1 Using the ILAC MRA to Gain Marketing Advantage Cheryl O. Morton, Director AIHA Laboratory Accreditation, LLC 2011 Accreditation Forum Sunday, May 15, 2011

2 Our Recognition Status AIHA LAP is a Signatory of…. –International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) –ILAC Regional bodies Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) MRA Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) Multi-Lateral Arrangement

Importance of Recognition AIHA LAP deemed equivalent to other global accreditation bodies and our laboratories data can accepted now be worldwide. Can work with U.S. regulatory agencies that are requiring labs to be accredited by ILAC MRA signatories –Listed an as approved AB for third party laboratories that conduct testing for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). –Potential upcoming ILAC MRA requirements for food testing

Our Relationship with other Accreditation Bodies –Ten accreditation bodies in ILAC from the U.S. –Because they are competitors, some will try to convince you that only their AB is under ILAC or that they offer ISO accreditation. –Agreements not meant to replicate work done by other accreditation bodies; no reciprocity –Cross frontier policies mean that we can go into other countries and accredit laboratories with notifications

5 Marketing Actions within LAP We are required to promote the ILAC MRA –Program Recognition Section on LLC web site –Copies of Agreements online –News from ILAC and Regional Bodies ILAC documents webpage, both AIHA-LAP and ILAC website: –Laboratory Accreditation or ISO 9000 certification? –Why become an Accredited Laboratory? –Advantages of Being an Accredited Laboratory –Why Use an Accredited Laboratory? –How does Using an Accredited Lab Benefit Government and Regulators?

6 Promotional Events and Materials World Accreditation Day June 9, 2011 –Established to celebrate the global importance and value of laboratory accreditation –This years theme: how accreditation is used to support and benefit regulatory process and development. –Announce an online trivia week of May 23 and announce winner on June 9. –For more information about World Accreditation Day and ways to get involved, please visit AIHA-LAP now on Twitter:

Regulators Moving Toward ILAC More regulators (CPSC and Department of Defense) rely on third party laboratories to ensure proper testing rather than approving labs themselves Customers and their customers who work with federal agencies will begin to ask if your laboratory is an approved third party laboratory or if your lab is accredited by an approved ILAC signatory (or ILAC accrediting body). Director will work with communications and government affairs staff to identify new areas of interest and promote the ILAC and/or AIHA-LAP accreditation.

Using the ILAC Mark AIHA LAP signed an Agreement with ILAC to use the mark Also signed an Agreement so that we could enter into Licensing Agreements with labs Encourage labs to advertise using ILAC Laboratory Combined Mark on test reports, certificates, letterhead and marketing materials (brochures, expo booths) Lab can continue to just use our accreditation logo. Whatever is used, Quality Manager ensures labs adhere to advertising policies

9 ILAC MRA Contacts Cheryl O. Morton, Director - Representation on ILAC, APLAC, IAAC and Committees Coordination with government affairs, marketing and communications staff Heather I. Thompson, Quality Systems Manager - ; External and Internal Audits, Evaluations Maintain controlled documents on LAP Web Site Logos/Symbols/Marks

10 Questions?