UKAS
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, Companies carrying out the following activities must be UKAS accredited:
- Air Monitoring as part of Site Clearance Certification or for Employee Exposure Monitoring (Regulation 20 - Standards for air testing)
- Employee Exposure Monitoring (Regulation 20 - Standards for air testing)
- Bulk Sample Analysis for the presence of asbestos (Regulation 21 - Standards for analysis)
Our Testing accreditation (2083) covers the following areas of work:
- Air Monitoring
- Bulk Sample Analysis
- Bulk Sampling
Our Inspection accreditation (349) covers the following area of work:
Surveying
While it is not yet a requirement that Asbestos Surveys should be undertaken by Companies or persons covered by UKAS accreditation, it is stated in MDHS 100 that 'Organisations offering an asbestos survey service should be able to comply with the standard set out in EN 45004' - the UKAS standard.
There are other benefits to using a UKAS accredited organisation, as explained by the UKAS publication 'Why Risk It?':
Minimise risk
One of the key reasons a company seeks ISO 9001 certification is to increase competitiveness and to secure new orders by demonstrating its capability and fitness for purpose.
Save money
When you use a UKAS accredited certification body you are buying into appropriate technical expertise and knowledge. Use a non-accredited certification body and you run the risk of having systems imposed on your company that are inappropriate and not necessarily cost effective.
Enhanced reputation
Use a UKAS accredited certification body and you send a strong signal that you are serious about the markets you operate in and will not compromise your company's integrity when it comes to certification. This position will be readily appreciated by your customers and will enhance your reputation.
New opportunities
Certification bodies can bring a wealth of knowledge to a company during the certification process and this can lead to new opportunities and savings that had not been recognised previously.
International recognition
Through the international agreements that UKAS is party to, overseas markets will more readily accept your company if they know you have been certified by a UKAS accredited certification body. It is part of your passport to overseas success.
For further information, visit the information centre at the UKAS website.