Introduction-
A2LA stands for American Association for Laboratory Accreditation and is a non-profit, non-governmental, independent organization that gives accreditation and training services to different laboratories and training centers across America. This article will discuss mechanical testing from A2LA, a different form of mechanical testing done in this organization, before giving out the final reviews and accreditations.
A2LA is a third-party organization that provides legal, safe, and proper accreditation and testing reports based on the company or industry’s objective and functioning. This association was founded in 1978 by ACIL or the American Council of Independent Testing Laboratories. This organization reviews different on-site assessments and quality checks and takes action on different reviews. Here all the accreditation is based on the guidelines followed by the international standard.
Things tested at American Association for Laboratory Accreditation A2LA are– metals, plastics, rubber, textile, wood, paper, and paint products, whether varnish, wall putty, oil paints, distemper, etc.
Departments where mechanical tests are not conducted nor provide laboratory accreditation by A2LA, are- transportation, airlines, defense, medical, power, or electricity production stations, and life-saving kits whether it is related to medical operations or virus related or for fire, bomb diffusion, or underwater suit, etc.
Programs under the mechanical field of the testing department of the A2LA are-
- Consumer Product Safety Commission- started after CPIA or Consumer Product Improvement Act of 2008. They test the consumer products, which can be a fire, chemical, mechanical, or electrical hazard to the consumer’s home, for example, cigarette lighters, household chemicals, etc.
- Energy Star Program- they provide certification as a third party for conducting the mechanical product test. The Environmental Protection Agency announced this program in 2010.
- BIFMA Complaint Program- this program was launched by BIFMA or The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association on 1st march, 2021. this program offers a registry of furniture like- all-purpose office chairs, storage units, public, lounge seats, etc., which has passed the BIFMA safety and durability standards.
Types of mechanical tests done-
- Hardness
- Tensile proof load
- Expansion
- Flattening
- Bend
- Stress rupture
- Impact
- Drop weight
- Metallographic evaluation (for metal type identification)
- Conductivity
- Flare
- Weld and braze evaluation (a test of joining of two metals)
To conclude, passing these tests later results in accreditations of the product.