The Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) voted this week to  continue AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs’ (AIHA-LAP, LLC) recognition and signatory status of the IAAC Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). The decision was based on AIHA-LAP’s successful 2013 onsite evaluation by both the IAAC and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC).

“With this IAAC approval, which follows our APLAC approval in September 2013, AIHA-LAP continues to be a fully recognized international accreditation body with program credentials that validate the legacy programs that AIHA-LAP has worked so hard to create,” said Cheryl O. Morton, managing director of AIHA-LAP.  “The dedication and support of the entire AIHA-LAP team, staff, volunteer leadership, and the AIHA Board of Directors allowed us to achieve this important milestone.”

With its continued IAAC MLA signatory status, AIHA-LAP will continue to be recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). For customers of AIHA-accredited laboratories, this means that they can continue to be confident that data from AIHA-LAP accredited laboratories are equivalent to data produced from other ILAC-recognized laboratories.  

AIHA-LAP signed the IAAC MLA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2010. A regional cooperation that recognizes organizations that accredit laboratories, inspection bodies, and reference material producers, IAAC promotes international acceptance of endorsed test, calibration, and inspection reports and other documents issued by laboratories that sign the IAAC MLA. 

About AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC

The AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. AIHA-LAP offers a group of highly acclaimed accreditation programs that has been relied on in the global scientific community since 1974.  The accreditation programs operated by AIHA-LAP meet international program requirements established under ISO/IEC 17011. AIHA-LAP is a full member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and a signatory of the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).