Can the testing methods in the company's standard be recognized? If the company's standard does not specify methods but only refers to them or partially references their testing parameters/items, can they be applied for recognition as the full parameters/items?
Answer: Enterprises with testing methods can apply for recognition, but since the enterprise standards are non-standard methods, they should be confirmed according to non-standard method requirements and submit application materials as per the requirements for applying non-standard methods. For enterprise standards that only refer to other standards and do not contain specific testing methods, recognition applications are generally not permissible. When applying for recognition using enterprise standards, it is原则上 necessary to list the items/parameters; applying for "all items/parameters" alone is not allowed.
Can a laboratory apply for recognition under two names? Such as one for the company name and one for the certification name?
Answer: Generally not, the certificate can only have one name, i.e., the laboratory name that includes the legal entity's name. Other authorized names can be applied for to the Recognition Department 7 after the recognition is approved, with specifics depending on the case.
1-6. Can the inspection items be based on the calibration standard? What about international standards? Can calibration items be based on the inspection standard?
Answer: Inspection and calibration are two distinct activities with different purposes and methods. They should not be used interchangeably. CNAS does not accept inspections based on calibration procedures nor calibrations based on inspection standards. For international standards, recognition can be applied as long as the laboratory has the capability, regardless of the inspection methods. Currently, China has national standards for calibration activities, which are effective calibration methods. The requirements for the expression of CNAS's recognition capability for laboratories can be referred to in CNAS-EL-03 "Guidance on the Expression of Scope of Recognition for Inspection and Calibration Laboratories."
