Assessment of test data from an overseas source
This laboratory is authorised by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) to test a wide range of rehabilitation equipment to Australian and International Standards. We can also give opinion on the adequacy of overseas testing documentation for claims of compliance with Australian 
Standards. This service of document evaluation costs only a few percent of the cost of actual physical compliance testing.
Below are listed some examples of the opinions available from source documents:
- Full test report *or compliance certificate from an accredited** Laboratory working within the terms of its accreditation to recognised standards of equal or greater rigour than Australian Standards: we can prepare a letter stating that adequate testing has been competently performed by a recognised laboratory
- CE declaration of conformity, detailing tests undertaken: we can prepare a letter stating testing has been carried out to appropriate standards, but no comment on the competence of the testing laboratories.
- Full report from in-house (not accredited) laboratory, detailing the tests performed: we can prepare a letter acknowledging the sighting of the test reports and the appropriateness of the standards but no comment on the competence of the testing laboratories.
- Summary of in-house tests, no individual results; CE declaration of conformity, certificate only: we will provide no opinion, but the summary will enable further requirements to be detailed.
- Compliance certificates to ISO 9000 series of Quality Assurance Standards: we will provide no endorsement. ISO 9000 etc., is not a product performance or safety Standard - it comments on the management practices of the manufacturer only.
We understand that many variations of the above will arise and recommend that where uncertainty exists, each case is assessed to find the most effective course. *Some of the requirements of a recognised report are:
- the official emblem of the national accrediting body must appear on the report(s)
- the laboratory's accreditation must include the tests undertaken
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the full details of the test document or standard must appear on the report (date, issue no., clauses, etc.).**NATA has memoranda of understanding with accreditation authorities overseas and lists these bodies on its website. This laboratory does not keep copies of overseas standards not in general use in this country. If comparisons are needed, a copy of the relevant test document must be provided.
This page last updated: 2 October 2012
URL for this page: http://www.novitatech.org.au/content.asp?p=379
