BACKGROUND INFORMATION

ABOUT THE FORMATION OF THE DOE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE

The DOE Metrology Accreditation Committee was formed under the auspices of the DOE Technical Standards Program Office (TSPO) to spearhead DOE accreditation efforts, working in close partnership with the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST). The Committee was officially started in August 1996 during a workshop on DOE Laboratory Accreditation needs and issues at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM (SNL/NM).

The Committee minutes of its annual meetings closely track the Committee's progress in addressing DOE laboratory accreditation issues and needs. The workshop initiated a member database of the DOE laboratory accreditation community that is updated periodically. The Steering Committee, Charter and Bylaws of the Committee provide formal direction for the Committee in addressing DOE accreditation concerns.

The Committee holds annual meetings and the Steering Committee meets both regularly and as needed. The latest annual Committee meeting was held jointly with NASA in Florida in February 5 - 7, 2008. The Committee formed a Working Group:

• MEMBERSHIP & AGENDA WORKING GROUP
  • Focus on recruiting members and interested parties.
  • Plan the agenda for next year's annual meeting.