Celebrating 40 Years: ORLAB's Journey to NATA Accreditation and Beyond
Published on the 02 May 2025 by Associate Professor Maitreyee Roy
On March 4th, 1985, ORLAB began its journey towards accreditation with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA). This milestone came during industry-wide discussions about accrediting and standards-setting bodies. A pivotal moment occurred when a representative from Protector Safety asked a compliance official from Standards Australia if the university could conduct testing. The affirmative response led ORLAB to begin testing and eventually become the sole facility for these tests.
Recognising the need for long-term recognition and compliance, ORLAB pursued NATA accreditation in sunglass and eye protector testing. This accreditation validated ORLAB's expertise and ensured compliance with industry requirements, positioning the laboratory as a trusted authority.
ORLAB has evolved to meet industry needs, expanding its Scope of Accreditation beyond sunglasses testing. Now, it includes comprehensive calibration and product testing services across optical, lighting, and safety applications, adhering to AS/NZS, CIE, ISO, UN-ECE, and ANSI standards.
With ongoing ISO/IEC 17025 (2017) accreditation, ORLAB's capabilities include:
- Product Testing & Compliance: Sunglasses, protective eyewear, lighting and optical systems, safety glazing, and material performance evaluation.
- Calibration Services: Precision calibration for various meters and measurement of transmittance, reflectance, chromaticity, and luminous flux.
NATA accreditation has been fundamental to ORLAB's growth, addressing critical industry needs in optics and light measurement. Accreditation provided clients with confidence, ensuring reliable, traceable results that meet national standards. It also enabled ORLAB to support clients in meeting international product standards, opening doors to global markets.
ORLAB's journey from a simple question to becoming a trusted authority in testing and calibration services highlights its dedication to excellence and continuous improvement, benefiting both its clients and the broader industry.
As Director of ORLAB, I鈥檓 proud to celebrate this 40-year milestone and the meaningful work we continue to do. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clients.
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Associate Professor Maitreyee Roy, Director of ORLAB