Why Choose an A2LA Accredited Testing Lab?

In the high-stakes world of automotive and manufacturing supply chains, missed deadlines and rejected parts are costly. The best strategy for minimizing these risks is simple: Raise your standards with an accredited testing partner.

When choosing the right lab to handle your critical material testing, accreditation should be a top priority. A2LA (the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) is one of the most widely recognized accreditation bodies for testing laboratories, and its accreditation is far more than a stamp of approval. It’s a strong indicator of quality, reliability, and trust.

What Is A2LA Accreditation?

A2LA is an independent, nonprofit accreditation body. It assesses testing and calibration laboratories against ISO/IEC 17025, the international standard for laboratory competence, and accredits each laboratory for a defined list of test methods called its scope of accreditation. An A2LA accredited testing lab (sometimes called an “A2LA certified” lab) has been audited on its equipment, procedures, staff training, and quality system, and it is reassessed on a regular cycle to keep that accreditation.

Understanding the Foundation: ISO/IEC 17025

When a laboratory achieves A2LA accreditation, it is formally recognized as technically competent to perform specific tests, having successfully met the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. This international standard is the foundation that guarantees:

• Technical Competence: The lab’s personnel, equipment, and testing methodologies are technically sound and capable of producing valid results.
• Quality Management: The lab operates under a robust quality system that manages documentation, corrective actions, and continual improvement.

3 Reasons A2LA Accreditation is Vital for Your Timeline

Choosing an A2LA-accredited partner is a proactive strategy to reduce risk and protect your product launch timeline.

1. Guaranteeing Data Reliability and Repeatability

A2LA-accredited laboratories undergo rigorous, scheduled audits and proficiency testing. This ensures that the results you receive are reliable, repeatable, and non-disputable. Bad data from a non-accredited lab can lead to a material failure that you don’t discover until production—a far more costly delay than any testing fee.

2. Meeting Mandatory OEM & Supplier Requirements

For most major automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, accreditation is often a mandatory prerequisite for doing business. Your project cannot proceed without it. Using a non-accredited lab may result in your data being outright rejected, instantly forcing you to retest and causing significant timeline setbacks.

3. Providing Global Peace of Mind

The A2LA process is based on the international ISO/IEC 17025 standard making your test results globally recognized and accepted. This is invaluable providing you with peace of mind that your data will be approved anywhere in the world.

Beyond A2LA: The Full Picture

A2LA is a highly respected body, but it’s not the only accreditation service out there. Other recognized accreditation bodies also enforce the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The key takeaway, regardless of the specific agency, is the adherence to this international standard.

Accreditation vs. Certification: What’s the Difference?

The two words are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Certification, such as ISO 9001, confirms that an organization follows a documented management system. Accreditation goes further: an accreditation body such as A2LA confirms that a laboratory is technically competent to produce valid results for the specific tests on its scope. For test data, that difference matters. An ISO 9001 certificate says a lab has processes. A2LA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 says its results for those methods can be relied on.

What A2LA Accreditation Means for Your Test Results

Accreditation applies method by method. Before you send samples, ask the laboratory for its current scope of accreditation and confirm that the exact test method your specification calls for is listed. Results reported under an accredited method carry the laboratory’s accreditation. Results for methods outside the scope do not, even when the lab is accredited for other tests.

GPTesting: An A2LA Accredited Testing Lab in Michigan

Ghesquiere Plastic Testing is an A2LA accredited testing lab in Harper Woods, Michigan (Certificate No. 0079.01), accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for more than 850 test methods on plastics, rubber, foams, textiles, leather, coatings, and related automotive materials. Our scope covers ASTM, ISO, and SAE methods along with OEM specifications from Ford, GM, Stellantis, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Rivian, Tesla, and more. Request our current scope of accreditation to confirm your method before you ship samples. Ready to talk through a program? Request a quote or contact our lab team.

If you want to ensure your critical deadlines are met and your material data is bulletproof, start by making accredited testing your absolute standard.