The globally-recognized international standard, ISO 17025:2005, "General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories" demonstrates that testing and calibration laboratories operate a quality system, are technically competent, and are able to generate technically valid results. It is the leading international laboratory quality management system (QMS) standard. Obtaining accreditation is yet another step toward Galson Laboratories’ vision of being the global leader in providing our industrial hygiene and envornmental health and safety clients with the finest data-collection resources for the protection of workers.

The standard covers every aspect of laboratory management, from sample preparation to analytical testing proficiency, record keeping, and reports. It includes reviews of document control, corrective and preventive action, accommodation and environmental conditions, equipment, measurement uncertainty, evidence of traceability, and sampling.

ISO 17025:2005 accreditation authoritatively demonstrates Galson Laboratories’ technical competence in chemical, environmental and biological testing. The accreditation also challenges us to continuously improve the quality and technical competency of our laboratory and personnel. The ISO 17025 accreditation of Galson Laboratories resulted from an extensive review of our laboratory practices by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and acceptance by their Certifying Board.

The principles of the ISO 17025 requirements have been practiced in our laboratory for over 38 years. We are certainly proud to be one of only two worker-protection laboratories in the United States to obtain accreditation. You will continue to benefit from our commitment to maintain this accreditation through a high level of confidence in the results you will obtain.

• A2LA Biological Testing Accreditation Certificate and Scope (.PDF)
• A2LA Chemical Testing Accreditation Certificate and Scope (.PDF)
• A2LA Environmental Testing Accreditation Certificate and Scope (.PDF)

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has stood for integrity in industrial hygiene for more than 50 years. This organization grants accreditation only to those laboratories that have successfully completed the application process. This process begins with an AIHA review of a written application from the laboratory describing the laboratory’s staff, facilities and quality control programs.

If the application is deemed acceptable, an AIHA site auditor will visit the lab in person to perform a detailed inspection of the laboratory personnel, analytical standard operating procedures, reporting formats and quality assurance programs. A written report is then sent to the AIHA Industrial Hygiene Laboratory Accreditation Committee (IHLAC), along with past scores from the AIHA Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) program. Participation in this quarterly program is a requirement for accreditation. The committee will then make a recommendation to the AIHA Analytical Accreditation Board (AAB), which ultimately approves or denies accreditation.

Once accredited, the laboratory must remain proficient in the PAT program and report any changes in key personnel or laboratory location to the IHLAC for approval.

Every three years the laboratory must complete a new application and go through the entire accreditation process all over again.

Galson Laboratories is committed to continuing to exceed your standards of quality and integrity as we maintain our AIHA accreditation. Specific information and copies of certificates are included below:

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) has accredited Galson Laboratories since April 1976. This accreditation conforms to ISO 17025 standards. Current AIHA fields of testing (FOT) include:

• Industrial Hygiene - Metals, Organic Solvents (Passive and Tube), Silica, Asbestos, and Bulk Asbestos
• Environmental Lead - Paint, Wipe, Soil, and Air
• Environmental Microbiology - Fungal 
• AIHA Certificate (.PDF)
• AIHA Scope of Accreditation IHLAP (.PDF)
• AIHA Scope of Accreditation EMLAP (.PDF)
• AIHA Scope of Accreditation ELLAP (.PDF)

The New York State Department of Health approves Galson Laboratories for environmental air and solid & hazardous waste analyses. The approval conforms to the requirements of the National Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP) and / or the Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP). Current NYSDOH certificate of approval include:

• Environmental Air Analyses of Lead, PCB, Asbestos, Beryllium, Mercury, Chromium, Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Purgeable Aromatics, Purgeable Halocarbons, Volatile Chlorinated Organics and Volatile Organics.
• Solid Waste Analyses of Lead, Asbestos and PCB
• NYS DOH ELAP Environmental Analyses Air and Emissions  (.PDF)
• NYS DOH NELAP Environmental Analyses Air and Emissions  (.PDF)
• NYS DOH ELAP Environmental Analyses Solid and Hazardous Waste  (.PDF)
• NYS DOH NELAP Environmental Analyses Solid and Hazardous Waste  (.PDF)

Galson Laboratories participates in several round robin programs with other laboratories. The programs include:

• Institute for Occupational Safety Germany (BGIA) – Inorganic acids 
• IRSST – Isochek
• Pharmaceutical round robin proficiency testing
• Interlaboratory quality control – spore traps for Mold and Asbestos