A combination of accreditation and certification in an evolving process atEMPA: A management system to meet ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and EN 45001

ak8 The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA ) have established a quality assurance system based on EN 45001 which meets the requirements for accreditation of all EMPA's testing activities. As te sting is only a part of Eh EMPA's range of activities, and is performed in decentralised departments, the system does not satisfy the management needs . The fundamental reorganisation of EMPA's St. Gallen site was used as an o pportunity to implement an overall process-oriented management system which also included quality and the needs for accreditation. Later, an environme ntal management system was added and then certified for ISO 9001 and 14001. The system consists of a "Management Manual" for the St. Gallen site and a customised "Quality Manual" for each department. One of the key elements i s a comprehensive review and planning procedure covering all business aspec ts.