAS to train several new assessors and technical experts to prepare for servicing the growing portfolio of new clients in a timely fashion. In the coming months, town-hall style engagements are scheduled with IAS clients in overseas markets to ensure that Team IAS clearly understands customer needs and continues to serve them in the best possible, cost-effective manner.

December targeted for roll-out of customer portal phase 2

Phase two of the IAS customer portal is scheduled to be rolled out in December. This online portal will provide IAS assessors with a user friendly, semi-automated system for scheduling, planning, tracking and carrying out assessments that can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. Additionally, customers will be able to schedule, plan and track their upcoming assessments, as well as respond to assessment findings. The portal will make planning assessments more efficient for IAS program managers and coordinators located around the globe. Phase two of the IAS portal will also enable IAS to begin building an online knowledge database, searchable by topic, of items involved in the accreditation process.

Updated accreditation criteria added to IAS website

Updated accreditation criteria for IAS accreditation programs are now available on the IAS website. These criteria were approved at the IAS Accreditation Committee meeting that was live-streamed on the internet for the public on April 25 from Brea, Calif.

The new ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2017

ISO/IEC 17025 was first issued in 1999 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electro-technical Commission (IEC). It is the single-most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world with more than 50,000 laboratories accredited globally. Read more.

Specifying accreditation in regulations

Regulators in many different industries use accreditation to support their regulatory and policy objectives. International Accreditation Service Senior Vice President Raj Nathan discusses how a regulator can support product safety mandates and ensure testing laboratories are competent to perform testing services by requiring that laboratories be accredited by an accreditation body such as IAS.

Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Workshop held in August

IAS Director of Quality and Accreditation Mohan Sabaratnam attended the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Workshop on Aug. 31 in Baltimore, Md. The meeting covered topics such as state requirements for cannabis testing, metric overview for independent testing labs, Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission Independent Testing Laboratory policy review, proficiency testing, internal audit review and failed test guidance. IAS provides accreditation for testing laboratories that conduct tests on cannabis and cannabis-derived products.

The Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission develops policies, procedures and regulations to implement programs that ensure medical cannabis is available to qualifying patients in a safe and effective manner. The commission oversees all licensing, registration, inspection and testing measures pertaining to Maryland's medical cannabis program and provides relevant program information to patients, physicians, growers, dispensers, processors, testing laboratories and caregivers.

International Organization for Standardization Committee on Conformity Assessment Working Group 44 meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

IAS attends ISO/CASCO WB44 meeting in Geneva

Dr. George Anastasopoulos, IAS director for conformity assessment, attended the sixth International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) Working Group 44 (WG 44) meeting on July 10-12 in Geneva, Switzerland. A major deliverable of this meeting was the Final Draft International Standard version of the new ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 17025. The document is expected to proceed to publication in November or December of 2017. Read more.

IAS attends NCSL International Workshop & Symposium

IAS attended the NCSL International Workshop & Symposium held Aug. 13-17 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. IAS participated in the education sessions and committee meetings, as well as shared information about the accreditation programs for calibration and testing laboratories in an exhibit booth in the expo.

NCCA and ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation overview workshop

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) presented a workshop on Sept. 7-8 in Washington, D.C., to help attendees understand what it takes to gain personnel certification body accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). ICE's Director of Accreditation Services Linda Anguish led the training with support from Dave Nelson, program director at IAS. Through a partnership with IAS, ICE is offering dual accreditation to NCCA and ISO 17024.

Chuck Ramani (left), John Nosse (center) and Barry Schafer.

John Nosse and Barry Schafer visit IAS

Former ICC Evaluation Service President John Nosse and former head of the Australian Building Systems Appraisal Council Barry Schafer stopped by the IAS Brea office on Aug. 28 to visit with old friends. Nosse retired from the ICC family in 2011 after a distinguished 45-year career. IAS president Chuck Ramani was hired into the legacy International Conference of Building Officials in 1973 by Nosse.

IAS attends Environmental Measurement Symposium

IAS exhibited at the ninth Environmental Measurement Symposium on Aug. 7-11, in Washington, D.C. Co-sponsored by The NELAC Institute and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, this event was the largest conference focused on environmental measurements in North America. This forum on environmental accreditation brought laboratories, regulatory agencies, data users, sampling firms and many other organizations to discuss cutting-edge changes in environmental laboratory accreditation and future directions in policy.

Field evaluation body accreditation highlighted at IAEI conference

IAS attended the International Association of Electrical Inspectors Southwestern Section 94th Annual Conference and Business Meeting on Aug. 27-31 in San Diego, Calif. IAS shared information about the IAS Field Evaluation Body Accreditation program in its display booth at the expo. Read more.

Donald J. Waldman (left) and Chuck Ramani.

Don Waldman celebrates 90th birthday

Former RADCO Chairman Donald J. Waldman celebrated his 90th birthday in Santa Monica, Calif. RADCO has been an IAS-accredited testing laboratory and inspection body since the early 1980s. Waldman served with distinction for five years on the IAS Technical Advisory Council for testing and calibration labs and was always an ardent supporter of IAS and the International Code Council (ICC). IAS President Chuck Ramani represented the ICC family at the birthday party.

Upcoming IAS training

The IAS training schedule of courses is posted on the IAS website. Courses include training on ISO Standards 17020, 17021, 17024, 17025, 31000, 22000 and Special Inspection Agency Accreditation. Individuals who register early receive a 30-percent discount.

Seeking contract technical assessors and experts

The International Accreditation Service 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.

Let us know what you are thinking

The International Accreditation Service strives to continually improve our services and welcomes feedback, positive or negative, which we will use to provide better service to our clients and stakeholders. Visit the Contact Us page of the IAS website to share your comments.