ACLASS Offers Accreditation to ENERGY STAR Computer Specification Test Methods
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation
Board/ACLASS is now offering accreditation to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR computer specification test
methods.
EPA will require that any laboratory wishing to conduct
verification testing of ENERGY STAR qualified computers hold
accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 as of July 1, 2009, pending the
availability of accredited laboratories. The purpose of
verification testing is to provide regular checks on the ENERGY
STAR self-qualification process by requiring impartial testing of
ENERGY STAR qualified products in accredited laboratories. EPA will
also require that such laboratory list the ENERGY STAR computer
specification test methods on its scope of accreditation.
"ACLASS is pleased to work with EPA in providing accreditation
for the ENERGY STAR program," Keith Greenaway, ACLASS Vice
President, said. "In doing so, we participate in a valuable process
that delivers the technical information and tools that
organizations and consumers need to choose energy-efficient
solutions and best management practices."
A joint program of the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy,
ENERGY STAR is a voluntary labeling program designed to identify
and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. The ENERGY STAR label is now on major appliances, office
equipment, lighting, home electronics, and more. EPA has also
extended the label to cover new homes and commercial and industrial
buildings.
ENERGY STAR is a government-backed symbol providing valuable,
unbiased information to businesses and consumers. The label appears
on thousands of products for the home and office that deliver the
same or better performance as comparable models while using less
energy and saving money.
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board
provides accreditation services under the ACLASS and ANAB
brands.
Under the ACLASS brand, the organization
accredits ISO/IEC 17025 testing and calibration laboratories,
ISO/IEC 17020 inspection bodies, and ISO Guide 34 reference
material producers.
Under the ANAB brand, the organization is the
U.S. accreditation body for management systems and accredits
certification bodies for ISO 9001 quality management systems; ISO
14001 environmental management systems; ISO 22000 food safety
management systems; ISO 28000 supply chain security management
systems; ISO/IEC 20000-1 information technology service management
systems; ISO 27001 information security management systems;
ANSI/AIHA Z10, CSA Z1000, and BS OHSAS 18001 occupational health
and safety management systems, and numerous industry-specific
requirements.
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board is a member of the
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the
International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and is a signatory of the
ILAC and IAF multilateral recognition arrangements. Through these
arrangements, the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board cooperates
with other accreditation bodies around the world to provide value
to the organization it has accredited and their clients, ensuring
that accredited certificates are recognized nationally and
internationally. The global conformity assessment system ensures
confidence and reduces risk for customers engaging in trade
worldwide.