Vol. 22, No.

1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008

Continuous Process Improvement 

Got Any 
New 
Ideas? 
Ideas?   
Also in this issue: 
• TUR vs ‘GUM’ Expanded Uncertainty Statements 
• New ISO/IEC Guide 99‐2007 
• In Memoriam ‐ Professor Dr. Donald S. Ermer 
• The Learning Curve 
• Plus Liaison Reports and news releases 
 The Standard
Vol 22, No. 1, March 2008
Managing Editor and Publisher
Jay L. Bucher
6700 Royal View Dr.
De Forest, WI 53532-2775
Voice: 608-846-6968
Email: yokota-69@charter.net
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Advertisements will be accepted on a ‘per
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be available at present. Advertising must be
clearly distinguished as an ad. Ads must be
related to measurement quality, quality of
measurement, or a related quality field. Ads
must not imply endorsement by the Measure-
ment Quality Division or ASQ.
Letters to the Editor
The Standard welcomes letters from mem-
bers and subscribers. Letters should clearly
state whether the author is expressing opin-
ion or presenting facts with supporting infor-
mation. Commendation, encouragement,
constructive critique, suggestions, and alter-
native approaches are accepted. If the con-
tent is more than 200 words, we may delete
portions to hold that limit. We reserve the
right to edit letters and papers.
Information for Authors
The Standard publishes papers on the qual-
ity of measurements and the measurement of
quality at all levels ranging from relatively
simple tutorial material to state-of-the-art.
Papers published in The Standard are not
referred in the usual sense, except to ascer-
tain that facts are correctly stated and to as-
sure that opinion and fact are clearly distin-
guished one from another. The Editor re-
serves the right to edit any paper. Please sin-
gle space after sentences and use Times New
Roman, 11 pt font.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chair’s Corner ................................................................................. 3
The Learning Curve ........................................................................ 4
TUR vs ‘GUM’ Expanded Uncertainty Statements........................ 7
New ISO/IEC Guide 99-2007 ......................................................... 9
Continuous Process Improvement - Got Any New Ideas? ........... 10
IAS Report .................................................................................... 14
Donald S. Ermer - In Memoriam .................................................. 17
MQD Officers and Committee Chairs .......................................... 18
MQD Regional Councilors ........................................................... 19
LAB News Release ....................................................................... 21
FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR/PUBLISHER
As you might have noticed in the table of contents,
we are again ginving notice of the passing of one of
MQD, and ASQ’s illustrious members. Professor
Doctor Donald S. Ermer passed away this past De-
cember. His obituary can be found on page 17. Our
thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends,
and associates. He will be missed. Godspeed.
This edition of The Standard starts our fourth year as Managing Editor and
Publisher. Since going electronic in March of 2005, we have saved ap-
proximately $50,000.00 in printing and mailing costs for the Measurement
Quality Division. This edition is not the ‘smallest’ (as in fewest articles or
number of pages), but it’s close to it. Lately, there has been a series of
Pepsi commercials on TV where they shout: “WAKE UP PEOPLE!”.
I would like to do that right now - we need your articles, ideas and papers
to print in The Standard. I would like to think that this newsletter was not
for only one, two or three people to toot their horns or press their ideas to
the public. It is for our members to tell their stories, give their ideas, or
seek solutions to problems that they have not found answers to; or better
yet, where they have found the answers and are willing to share them with
the measurement/metrology/calibration community. Thanks for listening &
WAKE UP PEOPLE!!
The Standard is published quarterly by the Measurement Quality Division of
ASQ; deadlines are February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15. Text infor-
mation intended for publication can be sent via electronic mail as an attachment in
MS Word format (Times New Roman, 11 pt). Use single spacing between sen-
tences. Graphics/illustrations must be sent as a separate attachment, in jpg format.
Photographs of MQD activities are always welcome. Publication of articles, prod-
uct releases, advertisements or technical information does not imply endorsement
by MQD or ASQ. While The Standard makes every effort to ensure the accuracy
of articles, the publication disclaims responsibility for statements of fact or opinion
made by the authors or other contributors. Material from The Standard may not be
reproduced without permission of ASQ. Copyrights in the United States and all
other countries are reserved. Website information: MQD’s homepage can be found
at http://www.asq.org/measure. © 2008 ASQ, MQD. All rights reserved.
MQD
CHAIR’S CORNER
By Dilip Shah
As I write the Chair’s
column for this issue
of The Standard, we
are getting ready to
participate in the
Measurement Science
Conference (MSC) in
Anah eim during
March 13-14, 2008.
The Measurement
Quality Division has
been a co-sponsor of
this conference since
the division was
founded in 1991. This year, the Division is volun-
teering its time in many ways. We have a session
sponsored where Jay Bucher (MQD Treasurer
and The Standard Editor and Publisher) and I
are presenting papers. In addition, both Jay and I
are conducting two spearate workshops on
Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
We look for many opportunities to promote the
Certified Calibration Technician exam as its divi-
sion sponsor. This year, we requested ASQ Certifi-
cation Department to administer the exam on
March 12, 2008 at the Measurement Science Con-
ference. Our Past-Chair, Duane Allen is volun-
teering to proctor the exam for ASQ with possible
support from local ASQ sections. Thank you,
Duane for your dedication.
We also decided to hold a two-day CCT exam re-
fresher workshop on March 11-12, 2008. This
would like a sort of a boot camp for exam prepara-
tion. This was the first time that we have tried
something like this and we had no idea how it
would pan out.
At this writing, we are pleasantly surprised to find
that over 35 people have signed up to take the CCT
refresher workshop and 21 have applied to take the
exam.
The response was so strong for the workshop that ments should have a copy for reference. It can be
we had decided to stop taking registrations after the
first 30 attendees had signed up. But, the MSC con-
Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality
Page 3
ference committee did not want to turn away any
registrations. So, after some brainstorming with the
MSC committee we added another concurrent ses-
sion. As a result, we have enlisted Past-Chair,
Graeme Payne to concurrently teach the workshop
with me. The division is very appreciative of
Graeme stepping in at such short notice to help out
the division.
As usual, we will also have table space at the MSC.
We hope to see many of you at the conference and
provide a report in the next issue of The Standard.
The Measurement Quality Division is about meas-
urements of many different kinds. The science of
measurement (metrology) is very important in our
daily life. In order to conduct global commerce, we
need to standardize. It starts with physical measure-
ments. But, we also need another level of stan-
dardization. That is the language of metrology and
the terms associated with it.
Since metrology is used everywhere in physics,
chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology etc. it is
important to standardize the definitions. The ISO/
IEC Guide 99:2007 cancels and replaces what is
known to us in the metrology field as the second
edition (1993) of the international vocabulary of
basic and general terms in metrology (VIM). It is
equivalent to the third edition of the VIM. It is
truly a global effort to harmonize many different
terms used in many industries to form a common
vocabulary.
ISO/IEC Guide 99 was developed by a joint com-
mittee comprising representatives of the Interna-
tional Bureau of Weights and Measures, IEC, ISO,
the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine, the International Union
of Pure and Applied Chemistry, the International
Union of Pure and Applied Physics, the Interna-
tional Organization of Legal Metrology and the
International Laboratory Accreditation Coopera-
tion.
I do not like to normally endorse anything outright,
but I feel that everyone involved with measure-
(Continued on page 8)
March 2008
MQD Page 4

