KRISO Obtains Expanded KOLAS International Testing Laboratory Accreditation

▶ Renewed accreditation once again after 2014 and 2018... with expanded scope of accreditation

▶ Only accredited underwater pressure testing laboratory in Korea, helping improve reliabiility in maritime equipment

□ The Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean engineering (hereinafter KRISO, President Booki Kim) announced on the 17th that its accreditation as an international testing laboratory in the field of underwater pressure testing had been renewed and expanded by the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS).

□ KOLAS accredits international testing laboratories by performing conformity assessments of quality systems, facilities and equipment, as well as technical capabilities according to international standards (ISO/IEC 17025) and domestic standards (KS Q ISO/IEC 17025). Reports issued by an internationally accredited testing laboratory are mutually recognized among 102 accredited institutions in 104 nations signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA), meaning that they are equivalent in effect to a report issued by any of the accredited institutions.

□ Since its initial accreditation in 2014, KRISO has been renewing its status as an internationally accredited testing laboratory every 4 years. This time, KRISO expanded its scope of accreditation in the fields of e-Nav display performance testing and environmental testing (temperature, humidity).

□ e-Nav displays are maritime navigation devices for ship safety. KRISO became the designated testing body for e-Nav display type approval in 2020, and expanded its international credibility to e-Nav software performance testing with this renewal.

□ KRISO also expanded its scope of accreditation to temperature and humidity, as Korea’s only accredited testing laboratory for underwater pressure testing. This means that it is now capable of performing more intensive reliability assessments on ship and offshore plant equipment through envionmental tests combining underwater pressure, temperature and humidity testing.

□ This accreditation means that KRISO can now perform conformity assessments for 26 standards, including △ 6 standards in underwater pressure performance testing, △ 2 standards in corrosion testing, △ 2 standards in material property testing of metalslic materials, △ 1 standard in e-Nav display testing, and △ 15 standards in temperature and humidity testing.

□ Team Leader Hyukjin Choi of the Conformity Assessment Team commented, “KRISO will continue to expand its conformity assessment categories, making full use of its professional manpower and wide-ranging testing equipment.”

□ More information on KRISO testing procedures and list of tests performed can be found on the KRISO website.

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