Accreditation – sampling and testing laboratories

  • Created:
  • Reference: KBCN1337

Accreditation of organisations performing laboratory analysis and testing of emissions:

NC 2016 or newer

All organisations conducting indoor air analysis or emissions testing of building products must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, with specific accreditation covering all applicable chemical analysis and emission testing methods relevant to their scope.

The accreditation must be carried out: either

  • By a national accreditation body e.g. UKAS.
  • By an accreditation body that is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA).

Accreditation of organisations performing sampling:

If sampling and analysis is carried out by two separate organisations, then sampling organisation does not need to be accredited to the above. However, they must provide a brief report justifying:

  • The sampling methodology used.
  • Appropriate environmental conditions during the sampling.
  • The number and location of samples taken

This report is provided to the BREEAM assessor and submitted as supporting evidence for this issue

06-May-2025 Comprehensively updated to clarify the requirements.
31-Oct-2022 Wording clarified. Scheme applicability updated.
10-Oct-2022 Title amended for clarity. Scheme applicability updated.
24-May-2022 Updated to differentiate between sampling and analysis requirements. 
07-May-2021 Added clarification regarding alternative qualifications. 
10-May-2021 Updated scheme applicability.