Quality Standards

Quality Standards

Our overall goal is to ensure that NAPT continues to enhance and improve its programs in order to successfully achieve our mission and supporting objectives.

NAPT conducts regular audits to ensure that:

NAPT ILC/PT programs conform to required standards.
NAPT ILC/PTs are technically valid and appropriate to the needs of the metrology community.
NAPT training programs are appropriate to the needs of the metrology community.
NAPT maintains the highest levels of customer service.
Any issues and/or Corrective Actions are addressed effectively and on a timely basis.

Quality System:

NAPT’s Quality System not only meets but exceeds international requirements for ILC providers. For example, our analysis provides much more depth than required by current guidelines. Accreditation bodies also have requirements that are based on their interpretation of the international standards, plus their own additional set of requirements. We actively work with all accreditation bodies to assure your participation with NAPT will fulfill those requirements. Of equal importance are the specific needs of our members. Our full time staff understands not only the accreditation requirements imposed on you, but also how they can best be met.

All ILC schemes are designed per our rigorous NAPT Quality Procedure 303-1 “Development of ILC/PT Schemes”. This procedure requires 1) a quality artifact will be used, 2) the range of measurement uncertainty that will be expected, 3) a determination of the type of participants who would benefit, 4) the selection of the pivot lab who will characterize the artifact, and 5) the establishment of the reference values.

NAPT test results are accepted by all recognized accreditation bodies as being technically sound and in conformance with required standards. All NAPT programs are conducted in accordance with the following guidelines, standards and requirements for proficiency testing providers:

ILAC-G13: Guidelines for the Requirements for the Competence of Providers of Proficiency Testing Schemes.
ISO/IEC Guide 43-1: Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons - Part 1: Development and Operation of Proficiency Testing Schemes.
NCSLI RP-15: Guide for Interlaboratory Comparisons.
ASTM E1301: Standard Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons.
ISO/IEC Guide 43-1: Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Comparisons - Part 2: Selection and Use of Proficiency Testing Schemes by Laboratory Accreditation Bodies.
ISO/IEC 17025: General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.