The purpose of this page is to provide for the fair and equitable handling of external complaints and appeals from any interested party (appellant/complainant). Appeals (appellant) are normally actions taken by accredited laboratories or applicant laboratories to ACLASS and its requirements for accreditation objecting to any adverse decision taken in any step of the process from application for accreditation to the final decision on accreditation. Complaints (complainant) are an expression of dissatisfaction with any aspect of ACLASS and its operations lodged by anyone in writing or otherwise.

If an accreditation customer seeking or maintaining accreditation has received an unfavorable report, action or decision, the customer may appeal the report, action or decision in accordance with this ACLASS procedure. Complaints may be initiated from other then accreditation customers.

A party who has an interest in an action, decision, or report is the appellant/complainant. This may include an appeal coming from the customer about the handling of accreditation matters, a complaint from the users of the services provided by the customer, or a complaint from any other external party regarding any other matter.