Accreditation Services
The Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS)
HOKLAS is an accreditation scheme operated by Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS). The scheme is open to voluntary participation from any Hong Kong laboratory, proficiency testing provider, reference material producer that performs objective testing and calibration, provision of proficiency testing and production of reference material falling within the scope of the Scheme and meets the HOKLAS criteria of competence.
Accreditation is recognition of the capability of a laboratory, proficiency testing provider, reference material producer to perform specific activities and does not guarantee individual results or equate with product certification. Organisations accredited or seeking accreditation under HOKLAS are required to have their testing and measuring equipment regularly calibrated by a competent calibration organisation to establish metrological traceability to the International System of Units (SI). The Standards and Calibration Laboratory - The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been accredited by HKAS as one of such competent calibration organisations capable of providing the necessary metrological traceability.
It is the responsibility of the user to specify test methods, where necessary, after discussion with the accredited organisation. HKAS does not dictate tests or rule on relative merits of test methods.
Accreditation Criteria
For non-medical testing and calibration laboratories
HKAS Accreditation Criteria are in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 "General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories".
HKAS Policy for accreditation of laboratories according to ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 is documented in HKAS Policy Document No.1 'HKAS Policy for Accreditation of Laboratories according to ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 under HOKLAS (ISO / IEC 17025 HOKLAS Policy)'. Copy of original ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 is available for purchase from Innovation and Technology Commission and International Organisation for Standardisation.
For medical testing laboratories
HKAS Accreditation Criteria are in accordance with ISO 15189:2012 "Medical laboratories - Requirements for quality and competence". The Standard ISO 15189 contains both management requirements and technical requirements.
Clauses 4 and 5 of the Standard are reproduced verbatim in HOKLAS 015 which also includes the HOKLAS policies on application of the requirements. Laboratories interested in seeking our accreditation may contact HKAS Executive to obtain a copy of this document. An abridged version with the main text of Clauses 4 and 5 removed is available from our website at www.hkas.gov.hk. Copies of original ISO 15189:2012 are available for purchase from Innovation and Technology Commission and International Organisation for Standardisation.
For proficiency testing providers
HKAS Accreditation Criteria for proficiency testing providers are in accordance with ISO / IEC 17043:2010 "Conformity assessment - General requirements for proficiency testing". The Standard ISO / IEC 17043 contains both technical requirements and management requirements.
Clauses 4 and 5 of the Standard are reproduced verbatim in HOKLAS 017 which also includes the HOKLAS policies on application of the requirements. Proficiency Testing Providers interested in seeking our accreditation may contact HKAS Executive to obtain a copy of this document. An abridged version with the main text of Clauses 4 and 5 removed is available from our website at www.hkas.gov.hk. Copies of original ISO / IEC 17043:2010 are available for purchase from Innovation and Technology Commission and International Organisation for Standardisation.
For reference material producers
In the first phase of this programme, it will cover chemical reference materials, both certified and non-certified. As the need arises, the programme may be extended to cover other types of reference materials.
The accreditation criteria is given in HOKLAS 022 Technical Criteria for the Accreditation of Reference Material Producers. The main text of this document is a verbatim reproduction of ISO 17034:2016. In addition, HOKLAS policies on individual elements are given in this document. Reference Material Producers interested in seeking our accreditation may contact HKAS Executive to obtain a copy of this document. An abridged version with the main text removed is available from our website at www.hkas.gov.hk. Copies of original ISO 17034:2016 are available for purchase from Innovation and Technology Commission and International Organisation for Standardisation.
Accreditation Regulations Specific to HOKLAS - Reference Material Producers are given in HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 39. This document is available from our website.
Available Accreditation Services
HKAS accreditation services are classified in accordance with test categories, test areas and reference materials. Accreditation services currently available are detailed below:
HKAS will provide new accreditation service from time to time. For details of tests and calibration and reference materials covered, please contact the respective accreditation officer.
HKAS also provides accreditation service to support Hong Kong laboratories to participate in overseas testing and certification programs. Currently, such supporting service is available for the following:
For more details, please check the above titles.
Accreditation Process
An organisation interested in joining the HOKLAS scheme should contact the HKAS Executive to obtain the necessary documents. The accreditation process is detailed in our website "Obtain Accreditation".
What is a HOKLAS endorsed report / certificate?
HKAS accreditation is granted for specific activities. An accredited organisation is allowed to issue HOKLAS endorsed reports / certificates only for tests and calibrations and reference materials which it is accredited. The organisation may carry out other activities for which it does not hold HKAS accreditation, but if it wishes to include the results of such activities on a HOKLAS endorsed report / certificate, approval from the HKAS Executive must be obtained. Such activities will have to be clearly marked as non-accredited.
Users of HKAS accredited service or reference materials should note that because accreditation of organisation for an individual test, calibration, reference material, or a range of tests or calibrations, may be granted, modified or withdrawn at any time, it is important to insist on that the results be reported in certificates or reports which are HOKLAS endorsed. If there is any doubt please check the current status of an accreditation with the HKAS Executive. Alternatively, the up-to-date accreditation status of a laboratory, proficiency testing provider or reference material producer can be found at "Accredited Category"
A HOKLAS endorsed report / certificate should contain the information shown below:
Measurement Traceability
Specific recommendations for calibration and recalibration of selected items of equipment required by laboratories operating in the test categories for which HKAS accreditation are given in HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 2. Where traceability to the International System of Units (SI) is required, the calibration is to be performed by a "competent calibration body"
Click here for the list of laboratories accredited under HOKLAS for specific calibration services.
Click here to access websites of MRA partners of HOKLAS (Accessibility to lists of laboratories accredited by MRA partners for specific calibration services will depend on the structure of individual accreditation body's webpage.)
Proficiency Testing
To comply with the impartiality requirements in ISO / IEC 17011:2017, accreditation bodies, including HKAS, can no longer organise proficiency testing (PT) programmes. Laboratories or other organisations may search for PT providers and programmes offered in the Asia Pacific Region at the APAC PTP Search website. Information on other PT programmes is also available in the database maintained by European information system on proficiency testing schemes (EPTIS). Organisations are recommended to check with the relevant PT providers on their accreditation status before participation.