What does it take to be recognized by FCC engineers as an accreditation body of test labs?
It seems an arcane question but it is of interest to groups like the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation; the International Association for Radio, Telecommunications and Electromagnetics Inc. (iNARTE); and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/ACLASS.
The commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology has issued guidance.
In late 2009, OET asked for comments on the types of info that an applicant should provide to be considered as an accreditation body. The FCC also was considering a request from ACLASS Accreditation Services to be recognized to do accreditation of labs that test equipment for authorization under Parts 2, 15 and 18.
The FCC already bases recognition of accrediting bodies in part on requirements set out by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Now it has issued guidance involving “best evidence” of an applicant’s credentials, things like “successful completion of a ISO/IEC 17011 peer review, such as being a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) or other equivalent laboratory accreditation agreement” and “experience with the accreditation of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radio and telecom testing laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025.”
ACLASS also now has been accredited.
You can read the details from the commission’s engineers here.
