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New Accreditation Body Established to Satisfy QS-9000 Requirements for Test Labs

17 September 1999

New Accreditation Body Established to Satisfy QS-9000 Requirements for Test Labs

    DETROIT, Sept. 17 -- A new accreditation body -- Laboratory
Accreditation Bureau (L-A-B) -- has been created to conduct ISO/IEC Guide 25
and ISO 17025 assessments of independent testing and calibration laboratories
across North America.
    Established by a group of investors consisting of industry leaders from
auditing and laboratory businesses, L-A-B has the support of QS-9000
representatives from the DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors Supplier
Quality Task Force.
    "They recognize L-A-B as an approved accreditation body for use by their
suppliers and their supplier's sub-contracted testing and calibration
laboratories," said Brenda Dusek, managing director of L-A-B.
    The automakers require their registered suppliers to use independent
testing or calibration laboratories accredited by an organization such as
L-A-B. These automotive supplier requirements are found in QS-9000, and the
new ISO/TS 16949 standard.
    L-A-B operates within the guidelines of ISO/IEC Guide 58, "qualifying the
bureau to obtain national and international recognition," Ms. Dusek said,
adding L-A-B will be operating out of offices headquartered in the Detroit
area.
    L-A-B is currently accessible via toll-free number -- 1-877-281-7199 --
and can also be reached through its web site: http://www.L-A-B.com .