THE LEARNING CURVE while he was in Florence, and if so, did the Medici
brothers Ferdinand and Leopold have a part in the
By Phil Painchaud development?
This is the fifty-third installment
Naturally I called around to a few acquaintances to
in an uninterrupted coextensive
see if they could help. All I could get was a reitera-
series of unverified treatises
tion of the old unban myth that the hair had to be a
charted to be on the general sub-
pubic hair of a Swedish virgin. Applying known
ject of Metrology Education.
factors that seem to make some sense because, as
We have for the past sixteen
was explained to me, the natural pigments in bru-
years been writing these open
nette, brownette, and red hair makes them unsuit-
letters to our honorable Boss,
able for hydrometer use. Scandinavians, Swedes in
the Managing Editor of this
particular, are predominately natural blonds, I was
journal. Of late we have fre-
also told that there is something in the body chem-
quently found it necessary as in this iteration to
istry that excludes the use of male hair, and that in
deviate from our charted subject because of a lack
females their body chemistry changes permanently
breaking news items of metrological interest. At
upon pregnancy, hence the requirement for virgins.
such times it becomes necessary to become tutorial
The need for pubic hair was justified by the re-
on metrological topics (some of which may be of
quirement that any hair to be used must never have
dubious interest some readers). As usual this one
been bleached, dyed, permanent waved, or have
will be in the format of an open letter.
had any other chemical treatment. Pubic hairs are
unlikely to have had any of these treatments.
Dear Boss:
But the clincher came when I was told that the
As I intimated in my previous column, it was grati-
craftsman building the hydrometer usually pre-
fying to discover that I do have a few readers even
ferred to start with a hair at least six inches long in
though it cost me several bucks out of my own
order to be able to cut and choose that segment
pocket. You will remember that it concerned the
most suited for his purpose I do not claim to be an
general topic of who, where, how, and why, etc.,
authority on pubic hair, but I am reasonably certain
invented the sealed glass thermometer. While I was
that few ever grow to a length of six inches. An-
researching the matter, I discovered an undocu-
other urban myth shot down the drain! I will be
mented statement claiming the Galileo also in-
much appreciative if anybody can fill me in with
vented the hair hygrometer. (Now don’t get that
details of Galileo’s connection with the invention
confused with hydrometer. That device is used to
of the hair hydrometer (with documented proof of
determine the specific gravity of liquids. Those of
course).
you who are old enough and have lived in colder
climates will recall using such devices to check the
Now let us get down to our charted subject; Me-
antifreeze level in your car radiator before the ad-
trology Education. There has been noticeable activ-
vent of the modern glycerol based coolants.) As
ity of late by several organizations to establish
you should know a hair hydrometer is one of sev-
“Scholarship Funds” for the education of people in
eral different devices that can be used to measure
Metrology. Our own MQD is loudly supporting
the Relative Humidity of gases, especially the at-
some of these efforts. But why when the true mar-
mosphere.
ket does not exist? I am not saying that is should
not exist. Quite to the contrary! I hold that we need
I was unable to find any supporting data to that
to develop top level recognition that academically
statement. Hence do not know when or where Gali-
educated Metrologists are an essential element in
leo invented the device. I would be interested to
our economic, productive, and scientific ways of
know if he invented it while he was still Professor
life. For anyone to expect that this truism can be
of Natural Philosophy at the University of Pisa be-
fore he fled the Inquisition to Florence to become (Continued on page 5)
under the protection of the Medicis. Or if it was
Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 5

