We are not able to simplify the requirements, but we can help the laboratories to better understand them. This causes them to sort through a maze of possible certification programs to find the ones that will satisfy all of the different requirements. Also, the certification requirements can be a little confusing for the laboratories because they often perform testing on more than just one type of material, and they work on projects for more than one specifying agency. For some, though, it has been a challenge - mainly because the laboratories are not familiar with the requirements of the standards and how we evaluate conformance to them. A consistent evaluation ensures that all AASHTO-accredited laboratories throughout the country are treated fairly and that our program can better meet the needs of the agencies that specify accreditation for these standards.įor most of the laboratories in our program, this change has not been too troublesome.
This change was made to improve the consistency of our assessment of laboratory conformance to the ASTM quality system standards that require technician certifications. It has been over a year since we started to request technician certification information during a laboratory’s annual review for AASHTO accreditation rather than during the on-site assessment if the laboratory is accredited for ASTM C1077, D3666, D3740, or E329.
By Brian Johnson, AASHTO Accreditation Program Manager