1.1 This practice interprets the generic criteria listed in the referenced documents as they apply to mechanical testing. The omission of generic criteria contained in any of the reference documents does not necessarily mean that they are inapplicable to this practice.
1.2 The specific criteria assess features of organization, facilities, personnel, testing procedures, and record keeping to give an indication of the precision of the test results and the validity of the reports produced by a mechanical testing laboratory.
1.2.1 Some specific criteria of this practice may not be applicable when tests are only conducted for the company with which the lab is affiliated or when the tests are conducted on a company's own products and are reported only within the company or to purchasers of those products. When exceptions to this practice exist, the assessor shall be informed of them. The exceptions shall be made available to the assessor if requested.
1.2.2 An appendix applicable to a specific test method further defines the specific criteria listed in the main portion of the practice.
1.2.2.1 The test methods state some requirements without numerical values or recommended procedures for determining whether the requirements are met. One purpose of an appendix is to provide procedures and quantitative values which may be used during assessment. It is not to be considered as the requirements for assessment or for testing according to the method. Only the assessor or the accrediting agency can state requirements for assessment. Similarly, only the responsible subcommittee can state the requirements of the test method. Where mandatory requirements of the test method are referenced, mandatory wording is used in the appendix.
1.2.2.2 For the purposes of this appendix it is assumed that when a measurement is required, some degree of accuracy is implied even if none is stated.
1.2.2.3 If an assessor chooses to require any of these criteria, then the laboratory should be prepared to demonstrate compliance by measurement made during the assessment or to have at hand a report of such measurement made previously.
1.2.3 An appendix covering details peculiar to certain tests is appended to this practice as follows:
1.2.4 The specific test methods and practices applicable to the work of the laboratory and listed in 2.1 should be employed in assessing the capability of the laboratory.
1.3 The laboratory being accredited may be part of a larger organization.
1.4 Testing, approval, and certification of a company's own products or services, or both, by its own laboratory does not constitute a conflict of interest.