(Continued from page 4) We should look upon any educational institution

promulgated from the bottom up is productively (any level, preschool through doctoral) as a sort
inefficient, impractical, and /or probably impossi- of factory. A “factory” where workers (the fac-
ble. What is needed is a series of edits from the top, ulty) create a finished product (educated gradu-
be it via Government Specifications, Corporate ates) from raw material (matriculated students),
Policy Documents, International Standards, or under the supervision of an established hierarchy
other criterion mandating that all Metrology efforts (school administration), according to policies laid
and organizations be guided by a properly qualified down by CEO’s and Boards of Directors (school
academically educated Metrologist (or scientific boards, trustees and/or the electorate where appli-
equivalent). cable). I have occasionally in the past drawn a
direct analogy with an industrial facility with a
What we have, in those few places where we have widely recognized product.
any training efforts at all, are training programs for
technicians and calibrators. All well and good, we ---Not very far from where I am writing
always need technicians and calibrators, but who is this, the Hunt-Wesson Foods Co.[Now Con-Agra]
going to train them? When they are through had a facility where they annually processed hun-
schooling and out in the cold world that is going to dreds of kilo-tonnes of tomatoes fresh from the
lead them through the inevitable new technologies? fields into paste, sauce, catsup, and other desir-
Managerial personnel must somehow be convinced able tomato products.
to shed the false concept that an MBA can manage
anything. The fundamental concepts that are im- In this case are the tomatoes the custom-
posed on a candidate for that degree are dichotomic ers? You bet they are not!! They are the raw ma-
to the principals practiced by a truly Professional terial being shaped into products that the custom-
Metrologist. ers (you and I and others) want to buy. Our de-
sires and willingness to buy specific products and
I remembered that I had preached this same sermon quantities of those products are translated by the
in the past, so I researched my files of copies of Directorate into policies for the Administration to
previous Columns and I found in Column 13 writ- use in the direction and supervision of the work-
ten in 1996 the following: ers. They in turn following those directions, proc-
ess the tomatoes into the paste, sauce, catsup, and
In the October 1996 issue of QUALITY so forth that we, the customers wish to buy.
PROGRESS (all ASQ members receive that peri-
odical monthly), Dr. Mete Sirvanci, Professor of The educational process is much the
Business and Economics at the University of Wis- same. Here the customers are the parents in the
consin-Whitewater, posed the question “Are Stu- case of the younger students, and the eventual
dents the true Customers of Higher Education?” employers in the case of the more advanced can-
The answer of course is obvious. In any education didates. These “customers” make their demands
process the students are the raw material being known in the polling places for the younger stu-
fashioned into the product desired by the eventual dents by electing school boards of their choosing.
customer, an employer. In the case of the higher level students, the em-
ployer (private or public sector) makes his wants
This is true irrespective of whether the education known by whom and how readily he hires which
is `higher’ or `lower’, primary or secondary, me- graduates. In either case these wants are filtered
trology, or philosoph,. or engineering, or medi- back to the cognizant administration resulting in
cine, or theological, or liberal arts, or what have changes of policy directions to the work force to
you. To continue production of any product, that alter the product accordingly. If changes are not
product must have an eventual customer who will made accordingly, in the long run, we can expect
buy that product. But that product must also be the demise of that “factory”. No one will want its
constructed from some sort of raw material. product------i.e., no sales.
(Continued on page 6)

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 6

(Continued from page 5)

It is too often overlooked by both the students and the school administrations alike, that their
product, i.e., their graduates, must be “sold” to a “market” who want and need exactly that product,
just as Hunt-Wesson must sell their catsup to consumers who want and need that delectable stuff to
spread on their hamburgers and french fries.

Back in the 1960’s there started here in California a thing called the “Berkeley Free Speech
Movement”. It rapidly spread to other campuses over a wide area. Distilled down from all of the un-
rest, civil disobedience, and “filthy speech” which accompanied the movement, was a false philosophy
that essentially said that, “The students alone should control every aspect of the educational process”;
that the student alone had the right to dictate what, where, when, how, and by whom anything would
be taught; and how much if anything they might be required to pay; and for what levels of accom-
plishment if any, would degrees and other accolades be awarded. (I have been reading in current
newspaper articles how some of the leaders of that movement nearly forty years ago, are now be-
moaning the fact that they were ever associated with such a ludicrous premise).

Unfortunately this ridiculous postulate keeps reappearing in varying formats and facades.
Metrology education itself is not free of this insidious cancer. We are constantly besieged by indi-
viduals who have had little or no education in fundamental metrology and sometimes only scanty
training in some small area of instrument maintenance/calibration, and who seem to believe that they
are fully accredited Professional Metrologists, and who are demanding that recognition. No way!!
The road to full professionalism in metrology is long and arduous, but extremely satisfying. The
“Berkeley Movement” philosophies of “get it quick and easy, and on your own terms”, which even if
they were correct, could never apply in metrology. As well, no fiat by any company can create a
Metrologist especially where one does not already exist.

Well Boss, as the old saying goes, “The more things change the more they stay the same”. In the twelve
years since I wrote the above many things have changed but we seem to be ‘back to square one again’.
How do we convince the MQD and other Metrology related organizations to develop programs designed
for educating top management personnel about Metrology Personnel requirements? I am open to sugges-
tions.

Boss that concludes my ‘soap boxing’ for this issue. If you or any of our readers want to contact me, and
I don’t care if it is positive or negative, I am at the same old stand.

Phil Painchaud
1110 West Dorothy Drive
Brea, CA 92821-2017
Phone: 714-529-6604
Cell: 714-928-6084
FAX: 714-529-1109
e-mail: painchaud4@cs.com or olepappy@juno.com

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 7

TUR vs. ‘GUM’ Expanded Uncertainty Statements

Christopher L. Grachanen
Over the years I have heard many different opinions as to the
suitability of Test Uncertainty Ratio (TURs) being used in lieu
of expanded uncertainty statements (derived per the methodol-
ogy recommended in ISO/IEC ‘Guide to the Expression of Un-
certainty in Measurement’, commonly referred to as the
‘GUM’) in order to comply with laboratory accreditation re-
quirements per ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 ‘General Requirements
for the Competence of Testing And Calibration Laboratories’. I
found it useful to research the subject to substantiate my own
opinion.

First, a definition of TUR is in order. TUR is the comparison between the accuracy of the UUT (Unit
Under Test) and the estimated calibration uncertainty. This should not be confused with Test Accuracy
Ratio (TAR) which is the comparison between the accuracy of the UUT and the accuracy of the standard
performing the calibration. Key difference in these definitions is that TUR takes into consideration the
estimated uncertainty of the calibration process i.e. calibration ensemble, which is composed of many
different uncertainty components such as ambient environment influences, stability, repeatability, etc.,
of which uncertainty of the calibration standard is only one component. TAR is only concerned with the
accuracy of the calibration standard and not the calibration ensemble.

With that being said, ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 states “The laboratory shall ensure that calibration un-
certainties are sufficiently small so that the adequacy of the measurement is not affected” It also speci-
fies that the “Collective uncertainty of the measurement standards shall not exceed 25% of the accept-
able tolerance (e.g., manufacturer’s specification)”. NCSLI RP-3 ‘Calibration Procedures’, section
5.2.10 ‘Tolerance Testing’ relates “Where calibrations provide for verification that measurement quanti-
ties are within specified tolerances, the probability that incorrect acceptance decisions (false accept)
will result from calibration tests shall not exceed 2% and shall be documented. Where it is not practica-
ble to estimate this probability, the test uncertainty ratio shall be equal to or greater than 4:1.”

ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 section 5.4.6.1, ‘Estimation of Uncertainty of Measurement’ states, “A calibration
laboratory, or a testing laboratory performing its own calibrations, shall have and shall apply a proce-
dure to estimate the uncertainty of measurement for all calibrations and types of calibrations”. ISO/IEC
17025: 2005 does not specify TURs are an accepted means for estimating and reporting the uncertainty
of measurements. However section 5.4.6.2, NOTE 2 does state, “In those cases where a well-recognized
test method specifies limits to the values of the major sources of uncertainty of measurement and speci-
fies the form of presentation of calculated results, the laboratory is considered to have satisfied this
clause by following the test method and reporting instructions”. This ‘proviso’ is often interpreted to
mean that TUR satisfy the requirements of estimating and reporting measurement uncertainty.

From an end user prospective, TURs implicitly reports measurement uncertainty where as GUM ex-
panded uncertainty statements explicitly reports measurement uncertainty. I have found this explained
quite well in the April 2004 issue of the A2LA News: The Newsletter of the American Association for
Laboratory Accreditation. “Is Measurement Uncertainty Necessary on Certificates of Calibration for
Testing Laboratories? … Calibration certificates or reports can present measurement uncertainty either
(Continued on page 8)

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 8

(Continued from page 7)

explicitly or implicitly. Explicit statements are straight forward and are either applied to each data point
or to the calibration process across the range of the calibration. Implicit statements typically appear as
either a ratio or as a statement referencing a specification with defined uncertainties. The test uncer-
tainty ratio (TUR) is probably the most common statement of uncertainty and is defined as the ratio of
the tolerance of the unit under test (calibrated item) to the expanded uncertainty of the measurand or
calibration process. If one knows the tolerance of the unit under test (found primarily in manufacturer’s
operating manuals and/or method specifications) and the ratio is presented on the calibration certifi-
cate, one can algebraically determine the expanded uncertainty….”
http://www.a2la.org/newsletters/april2004/A2LANews_april2004.cfm

From the references sighted above one can reasonably surmise that TURs satisfies measurement uncer-
tainty requirements for laboratory accreditation. I welcome further discussion on this topic. Please send
comments / remarks to the editor of The Standard, Jay Bucher, for posting in a future issue.

=======================================================================

(Continued from page 3)

ordered from the ISO store for an equivalent of 189 CHF (Swiss Francs - approx. $ 172.00 USD) from
the following link:

http://www.iso.org/iso/iso_catalogue/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=45324

After the Measurement Science Conference, we look forward to spring and the ASQ World Conference
on Quality and Improvement (WCQI) in May 2008 in Houston, Texas.

If you are attending MSC and WCQI, please stop by the MQD booth and say “Hi”. We would love to
meet you and hear your ideas, comments and feedback. We would always love for you to get involved in
MQD activities. We can use volunteers to help in many different capacities and make the division more
valuable for you, the members.

Sincerely,

Dilip Shah, ASQ CCT, CQA, CQE

E = mc3 Solutions.
E-mail: emc3solu@aol.com

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 9

New ISO/IEC Guide on vocabulary of metrology

reflects evolution of science of measurement

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and its partner IEC (International Electrotechnical
Commission) have published a new guide on the vocabulary of metrology – the science of measurement
and its application.

ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, International vocabulary of metrology – Basic and general concepts and asso-
ciated terms (VIM), which is an English-French publication, gives guidance on the concepts and terms
used in various approaches to measurement.

Before people can communicate, they need to know and understand the words they wish to use. This is
equally true in metrology, where concepts and terms such as "measurement result", "measurement error"
and "measurement uncertainty" need to be agreed upon if they are to be used in a consistent manner.

Since metrology is in an evolving state concerning what is the best approach (e.g. classical versus uncer-
tainty), it is especially important to have an international vocabulary that allows metrologists to commu-
nicate clearly about the measurement approach that they are using.

ISO/IEC Guide 99 cancels and replaces the second edition of the International vocabulary of basic and
general terms in metrology (VIM). It is equivalent to the third edition of the VIM.

The need to cover measurements in chemistry and laboratory medicine for the first time, as well as to
incorporate concepts such as those that relate to metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty, and
nominal properties, led to this third edition. Its title is now International vocabulary of metrology — Ba-
sic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM), in order to emphasize the primary role of concepts
in developing a vocabulary.

In ISO/IEC Guide 99, it is taken for granted that there is no fundamental difference in the basic princi-
ples of measurement in physics, chemistry, laboratory medicine, biology, or engineering. Furthermore,
an attempt has been made to meet conceptual needs of measurement in fields such as biochemistry, food
science, forensic science, and molecular biology.

ISO/IEC Guide 99 was developed by a joint committee comprising representatives of the International
Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), IEC, ISO, the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry
and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the
International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), the International Organization of Legal Me-
trology (OIML) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

www.iso.org

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 10

Continuous Process Inprovement—Got Any New Ideas?

By Jay L. Bucher

Where do ideas come from? Do you have to be special in some way to get them? Are they reserved for
the young, or just the young at heart? Is neccesity really the mother of invention? Or is it true that we
simply recycle old ideas when we tire of the way we currently do things?

Please allow me to ramble a bit while I try to get my arms around this concept of ‘Continuous Process
Improvement’; AKA coming up with a new and/or better idea or way to do what is already being done.
The general concept of what I am talking about is how do we, as a metrology and calibration commu-
nity, complete the processes and procedures in our daily work environment while making improvements,
saving time and money, and keeping upper management off our collective backs?

