BRS Form No.
APPLICATION FOR ASSESSMENT AS
DPWH ACCREDITED PRIVATE TESTING LABORATORY
The Director
Bureau of Research and Standards
Department of Public Works and Highways
EDSA, Quezon City
Sir:
In accordance with the “Guidelines for the Accreditation of Private Testing
Laboratories” issued by DPWH, we hereby apply for assessment as a DPWH accredited
private testing laboratory.
1. Name of Applicant: ______________________________________________
2. Address: _______________________________________________________
3. Telephone Number(s): ___________________________________________
4. Address of Testing Laboratory if Different from No. 2: __________________
______________________________________________________________
5. Telephone Number of Testing Laboratory if Different from No. 3: _________
______________________________________________________________
6. Name of Duly Authorized Representative: ____________________________
______________________________________________________________
7. Position of Duly Authorized Representative: __________________________
______________________________________________________________
8. Specific Test/s for which accreditation is sought. (Use a separate sheet if
necessary): _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
9. Testing Apparatus and Laboratory Equipment – List down the test facilities for the
type of test for which accreditation is sought. Include name of equipment, its
purpose/use, manufacturer, date acquired and dated placed in service (Use a
separate sheet if necessary).
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10. Calibration – State program of calibration of measuring instruments/ equipment.
(Use a separate sheet if necessary).
11. List down the personnel in-charge of testing, together with their qualifications.
12. Describe briefly the security measures for ensuring the protection of proprietary
rights and confidential information.
In the event that a certificate of accreditation is granted, we hereby agree to comply
with the “Guidelines for the Accreditation of Private Testing Laboratories” and to abide by
all rules and regulations promulgated by the DPWH for the accreditation of private
laboratories of assessed technical competence.
___________________________________
(Signature)
President/Manager/Duly
Authorized Representative
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ____ day of ________________ 20___,
affiant exhibiting to me his/her Residence Certificate No. ____________________, issued at
________________ on ____________________.
___________________________________
Notary Public
Doc _____________
Page No. _________
Book No. ________
Series of _________
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GUIDELINES FOR THE ACCREDITATION OF
PRIVATE TESTING LABORATORIES
1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION
1.1 This document prescribes the rules and regulations governing the accreditation of
private testing laboratories that can perform the testing of materials for and in behalf
of the Department. It includes their organizations, staff qualifications, testing
premises, test equipment, calibration, records keeping and the issuing of reports.
1.2 The aim of this document is to set out criteria, the observance of which will ensure
that the work of the testing laboratory is conducted;
1.2.1 With technical and commercial integrity.
1.2.2 With a known level of accuracy in all tests and measurements (i.e., the
uncertainty is known)
1.2.3 In accordance with guidelines and standards of the Department
2. DEFINITION
2.1 Testing Laboratory – A laboratory which measures, examines, tests, calibrates or
otherwise determine the characteristics or performed of materials of product.
2.2 Test Method – A defined standard technical procedure to determine one or more
specified characteristics of materials or products.
2.3 Test Reports – A document which presents the test results and other information
relevant to the test.
2.4 Department – Referred herein as the Department of Public Works and Highways.
2.5 Bureau of Research and Standards (BRS) – A newly created Bureau, under
Executive Order 124 mandate to develop and set effective standards and reasonable
guidelines to ensure the safety of all infrastructure facilities in the country and to
ensure efficiency and proper quality in the construction of government public works,
2.6 Certificate of Accreditation – A document signed by the Director of BRS issued to
testing laboratories authorizing/accrediting them to perform the required tests for and
in behalf of the DPWH.
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3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BRS
3.1 Grant Certificate of Accreditation to applicant laboratories that are capable of
complying with these guidelines.
3.2 Assesses the applicant laboratories as to their compliance with these guidelines.
3.3 The BRS at its discretion may:
3.3.1 Increase or reduce the scope of accreditation.
3.3.2 Revoke the Certificate of Accreditation.
3.3.3 Reconsider, after due notice, the accreditation in the light of notified
changes/additions in personnel, equipment and/or system.
3.3.4 Shall prepare a directory of accredited private testing laboratories. Such
directory shall be made available to pre-qualified contractors of DPWH.
3.3.5 Gives due notice to an already accredited laboratory of any intended
changes/adjustments appertaining to the guidelines. The Certificate holder
shall be given such time as in the opinion of the BRS is reasonable to carry out
the necessary adjustments to its procedures. The testing laboratory shall notify
the BRS when such changes/adjustments have been completed. BRS shall
conduct as assessment of the laboratory to check compliance with the changes.
