Environmental laboratories: preparing a PALA accreditation application
Define analytical scope and assemble required forms, competence evidence and quality documents.
Accreditation has a defined scope; it must not be presented as covering every laboratory analysis.
Define the scope
Identify the fields and analyses for which accreditation is sought. Consult program documents to select forms corresponding to the application. [1]
Check current documents
The program supplies forms covering scope, laboratory information and legal-entity details. Use current versions and check fees before submission. [1]
Prepare competence evidence
Instructions require organizational and staff information together with relevant quality documents. Check every item: a quality manual does not replace all attachments. [2]
Organize responses
Assign responsibility for the file and retain submitted versions. Prepare to address additional requests and wait for the decision before claiming the new scope. [2]