Where does the idea for going paperless come from? But more importantly, where does the idea of how
to accomplish it come from? Is it an epiphany that happens in the shower (actually, for me, that is where
it has happened on several occasions. Not only is it a good ‘idea place’ for me, but I’m also hiegenically
sound). Or do you get your ideas when staring at the problem at work, while driving to or from work, or
while taking your aggressions out on your buddies on the raquetball court? No matter where they come
from, why do we have them, and what can we do to increase and improve them? I don’t have the answer
to any of these questions. But maybe YOU do!!

I believe that companies hire new graduates out of their respective schools (under graduate, graduate,
trade, military and vocational schools) for several different reasons: they may have been trained in the
latest technologies, equipment, processes and procedures; they may have received their education from
the best trained instructors, professors, and teachers available in their chosen fields; they may bring a
new outlook and set of eyes to the problems and challenges that most companies face in today’s fast
evolving markets; and yes—nepotisim is still alive and well in the work place. But having said that,
fresh blood can also bring fresh ideas on how to accomplish a process or procedure that has been done
the same way for years, decades, or since the plant was opened!

Most of us know that if we work in any type of regulated industry (the FDA comes to mind, along with
several others), that any change or modification to a process or procedure must be validated and/or
qualified before that particular change can be incorporated into the aforementioned process or proce-
dure. This must be documented, the personnel must be trained on the change, and their training records
updated to show that they have been trained and understand the new way to do business.

Right now, I can imagine a lot of the older crowd nodding their heads about what I have written. But in
the back of their minds they are really saying, “I’m going to let some new smart mouthed kid tell me
how to do my job. I’ve done it this way for 15 years and nobody has shown me a better way yet.” Come
to think of it, 15 years ago, this same ‘old timer’ was the new kid on the block, and what happened to his
or her new ideas? Probably the same thing that happens to the new ideas of today. Most are relegated to
‘we’ll see later if it works’ bin, and later turns into 15 years of the same old way of doing business.

You don’t have to be a rebel to get your ideas noticed. You don’t have to start a riot among your fellow
workers to get the attention of the supervisor or manager. All you have to do is use their terminology to
get their attention. Words like ‘saving time and money’, or ‘think of the improved safety’, or maybe
‘this could save all of our jobs from going overseas’. Continuous process improvement is really have

(Continued on page 11)

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(Continued from page 10)

the mind set to look at how you do your job day in and day out, and being aware that possibly there is a
better, quicker, safer, more efficient way to get the same job done, without costing more money or time.

Allow me to reprint some of the text from The Quality Calibration Handbook, chapter 16: Continuous
Process Improvement:1

There are two items that must continually be updated: your process improvements and training. If a
word or phrase were to be assigned to each chapter... the word for this [continuous process improve-
ment] would have to be attitude . . . bold and italicized! To be successful, both within your department
and when dealing with your customers, there is nothing more important than the group’s attitude.

To help ensure that all of the operations used in a calibration function occur in a stable manner, there
must be a quality calibration system. The effective operation of such a system should result in stable
processes and, therefore, in a consistent output from those processes. Once stability and consistency are
achieved, then it’s possible to initiate improvements. The more stable and reliable the quality calibration
system, the easier it will be to make improvements and spread the benefits out to all of the calibration
staff. Improvements in calibration procedures, record keeping, and the actual calibration process will
help make the calibration function more efficient and cost effective and increase the production totals as
improvements are implemented.

Continuous process improvement is not a fly-by-night axiom or flavor of the month. It is what makes
any and all processes worth their weight in gold. Life itself shows that without continuous process im-
provement, all beings, large and small, could not evolve or possibly continue to exist. By not inventing
the wheel or fire, humans might not be around today. Animals in all forms have continued to evolve
throughout the eons to be adaptable and survive life’s dangers.

Such is the nature of all things. Continuous process improvement does not mean we intentionally build
or develop something wrong or ineptly. It simply means that we must accept from the start that anything
developed from scratch can always be improved upon.

The same can be said for a quality calibration system. As time goes by and the system is put to use, eas-
ier ways to do things are found. More productive ways to accomplish calibrations, or to write proce-
dures, or to go paperless come along that had not been thought of before. Simply because they had not
been thought of (the technology or training was not previously available) does not mean anyone should
think less of themselves for not thinking of that particular improvement earlier. It is just the nature of the
beast to constantly find ways to make things better.

Take fire for instance. We no longer rub two sticks together to get a flame started. In some instances, a
flame is not even used or needed. Heat can come from many types of sources. Cooking is probably done
more without flame today than with it. Part of this improvement comes from safety (open flame does
have some detractors) and part from convenience. But over the long haul, it is an improvement upon an
age-old idea of cooking with heat.

There are microwave ovens, convection ovens, portable camp stoves, and cans of Sterno. There is even a
system that has no matches, no flames, no electricity, and no water. It is called Sterno Flameless. This is
not an advertisement for or endorsement of this system or its parent company. It is just an example of

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MQD Page 12

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how far we have come since humans first saw fire from the sky (lightning and the byproducts of fire)
and starting rubbing two sticks together.

No matter how good your system or process may be there can always be improvement. If humanity was
at the end of its quest for improvements, then there would be no reason to have a patent office or copy-
right and trademark laws. We are always inventing new ways to do things, and then along comes another
person to improve upon the original idea.

How does one motivate a staff to not only come to work with a positive attitude, but also be willing to
look at each of their processes with a mind-set of continuous process improvement? Do they really un-
derstand the importance of what they do and how it fits into the big picture of the company they work
for? Have they been told the importance of the market they are involved in? Do they understand the im-
pact of poor quality on their products or services?

Motivation can be enhanced once the calibration technician understands the importance of what they do
on every aspect of their company’s products and customers. Let me repeat an example that can be found
previously in the aforementioned book.

A calibration staff comes to work every day and does nothing but calibrate pipettes for a biotechnology
company. They also calibrate a few odd items, spectrophotometers, thermal cyclers, balances, and water
baths. But the vast amount of their time and effort goes into the calibration of pipettes. How does one
motivate these calibration technicians to come to work every day to perform the mundane task of cali-
brating pipettes? What will the pipettes be used for? There are many functions that must use pipettes to
accomplish their jobs. Hospitals, pharmacies, universities, research institutes, biotechnology companies,
and pharmaceutical companies all use pipettes in their daily work. Is any of this important or critical to
society? Of course they are. No one knows if the pipette they just calibrated will be used for determining
the cause of a patient’s illness, dispensing the proper amount of drugs for prescriptions, completing the
experiments that allow students to understand the cause and effect of proteins and enzymes, or finding
the cure for cancer.