3.3.6 Shall collect accreditation fees in accordance with the rules and regulations on
fees.
4. APPLICATION FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF ACCREDITATION (As
amended by Department Order No. 173, series of 2002)
4.1 The application for the grant of a Certificate of Accreditation shall be accomplished
on BRS Form No. 1, obtainable from BRS with a non-refundable fee of P1,000.00.
Said application shall be filed with the BRS
.
4.2 The testing laboratory shall make available to the BRS Director or his duly
designated/authorized representative such data, information as may be required in
connection with the processing of the application for accreditation or in the re-
assessment of its testing competence during the annual assessments.
4.3 In the event the BRS, after assessing the laboratory, is satisfied that the testing
laboratory complies with these guidelines, then, it shall issued a Certificate of
Accreditation. The Certificate shall indicate the specific types of test that can be
done by the laboratory in accordance with existing standards of the DPWH.
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4.4 Once a Certificate is issued, it shall remain valid for two (2) years and renewable
every other year thereafter upon application.
4.5 A Certificate of Accreditation may be relinquished by a certificate holder upon
giving one month notice in writing.
5. APPLICATION DENIED OR CERTIFIED REVOKED/CANCELLED
5.1 Any Certificate granted under provisions of these guidelines shall be revoked or
cancelled on the following grounds:
5.1.1 The certificate holder fails to comply with any or all the terms and conditions
of the certificate as provided for in these guidelines.
5.2 No certificate shall be cancelled or annulled unless the Director of BRS has served a
notice of his intention to do so, stating therein the grounds for the contemplated
action, granting the certificate holder the opportunity to be heard.
5.3 The decision of the BRS under these guidelines shall be appealable within 15 days
upon receipt of such decision in writing to the BRS of his desire to appeal the
decision. The decision of the Director of BRS denying the application shall be
considered final for failure to appeal within the 15 days period. In case of appeal,
meeting between the BRS and the applicant shall be held on a date not less than 15
days and not more than 100 days after the receipt of the notice, and the applicant not
certificate holder so appealing shall be given at least 7 days notice of the time and
place of such meeting. The decision of the Director of BRS shall be final.
6. ORGANIZATION OF THE TESTING LABORATORY
6.1 The testing laboratory shall:
6.1.1 Be legally identifiable.
6.1.2 Have an organizational structure, including quality system that enable it to
maintain the capability to perform satisfactory the technical functions for
which accreditation is granted.
6.1.3 Be enable to demonstrate, on request from the persons assessing its
competence, that it is capable of performing the tests representative of those
for which it is seeking accreditation.
6.1.4 Be legally organized so as not to subject staff members to undue pressure or
inducement that might influence their judgment or results of their work.
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6.1.5 Be structurally organized in such a way that each staff member is aware of
both the extent and the limitations of his area of responsibility.
6.1.6 Have a technical manager (however named) who has overall responsibility
for the technical operations of the laboratory.
6.1.7 Have adequate security rules and measures for the protection of proprietary
rights and confidential information.
Note: In small laboratories, the organizational structure may fulfill the requirements
of this clause in a simplified way.
7. QUALITY SYSTEM
7.1 The laboratory shall operate an internal quality assurance programmed appropriate to
the type, range and volume of work performed. The quality assurance programmed
shall be documented in a quality manual which is available for use by the laboratory
staff. The quality manual shall be maintained and updated by a responsible member
of the laboratory staff. The person or persons responsible for quality assurance
within the laboratory shall be designed by the laboratory management and have
direct access to top management.
7.2 The quality manual shall contain information regarding:
7.2.1 The structure of the laboratory (organizational charts)
7.2.2 The operational and functional duties and services pertaining to quality, so that
each person concerned will know the extent and the limits of his
responsibility.
7.2.3 General quality assurance procedures.
7.2.4 Quality assurance procedures specific for each test, as appropriate.
7.2.5 Where appropriate, proficiency testing, use of reference materials, etc.
7.2.6 Satisfactory arrangement for feedback and corrective action whenever testing
discrepancies are detected.
7.2.7 Procedure for dealing with technical complaints.
7.3 The quality system shall be systematically and periodically reviewed by or on behalf
of management to ensure the continued effectiveness of the arrangements, and
corrective action initiated. Such reviews shall be recorded together with details of
any corrective action taken.
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8. STAFF
8.1 The staff shall have the necessary education, training, technical knowledge and
experience for their assigned functions.
8.2 There shall be a job description for each senior technical position category which
includes the necessary education, training, technical knowledge and experience.
8.3 The proportion of supervisory to non-supervisory staff shall be such as to ensure
adequate supervision.
