2025 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting & Exposition
Town and Country Resort in San Diego, California, USA
$749 members/$849 non-members (includes electronic ALACC)
The Analytical Laboratory Accreditation Criteria Committee (ALACC) released its latest version of the AOAC Laboratory Accreditation Guidelines for food, dietary supplement, pharmaceutical, and cannabis laboratories last year. This guideline has been a staple of ISO accredited laboratories for over 20 years providing guidance and requirements beyond those in the ISO 17025 standard. The earlier versions of this document were meant to provide guidance for implementing ISO 17025 in food laboratories. While the guidelines provide meaningful information throughout the standard, the highlight of the document are the appendices. Appendix A provides criteria and frequencies for calibration, verification, and maintenance of equipment. Appendices B and C provide criteria for food microbiology and chemistry, respectively. Appendices D, E, and F cover the specific markets of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and cannabis, respectively.
Over the years, it has become a standard assessed by several accrediting bodies beyond just the ISO 17025 requirements. This course will provide an overview of the guidelines, show tips on how to develop a compliant Quality Management System, and provide strategies for planning and executing internal audits and technical record/traceability. Registration includes an electronic version of the current ALACC document.
Quality Managers
Laboratory Managers
Laboratory Auditors
Quality Managers:
Better understanding of the additional requirements for laboratories who are assessed to the ALACC criteria.
In depth review of considerations that went into the development of this document and considerations for use in your laboratory.
Considerations when implementing this document as either guidance or criteria.
Better understanding of the use of risk, measurement uncertainty, and process improvement.
Laboratory Managers:
In depth review of implementation of criteria in this document.
Use of criteria and recommendations for improvement of day-to-day operations.
Better understanding of technical requirements and processes for performing studies.
Laboratory Auditors:
Better understanding of AOAC criteria and recommendations.
Better understanding of notes and suggestions when auditing laboratories.
In depth review of appendices used for types of laboratories and equipment.
Brad Stawick is Senior Director of the AOAC Research Institute. Over the last 30 years, he has worked for several global and national contract laboratory organizations. In addition, he has been an independent consultant and is a Lead Assessor for ISO 17025. Prior to joining AOAC INTERNATIONAL, he served on ALACC and was Chemistry Subcommittee Chair. He is also currently Chair of the Life Sciences Advisory Council at A2LA and serves on ISO TC34/SC9/WG3. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in food science from University of Illinois – Urbana, and a Master of Business Administration.