If any one of those situations doesn’t get one excited about calibration, then it would be very difficult to
motivate a calibration staff to come to work every day. They don’t have to work in one of those fields.
But somebody has to calibrate all those pipettes.

What about the calibration technicians that are responsible for all the gages and instruments used at an
airplane assembly plant? Or an automobile manufacturing facility? Their work is critical for the produc-
tion of quality parts that affect everyone that flies the skies over us or drives the highways that crisscross
America and the world. Hopefully, the wings are not falling off the airliners and the wheels are staying
on the vehicles, all due to the diligence and accuracy of the calibration technicians doing their daily
work.

Are they doing the same thing that was done 10 or 20 years ago? There had to have been improvements
in their processes and systems in order to upgrade to better, faster, and improved products. Somebody
had a hand in making those improvements. Somebody saw a way to make it better, faster, and less costly
and submitted an improvement to the system to get it implemented. It all falls under the heading of proc-
ess improvement.

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MQD Page 13

(Continued from page 12)

Attitude. That says it all. Attitude in motivating your staff and yourself. Attitude in opening your mind
to see where improvements can be accomplished and then seeing that they get implemented. Part of the
process can be found during audits, when an outside set of eyes may see where improvements can be
made. But those happen only once or twice a year. The calibration technician working the same old sys-
tem day in and day out, when properly motivated, should always be on the lookout for an easier, less
costly, more productive way to get the job done.

Of course they still have to use calibration procedures (maybe they could be on a lap-top or HUD in-
stead of hard copy); and complete the calibration record (going electronic/paperless along with a wire-
less data collection system instead of hard copy and killing all those trees); and fill out the appropriate
calibration labels and CAMS (these could be automated along with the paperless calibration record and
time sensitive labels that change color after a predetermined time has passed). The opportunities for
making improvements will always be endless. Thus, the chance to make improvements should always be
close to the surface when doing your daily work.

Making continuous process improvement a part of your quality system as matter of course can go a long
way in helping to motivate the calibration staff. If they observe management and supervision looking for
ways to make improvements, and walking the walk, instead of simply mouthing the words, they will
know that they have the backing of higher management when it comes time for them to submit their
ideas. Just because a certain idea is not used in its entirety doesn’t mean that a part of it cannot be used
along with somebody else’s input. By working together to make the calibration process easier, faster,
and more productive, while meeting the requirements of your quality calibration system, there will al-
ways be ways to improve how they do their jobs.1

And maybe, just maybe, that old timer will try to implement some of his or her old ideas that have been
perculating for all those years. Sometimes what was old can be new again, with the right attitude and a
sharp eye on how things are done. Process improvement - new ideas… sounds like a marriage made
heaven.

1. Jay L. Bucher, The Quality Calibration Handbook - Developing and Managing a Calibration Pro-
gram (Milwaukee: ASQ Quality Press, 2007), chapter 16.

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 14

IAS report
th
4 Quarter 2007
IAS Announces Transition from
ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 to ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006

IAS is pleased to announce transition from ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994 TO ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006.

Beginning in January 2008, IAS accreditation certificates issued to its accredited calibration laboratories
will reference the updated version of the standard.

The predominant American National Standard for calibration laboratories, Z540-1 was retired in the
summer of 2007, in favor of Z540.3. Many of the requirements from Z540-1 remain in Z540.3, and the
new Standard is aligned much closer to ANS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The provision for allowing the 4:1
Test Uncertainty Ratio (TUR) also remains and is contained in Clause 5.3 of the Standard.

Assessment of calibration laboratories by IAS includes all requirements of ANS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005;

and under Z540.3 Clause 5.3, IAS will ensure that the laboratory meets the requirements of that clause.
Specific assessment and documentation of the 4:1 TUR will be included as applicable. Assessment to all
the requirements of Z540.3 may not be needed for most calibration laboratories; however for those labo-
ratories needing to demonstrate compliance, an assessment to all requirements of Z540.3 will be pro-
vided upon specific written request. For more information, please contact Hershal Brewer at (562) 699-
0541, extension 3309.

Intertek and NTA Become First to Achieve IAS

Product Certification Agency Accreditation

Intertek, a global leader in testing, inspection and certifica-

tion, and NTA Inc., a U.S.-based quality assurance and mate-
rials testing agency, have earned IAS Product Certification
Agency Accreditation. The accreditation signifies that both of
these organizations are using the latest testing and inspection
methods, internationally approved standards, and state-of-the-
art equipment to certify products.
Intertek tests and certifies consumer products, commercial
products, commodities, raw materials and many other items Intertek Vice President Jeff Turcotte (center)
for manufacturers worldwide. Intertek also conducts research displays an IAS Certificate of Accreditation
with IAS Vice President Pat McCullen (left)
and testing aimed to establish vendor compliance with stan- and IAS President Chuck Ramani.
dards, so that their clients have confidence that certified prod-
ucts are safe and meet regulatory requirements.
NTA measures the structural performance of building materials and components using industry-
standard methods of evaluation, and develops custom methods if no standard test is available. In addi-
tion to testing, NTA's network of inspectors located across the United States assess manufacturers' in-
plant quality control procedures, ensuring consistent product quality.
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MQD Page 15

(Continued from page 14)

