Referencing NVLAP Accreditation

Welcome

This page has been created to provide information about referencing NVLAP accreditation, including the conditions for using the NVLAP symbol and the term NVLAP.

Background

NVLAP has a policy governing the protection and use of its accreditation symbol in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011, Conformity assessment – General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies, clause 8.3. NVLAP has published the requirements for referencing NVLAP accreditation in NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements, section 1.8 and Annex A, and Annex E.

NVLAP must also comply with the requirements found in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) in order to be a signatory. This set of requirements is published in ILAC-P8, regarding the use of accreditation symbols and for claims of accreditation status by accredited laboratories, and ILAC-R7, regarding the use of the ILAC MRA Mark.

Apply for use of the Accredited Laboratory Combined ILAC MRA Mark

NVLAP has obtained approval from the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) for the use of the ILAC MRA Mark under the Rules for the Use of the ILAC MRA Mark, ILAC-R7;05/2015. This approval allows NVLAP to grant permission for its laboratories to use the Accredited Laboratory Combined ILAC MRA Mark for accreditation activities covered by the scope of NVLAP's ILAC MRA signatory status. Presently, this includes all the NVLAP Laboratory Accreditations Programs (LAP) except Voting System Testing LAP. The combined ILAC MRA Mark will not be available for accreditation activities covered by the scope of the Voting System Testing LAP as this program is not covered under the NVLAP signatory status.

Use of the combined ILAC MRA Mark is optional. Laboratories that wish to obtain approval for the use of the combined mark must complete an application request form and provide the additional supporting information. NVLAP's written approval must be issued to the applicant prior to any use.

Please contact the NVLAP Quality Manager at nvlap [at] nist.gov (nvlap[at]nist[dot]gov) if you have any questions about Annex E requirements or information regarding a request for permission to use the Accredited Laboratory Combined ILAC MRA Mark.