PURPOSE
The mission of AOAC INTERNATIONAL is "To promote quality measurements and method validation in the analytical sciences." The focus has increased on the total environment of an analytical laboratory that impacts the quality of analytical measurements produced by that laboratory. The Technical Division for Laboratory Management provides a forum for networking, information sharing and problem solving on issues of mutual interest for managing an efficient, cost-effective, quality laboratory. This forum offers opportunities for leadership and mentoring and, conversely, opportunities for learning and professional enhancement. The Technical Division for Laboratory Management fosters harmonization of those appropriate laboratory systems, which will improve understanding, and transfer of information, data, and procedures.

Analytical Laboratory Accreditation Criteria Committee (ALACC)
ALACC, the Analytical Laboratory Accreditation Criteria Committee, is part of TDLM. ALACC created the Chemistry Subcommittee and Microbiology Subcommittee in 1998. The Pharmaceutical Subcommittee was added in 1999. Membership in TDLM is required for membership on the ALACC subcommittees. ALACC criteria were developed by the subcommittees of ALACC and approved by the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Board of Directors. The "AOAC INTERNATIONAL Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food and Pharmaceuticals, An Aid to Interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005" provides detailed criteria to aid in assessing the essential requirements for performing these types of analyses. This document closely follows ISO/IEC 17025 and provides a section-by-section interpretation of the general ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

EDUCATION
The Technical Division for Laboratory Management plans and conducts educational and informational activities on laboratory management topics as stand-alone topical conferences, meeting add-ons and tutorials on the web site (www.aoac.org).

MEETINGS
Annual Meetings of the Technical Division membership are held during the AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting & Exposition. The Technical Division for Laboratory Management Executive Committee meets more frequently.

OPPORTUNITES
All interested parties are invited to join AOAC INTERNATIONAL Technical Division for Laboratory Management. Membership in Technical Division will provide an opportunity to work with other members, attend the annual meeting of the Technical Division, and encourage and support programs that will contribute to the improvement of quality in laboratories.

MEMBERSHIP FEE
The annual membership fee is US $20.00 payable in conjunction with AOAC membership. To apply for membership, complete the application with payment information.