Everything Material in Material Science

Earning accreditations is a critical asset for a third-party materials testing lab because it provides independent validation of technical competence, impartiality, and consistent operation.

Here at NSL Analytical, we understand these certifications bolster the trust and reliability our customers expect. Industry accreditations give our clients confidence, knowing that their test results are consistently accurate, dependable, and produced to the highest quality standards. This ultimately helps them bring reliable products to market with peace of mind.

As a leading chemical and metallurgical testing laboratory, our commitment to precision and reliability is evident through a suite of rigorous accreditations, including ISO/IEC 17025, Nadcap,  NQA-1, and compliance with ITAR and EAR regulations.

“These certifications are not just simple badges or checklists,” said Dr. Ross Cunningham, Director of Science and Technology at NSL Analytical. “They are fundamental to our operations, ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and integrity in every test we perform.”

What Does It Take to Attain and Maintain an Accreditation?

Becoming accredited is a rigorous, multi-stage process. It begins with a deep understanding of each test standard’s requirements, followed by comprehensive documentation of our policies and procedures. We then implement these updated practices, provide technical training, conduct thorough internal audits, and undergo rigorous external assessments by accredited bodies.

ISO/IEC 17025 and Nadcap MTL (Materials Testing Laboratory) accreditations apply specifically to testing laboratories, demonstrating technical competency on a per-test basis. NSL’s current list of accredited tests is available on our ISO and Nadcap scopes.

When adding a new test to our scope, we begin by meticulously developing and documenting repeatable procedures and training aligned with the relevant standard or specification. This is followed by extensive internal round-robin testing to ensure minimal variability across equipment, personnel, etc.

Once the method proves consistent, we perform an external comparison with other accredited labs, which requires our results to fall within an acceptable standard deviation. Finally, an on-site audit by the accrediting body confirms and approves the procedure. These accreditations represent a significant investment and reflect our commitment to delivering precise, reliable testing for our customers.

Continuous compliance is maintained through regular registrar surveillance audits and a commitment to ongoing improvement, ensuring our systems remain at the forefront of industry best practices.

These accreditations, even if not required, collectively establish our laboratory as a trusted and expert institution. They provide independent validation of our technical competence and consistent operation and commitment to continuous improvement . For our clients, this translates into confidence in the integrity of their test results, reduced risk, and streamlined market access for their products.

“In industries where material performance is crucial, working with an accredited lab is often a requirement,” Cunningham said. “However, even when it’s not mandated, our certifications demonstrate our unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and the highest standards of scientific rigor.”

What Are NSL Analytical’s Accreditations and Certifications?

We earn our customers’ trust through our technology and expertise, and by maintaining strict industry accreditations and quality certifications, including:

ISO/IEC 17025: This international standard is the bedrock of laboratory competence. It demonstrates our ability to consistently produce accurate, reliable, and impartial test results, fostering confidence in our data and ensuring acceptance by regulators and clients.

Nadcap (an Aerospace Industry Managed Program): This specialized accreditation is crucial for our work in aerospace and defense. It signifies adherence to rigorous industry-consensus standards for critical quality processes such as chemical analysis and metallurgical testing. It demonstrates that our lab has been independently audited and approved to perform testing for prime contractors and suppliers within these highly regulated sectors.

NQA-1 (ASME Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 & NIAC Checklist): For the nuclear sector, NQA-1 compliance validates our quality assurance programs for critical systems and materials, ensuring safe and reliable operations in highly sensitive environments and positioning us as a trusted partner for nuclear research and development.

ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) & EAR (Export Administration Regulations) Compliance: These U.S. government regulations control defense-related and dual-use technologies. Our strict adherence ensures the secure handling of sensitive data and materials, preventing unauthorized access and protecting national security. For our clients, this means we are a trusted partner for high-value, regulated projects.

We also participate in programs for other certifications and approvals worldwide. Our materials testing labs maintain approved laboratory status under several certification programs, including prime aerospace contractors. Visit this page to see our complete list of accreditations, certifications, and approvals.

Looking to dive deeper into how accredited, third-party testing can support your unique material needs? Check out NSL’s resources below:

Materials Matter: This educational hub page is a trusted resource for material science information.

Webinars and White Papers: Dive into specific topics in this library of educational webinars and white papers.

Video Library: View these helpful videos about everything from additive manufacturing to spectroscopy and more.

NSL Analytical Services, Inc. is an independent materials testing lab that specializes in metallurgical, mechanical, chemical, and optical testing for mission-critical industries.

Contact our experienced, accredited team to discover how we can deliver accurate, repeatable testing results with lightning-fast turnarounds, giving you confidence in your material performance and adherence to quality standards and regulations.