IAS conducted full evaluations of NTA's and Intertek's primary product certification facilities. The
accreditation criteria used to assess certification agencies include compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 65,
General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems; verification of regular
product manufacturing or assembly plant inspections; on-site surveillance assessments; on-site witness
inspections; and validation of data generated by manufacturers.
During the accreditation process, IAS evaluators and technical experts carefully assessed critical ele-
ments of both firm's product certification operations and quality management systems for conformance
with the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Product Certification Agencies (AC370).
David A. Tompos, president and director of Inspection Services for NTA, commented, "We believe
that IAS accreditation, and the accreditation process, raises the bar in our entire operation. Through
this effort, we ensure that we are operating to the highest standards and using best business practices in
delivering quality service to our customers. It actually makes us a better company."
Today, product manufacturers are under constant pressure to verify that their products have been inde-
pendently certified to industry safety standards. To ensure product acceptance and market access, veri-
fication must be by certification agencies that are independent, trusted and widely recognized. NTA
and Intertek both hold IAS Testing Laboratory Accreditation per AC89 and Inspection Agency Ac-
creditation per AC98.
"This is an outstanding achievement and demonstrates NTA's and Intertek's commitment to quality,"
said IAS President Chuck Ramani. "To achieve accreditation, both organizations underwent rigorous
assessments to verify that they operate under the highest ethical, legal and technical standards while
providing quality service to their customers."
World's Largest Structural Steel Tower Built on an IAS Foundation
The $600 million China Central Television (CCTV) Tower,
located in Beijing, China, will reportedly become the world's
largest structural steel building upon its completion in 2008.
This unique structure will stretch 102 stories into the air and
ultimately incorporate over 120 tons of structural steel, of
which every component has been fabricated and inspected in
a facility that meets the highest international standards.
The structural steel members and components are fabricated
and supplied by the Shanghai Grandtower Steel Structure Co., IAS was instrumental in the inspection and
steel fabrication used to build the CCTV tower.
Ltd. (SGSSC) (FA-396), which is an IAS-accredited com-
pany; meaning its in-plant inspection program for structural steel fabrication meets the highest stan-
dards as outlined in Section 1704.2.2 of the International Building Code. As part of this accreditation,
the fabricator is regularly audited by Smith-Emery Company (AA-554), an IAS-accredited, independ-
ent inspection agency, to confirm that SGSSC continues to operate in accordance with the IAS Ac-
creditation Criteria for Fabricator Inspection Programs for Structural Steel (AC172).
"The international best practice standards upheld by both the fabricator and the inspection agency of
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MQD Page 16

(Continued from page 15)

the Tower's steel materials sets a strong tone of quality and excellence for the entire project," stated
IAS Accreditation Officer Sandi McCracken. "We are proud that IAS fabrication inspection standards
have become an integral part of what will soon be an extraordinary architectural icon for Beijing."
The CCTV complex will serve as headquarters for all broadcasting activities. The country's largest TV
station, CCTV transmits a total of 270 hours of programming daily, reaching a domestic audience of
1.1 billion people, or 90 percent of the country's population. Signals from the 14 channels cover the
entire country via satellite. In addition, CCTV (International Channel) and CCTV (English Channel)
basically cover the whole world via satellite.
Submitted by Hershal Brewer

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 17

Donald S. Ermer

November 12, 1932 - December 13, 2007

Donald S. Ermer died on Thursday morning, Dec. 13, 2007, at Hospice Care in Madison. He was born
Nov. 12, 1932, in Milwaukee. Don graduated from UW-Madison in 1954, worked in industry, served in
the U.S. Army and then, fortunate to receive a Ford Foundation Fellowship, completed his doctorate in
mechanical engineering at UW-Madison in 1966. He and Phyllis Dettmann were married in 1959, dur-
ing his student days. Their two children, Ellen and Eric, were born in Madison. Don and his family
moved to State College, Pa. in 1966, where he was part of the faculty in the industrial engineering de-
partment at Penn State. When he joined the faculty at UW-Madison in 1971, he and his family wel-
comed the opportunity to return to their alma mater and native state. During the next years, as a member
of the ME department at UW-Madison, he established strong and lasting ties with the Far East, espe-
cially Singapore. Don and his family spent a year there while he taught and worked for UNIDO. Don is
well-known for his passion for quality at the UW and beyond. He worked with companies large and
small to improve their manufacturing processes. One of his major achievements was helping to establish
and promote the State of Wisconsin Forward Award. Don was a member of many professional societies
including the local chapter of the American Society of Quality. Don was a passionate sailor. He raced E-
scows, "the best ride in the world," with the Mendota Yacht Club and lately an Ultimate 20, thanks to a
number of dedicated and hard-working crew. In the winter, Don turned to iceboating and raced a Nite
with the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. When neither of those would do, there was a windsurfer under the
front porch or he'd look for a ride with someone from the Hoofers Sailing Club. He was a member of the
Advent Lutheran Church/Madison Christian Community. Don retired in 2002 from the UW ME and IE
departments, where he was Proctor and Gamble Professor in total quality. He was quick to admit that he
"flunked retirement," as his interest in mentoring students and their projects always drew him back to his
office on campus or a meeting on the Memorial Union terrace. Don is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 48
years; daughter, Ellen; and her children, Erik and Elyse; son, Eric (Gayle); and their children, Daniel,
Brett and Samantha; his brother, Kenneth (Becky); and sister-in-law, Carla (Joseph) Moha. The family
thanks the Physicians Plus Oncology Department and friends who unselfishly helped Phyllis care for
Don at home during these last few months. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to the Treas-
ury of Love Fund, Advent Lutheran Church; Habitat for Humanity of Madison; UW Mechanical and
Industrial Engineering Building Fund; or a charity of choice. Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until 6
p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road. Funeral services
were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, at ADVENT LUTHERAN CHURCH.

