Feature on regional cooperation: Europe-THE LAUNCH OF EAL (EUROPEAN ACCREDITATION OF LABORATORIES)

摘要

"The launch of EAL (European Accreditation of Laboratories) is a milestone in the recognition of quality and competence of European testing and calibration laboratories". The above statement was made by Dr Robert Kaarls, the newly elected Chairman of EAL, in a statement made at the first Plenary meeting of the new organization in Paris on 1 June 1994. EAL was formed by the amalgamation of the Western European Calibration Cooperation (WECC) and the Western European Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (WELAC). WECC has been in existence for 19 years and its members are the nationally recognized calibration services in each EC and EFTA state. WELAC was founded in 1988 and links the nationally recognized test laboratory accreditation services in the same countries. The members of both bodies accredit laboratories to the European Standard EN 45001 and they themselves operate to the standard EN 45003 using the assessment criteria of EN 45002. The EAL member bodies together have accredited more than 4 000 laboratories in Europe.