Did you know Element holds over 1,000 accreditations and customer approvals?

Today is World Accreditation Day, a global initiative established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum Inc (IAF) to promote the value of accreditation. Every year on 9th June we take stock to appreciate the value of what our people do, and how many industries we protect, as global advocates of accreditation.

But firstly, what is accreditation?

Accreditation is awarded by National Accreditation Bodies to recognize that a laboratory can carry out specific testing, calibration, certification or inspection in compliance with national and international standards. For example, a laboratory may be accredited to carry out metallic materials testing, but this does not mean it can also carry out non-metallic materials testing. Customer approval is when a particular authority permits a laboratory to conduct specialist testing for its supply chain.

This year, the theme of World Accreditation Day is how accreditation supports the future of global trade. When doing business in a global marketplace it is essential that companies are accredited to test materials or certify products to international standards. Economies depend on this integrated system of standards, regulations and accredited conformity assessments, to remove technical barriers and promote a quality infrastructure for global trading.

Here at Element we hold a wide range of international accreditations, based on globally recognized standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17020, ISO/IEC 17065, ISO 9001, AS 9100 and?Nadcap. In addition, we have a range of regulatory approvals (FDA and MHRA) and customer approvals from manufacturers, primes, and other recognized customers that operate in the industries we serve, such as Boeing , American Honda Motor Company, Inc. Aerospace and Rolls-Royce . ?

Everything across the supply chain goes through some form of testing or certification, which is reflected in the over 1,000 accreditations and customer approvals we hold; from our Public Health Laboratory Service in the Bacteriological Examination of Public Waters at Element Warsaw, to Electrical Testing covering the conformance and protocol testing of wireless devices at Element Washington; both in the USA.

At the crux of it, an accredited laboratory instills confidence in the customer by providing the knowledge that a facility has been regularly audited, and complies with standards and regulations to prevent unsafe or environmentally harmful products or services being released. An accredited laboratory ensures that suitable facilities, sufficient quality assurance procedures, and colleagues with the right qualifications, experience and training, will be on hand to provide accurate and reliable results.?

With our far-reaching network of facilities, Element has the capacity and capability to provide testing and certification services in compliance with standards and regulations, domestically and internationally. Our geographical reach, matched with our global and local approach to trade, aims to support environmental sustainability and economic growth and development, resulting in societal benefits to the countries in which we conduct business.

On #WAD2023, we thank our colleagues for remaining at the vanguard of accreditation, from making informed decisions based on what the future needs of our customers might be, to evolving our offering?to cover an ever complex, changing, and truly global supply chain. We remain committed to product safety, integrity and performance, and firm in our mission of making tomorrow safer than today.?