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 18

MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Chair, Program Chair Standards Committee Representative
Dilip A. Shah Robert M. Graham
E = mc3 Solutions Primary AC Standards Lab
197 Great Oaks Trail #130 Sandia National Laboratories
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215 P.O. Box 5800, M.S. 0665
Voice (330) 328-4400 / Fax (330) 336-3974 Albuquerque, NM 87185-0665
E-mail: emc3solu@aol.com, dashah@aol.com Phone: (505) 845-0434
Fax: (505) 844-6096
Chair-Elect E-mail: rmgraha@sandia.gov
Craig (Woody) Niemann
1489 Pheasant Run Dr.
Newark, OH 43055-8046 Examining Chair
Voice (740) 788-5034 Duane Allen
E-mail: Craig.Niemann@afmetcal.af.mil U. S. Navy
P.O. Box 5000, Code MS11
Secretary, Certification Chair, Website Corona, CA 92878-5000
Manager, NCSL International Representative Voice (909) 273-4783 / Fax (909) 273-4599
Christopher L. Grachanen E-mail: duane.allen@navy.mil
Manager, Houston Metrology Group HP
P. O. Box 692000 MS070110
Houston, TX 77269-2000 Historian
Voice (281) 518-8486 / Fax (281) 518-7275 Keela Sniadach
E-mail: Chris.Grachanen@hp.com Promega Corp.
5445 East Cheryl Parkway
Treasurer, Publication Chair, Newsletter Madison, WI 53711
Editor/Publisher, Share Point Administrator Voice (608) 298-4681 / Fax (608) 277-2516
Jay L. Bucher E-mail: keela.sniadach@promega.com
Bucherview Metrology Services
6700 Royal View Dr.
De Forest, WI 53532-2775 ASQ Division Administrator
Voice (608) 277-2522 / Fax (608) 846-4269 Ms. Leta Thrasher
E-mail: yokota-69@charter.net or Voice (800) 248-1946, x7423
Jay.Bucher@Bucherview-Metrology.com E-mail: lthrasher@asq.org

Immediate Past Chair, Nominating Chair

Graeme C. Payne
GK Systems, Inc.
4440 Weston Drive SW, Suite B
Lilburn, GA 30047 USA
Voice: (770) 931-4004 / Fax (866) 887-9344
E-mail: Graeme@gksystems.biz

Joe Simmons Scholarship

Norm Belecki
7413 Mill Run Dr
Derwood, MD 20855-1156
Voice (301) 869-4520
E-mail: n.belecki@ieee.org

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 19

ASQ MEASUREMENT QUALITY DIVISION REGIONAL COUNCILORS

Regional Councilors represent the Division to members and Sections in their

geographic areas. Regional Councilors are appointed for renewable two-year
terms, and are advisory members of the Division leadership team.
Region 1 (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) Region 9 (IN, KY, OH)
Mr. Jun Bautista Mr. Ryan Fischer, ASQ CCT
Genzyme Laboratory Accreditation Bureau
Cambridge, MA 02142 New Haven, IN 46774
E-mail: Jun.Bautista@genzyme.com E-mail: rfischer@l-a-b.com

Region 2 (NJ, NY, PA) Region 10 (OH, MI)

Volunteer Opportunity! Mark J. Schoenlein
E-mail: Mark.Schoenlein@us.o-i.com
Region 3 (CT, NJ, NY)
Region 11 (NC, SC, TN, VA)
Mr. Eduardo M. Heidelberg
Volunteer Opportunity!
Pfizer
Parlin, NJ 08859
E-mail: eheidelb@yahoo.com Region 12 (IL, MN, ND, SD, WI)
Jay L. Bucher, ASQ Sr. Member, CCT
Region 4 (Canada) Bucherview Metrology Services, LLC
Mr. Alexander T. C. Lau De Forest, WI 53532
ExxonMobil E-mail: yokota-69@charter.net
Whitby, ON L1R 1R1
E-mail: alex.t.lau@exxonmobil.com Region 13 (CO, IA, KS, MO, NE, SD, WY)
Region 5 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA) Volunteer Opportunity!
Mr. Richard A. Litts Region 14 (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, part of
Litts Quality Technologies Mexico)
Downington, PA 19335
E-mail: info@littsquality.com Mr. R. Keith Bennett
TRANSCAT
Region 6 (AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, Kingwood, TX 77339
WY) E-mail: kbennett@transcat.com
Volunteer Opportunity!
Region 15 (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, Puerto Rico)
Region 7 (AZ, CA, NV, part of Mexico) Mr. E. Bryan Miller
Mr. Randy D. Farmer ASQ Fellow
Metrology Solutions Bryan Miller Consulting
Chula Vista, CA 91913 Florence, AL 35633
E-mail: farmerrd2@cox.net E-mail: milleb@mindspring.com

Region 8 (OH, PA) Region 25 (all other countries)

Dilip A. Shah Volunteer Opportunity!
E = mc3 Solutions
Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8215
E-mail:emc3solu@aol.com, dashah@aol.com

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
MQD Page 20

Vol. 22, No. 1 The Newsletter of the Measurement Quality Division, American Society for Quality March 2008
 11627 Coldwater Rd., Ste. 101
Fort Wayne, IN 46845
Tel: (260) 637-2705 Fax: (260) 637-2791
www.L-A-B.com

December 7, 2007

NEWS RELEASE: Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (L-A-B) Becomes a Signatory to APLAC MRA

(Fort Wayne, IN) Laboratory Accreditation Bureau is pleased to announce that it has become a
signatory to the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) Mutual Recognition
Arrangement (MRA) effective December 6, 2007, after formal recognition at the recent APLAC meeting
in Malaysia. L-A-B now advances to be a full member of the International Laboratory Accreditation
Cooperation (ILAC) whereby L-A-B will recognize, and be fully recognized by, the 58 ILAC signatories
worldwide.

Signatories of ILAC and the APLAC MRA accredit laboratories to the International Standard ISO/IEC
17025: General Requirements for the Operation of Calibration and Testing Laboratories. Current
United States signatories are: 1) the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), 2)
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), 3) International Accreditation Services
(IAS) and 4) ACLASS Accreditation Services (ACLASS). Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (L-A-B) is
the 5th accreditation body recognized by APLAC in the United States.

L-A-B Managing Director, Doug Leonard, stated: “We appreciate the efforts and hard work of our
L-A-B staff, accredited laboratories and advisors in achieving this recognition. We all look forward to
continuing to conduct effective, efficient and highly competent calibration and testing laboratory
assessments.”

CONTACT: Douglas Leonard

Laboratory Accreditation Bureau
11627 Coldwater Road, Suite 101
Fort Wayne, IN 46845

Tel: (260) 637-2705

Email: dleonard@l-a-b.com
Website: www.L-A-B.com