8.4 Suitable staff shall be nominated to deputies for the senior technical and quality
system management staff in their absence.
8.5 Information on the relevant qualifications, training and experience of the technical
staff shall be maintained by the laboratory.
9. TESTING AND MEASURING EQUIPMENT
9.1 The testing laboratory shall be furnished with or have access to all items of
equipment required for correct performance of the tests and measurements for which
it is accredited.
9.2 All equipment shall be properly maintained to ensure protection from corrosion and
other causes of deterioration. Instructions for a proper maintenance procedure for
those items of equipment which required periodical maintenance shall be available.
9.3 Any time of the equipment which has been subjected to overloading or mishandling
or which gives doubtful results or has been shown by calibration or otherwise to be
defective, shall be taken out of service and clearly labeled until it has been repaired
and then shown by test of calibration to be performing its function satisfactorily
9.4 Records shall be maintained of each major item of equipment.
Each record shall include:
9.4.1 The name of item of equipment.
9.4.2 The contractors name and type identification and serial number.
9.4.3 Date received and date placed in service.
9.4.4 Current location, where applicable.
9.4.5 Details of maintenance.
9.5 In the case of measuring equipment, the record shall include:
9.5.1 Date of last calibration and calibration reports.
9.5.2 The maximum period of time between successive calibrations.
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9.6 A label or tag indicating the date of the calibration should be attached to the
equipment requiring the calibration.
10. CALIBRATION
10.1 Measuring and testing equipment used in the testing laboratory shall be calibrated
where appropriate before being put into service and thereafter according to an
established programme.
10.2 The overall programme of calibration of equipment shall be designed and operated
so as to ensure that measurements made in the testing laboratory are traceable
(where the concept is applicable) to national standards of measurements specified
by the International Committee of Weights and Measures. Where the concept of
traceability to national or international standard of measurement is not applicable,
the testing laboratory shall provide satisfactory evidence of correlation or accuracy
in a suitable programme of interlaboratory comparisons.
10.3 Reference standards of measurement held by the laboratory shall be used for
calibration only and for no other purpose.
10.4 Reference standards of measurements shall be calibrated by a competent body that
can provide traceability to a national or international standard of measurement.
10.5 Where relevant, in-serive testing equipment shall be subjected to checks between
regular calibrations.
10.6 Reference materials, shall where possible, be traceable to national or international
standard reference materials.
11. TEST METHODS AND PROCEDURES
11.1 The testing laboratory shall have adequate documented instructions on the use and
operation of all relevant equipment, on the handling and preparation of test items
(where applicable), and on standard testing techniques, where the absence of such
instructions could jeopardize the efficacy of the testing process. All instructions
standards manuals and reference data relevant to work of the testing laboratory shall
be maintained up-to-date and be readily available to the staff.
11.2 The testing laboratory shall use methods and procedures required by the
specification against which the test items are to be tested. The specification shall be
available to the staff performing the test.
11.3 Where it is necessary to employ test methods and procedures which are non-
standard, these shall be fully documented.
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11.4 All manual calculation and data transfers shall be subject to appropriate checks.
11.5 Where these results are derived by electronic data processing techniques, the
stability of the system shall be such that the accuracy of results is not affected. This
generally implies an ability to detect malfunctions in the hardware during
programme execution and take appropriate action.
12. ENVIRONMENT
12.1 The environment in which the tests are undertaken shall be such that it will not
invalidate the test results or adversely affect the required accuracy of measurement.
The testing premises shall be protected as required from excessive conditions such
as excessive temperature, dust, moisture, steam vibration, electromagnetic
disturbance, interference, and shall be maintained accordingly.
They shall be sufficiently spacious to limit the risk of danger or danger and to
allow operators to make practical and precise movements. The premises shall have
the equipment and energy sources needed for the testing. When the testing so
requires, they shall be equipped with devices to monitor the environmental
conditions.
12.2 Access to and use of all test areas shall be controlled in a matter appropriate to their
designated purposed and entry by persons external to the laboratory shall be
defined.
12.3 Adequate measures shall be taken to ensure good housekeeping in the testing
laboratory.
13. HANDLING OF ITEMS TO BE TESTED
13.1 A system for identifying the samples or items to be tested or calibrated shall be
applied, either through documents or through marking to ensure that there can be no
confusion regarding the identity of the samples or test items and the results of the
measurements made.
.
13.2 A procedure shall exist for bonded storage of items where necessary.
13.3 At all stages of storing, handling and preparation for test, precautions shall be taken
to present damaged to items, for example, contamination, corrosion or the
application of stresses, any of which would invalidate the results. Any relevant
instructions provided with the item shall be observed.
13.4 All samples to be tested should be transported and submitted by the government
authorized representative involved in the implementation of the project.
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13.5 There shall be clear rules for the receipt, retention and disposal of samples.
14. PERFORMANCE/WITNESSING OF TEST (As amended by DO # 190, series of
1991)
14.1 Accredited Private Testing Laboratories owned by companies involved in the
supply of construction materials for DPWH projects, shall engage the services of
another private testing laboratory accredited by the DPWH in testing the samples of
the said materials to maintain check and balance.
14.2 All tests on construction materials for DPWH projects shall be witnessed by the
authorized government representative involved in the project implementation.
15. RECORDS
15.1 The testing laboratory shall maintain a record system to suit its particular
circumstances and comply with the any existing regulations. It shall retain on
record all original observations, calculations and derived data, calibration records
and the final test for report for an appropriate period. The records for each test must
contain sufficient information to permit satisfactory repetition of the test.
15.2 All records and test reports shall be held secure and in confidence to the client,
unless otherwise required by law.
16. TEST REPORTS
16.1 All test reports forms shall be designated numbers and accountable to the laboratory
doing the test, following the BRS standard format.
16.2 The work carried out by the testing laboratory shall be covered by a report which
accurately, clearly and unambiguously presents the test results and all other relevant
information.
16.3 Each test report shall include at least the following information:
16.3.1 Name and address of testing laboratory.
16.3.2 Unique identification of report (such as Laboratory Number or Laboratory
Report Number on each page of the report)
16.3.3 Name and address of client.
16.3.4 Description and identification of the test item
16.3.5 Date of receipt of test item and date(s) of performance of test as appropriate.
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16.3.6 A statement of the effect that the test results relate only to the item tested.
16.3.7 Identification of the test specification, method procedures.
16.3.8 Description of sampling procedure, where relevant.
16.3.9 Any deviations, additions to or exclusions, and any other information
relevant to a specific test.
16.3.10 Disclosure of any non-standard test method or procedure utilized.
16.3.11 Measurements, examinations and derived results, supported by tables,
graphs, sketches and photographs as appropriate, and any failures identified.
16.3.12 The signature and title of person(s) accepting technical responsibility for the
test report and date of issue.
16.3.13 At statement that the report shall not be reproduced without the approval of
the testing laboratory.
16.4 Correction or additions to a test report after issue shall be made only by a further
document suitably marked, e.g. “Supplement to test report serial number ____ (or as
otherwise identified)”, and shall meet the relevant requirements to the preceding
paragraphs.
16.5 The test report should indicate only the result of the test/s conducted on the
materials. Evaluation as to acceptability of the materials tested shall be done by the
implementing office of the DPWH.
17. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE
17.1 The following terms and conditions shall be binding to all certificate holders. Any
infraction thereof shall constitute sufficient grounds for cancellation or revocation
of the certificate.
17.1.1 The certificate holder shall at all times comply with these guidelines.
17.1.2 The certificate holder shall claim that it is accredited only with respect to the
type of test performed in accordance with these guidelines.
17.1.3 The certificate holder shall not use the certificate in any manner wherein the
BRS may reasonably object and shall not make any statement relevant to the
authority of the certificate holder in a way which in the opinion of the BRS
may be misleading.
17.1.4 Upon termination of a Certificate of Accreditation, (however determined) the
testing laboratory forthwith shall discontinue its use and all advertising matters
which contain any reference thereto.
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17.1.5 The Accredited Laboratory shall make it clear in all contracts with its clientele
other than the BRS, that a satisfactory test report shall in no way imply that the
product so tested is approved by the BRS and shall not be used nor be
authorized to use, for promotional or publicity purposes by the said client
without to ensure that there is no misrepresentation of the BRS position
18. ANNUAL ASSESSMENT BY THE BRS
18.1 Visit – A duly authorized assessor of the BRS shall be permitted to visit the testing
laboratory periodically (once per year, minimum) but at the discretion of the BRS to
determine that the conditions upon which the certificate was granted are being
observed and carried out.
18.2 Monitor Testing and Reporting Procedures – In order to monitor testing and
reporting procedures, the BRS may require the testing laboratory to carry out from
time to time tests and prepare reports on test samples submitted by the BRS.
18.3 Confidentially – All information obtained by the BRS in the operation of this
scheme of laboratory accreditation will be treated as confidential between the
private testing laboratory and the BRS. Such information will not be divulged
without the written permission of the testing laboratory manager.
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