Get a glimpse inside November’s Virtual Technical Exchange’s Mastering Laboratory Management Panel Discussion. In this episode, we take clips from that session to share insights from industry professionals Zack McKay, Joesph Kerstetter, Kishore Kotha, and Seth Winters.

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Brian and Kim discuss the newly redesigned AAP Procedures Manual. It presents the requirements of the AASHTO Accreditation Program in a new format that is easier to read and understand. This new version integrates the old procedures manual with the newer policy and guidance documents that AASHTO re:source had been issuing on its website. It also includes helpful links that can take the reader to other documents or websites to learn more.

There are also additions to the procedures manual that are the result of AASHTO re:source Administrative Task Group (ATG) precedents that are not being stated directly in this document to promote transparency such as more specific language about the minimum acceptable situations for approval of situations in which management is provided to more than one facility and other shared personnel situations.

Due to the release of this new version, a few of the policy and guidance documents were retired and others revised because the content was incorporated into the main body of the procedures manual. There will still be policy and guidance documents that explain some of the requirements in greater detail, but the intent is to incorporate the requirements into the procedures manual where possible.

The organization of the procedures manual is intended to present some of the essential information that everyone needs to know up front, and then starting in Section 7, it takes the reader through the accreditation process.

Starting in Section 14, the procedures manual starts to describe other situations that could be of interest like ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, project laboratories, and mobile laboratories.

Finally, there are other important topics explained like confidentiality, external complaints, refusal of service, and information about certificates of accreditation, accreditation directory listings and how to properly promote laboratory accreditation.

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Pete Unger takes us behind the curtain of the global laboratory accreditation system that quietly protects our everyday safety. With nearly five decades of experience, Pete reveals how a problem with redundant product testing in the 1970s sparked an international movement that revolutionized how we ensure quality in construction materials and beyond.

The conversation unravels the fascinating evolution of laboratory standards from early negotiations between the US and Denmark to today's sophisticated global network. Pete, who helped write the original ISO Guide 25 (predecessor to ISO/IEC 17025) and chaired ILAC for nine years, shares insider perspectives on how these systems developed and why they matter. His firsthand accounts of international diplomacy and standards development provide rare insights into a system most people never think about.

What makes this discussion particularly compelling is Pete's candid explanation of how accreditation prevents dangerous practices. He recounts troubling examples of laboratories that would test just one concrete cylinder but report values for three - shortcuts that could lead to catastrophic structural failures. These stories highlight the real-world importance of proper testing oversight, especially in construction where lives depend on accurate results.

The episode also demystifies complex topics like Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and Multilateral Agreements (MLAs), explaining how they facilitate international trade while maintaining quality standards. Pete's work with organizations like the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board demonstrates how these agreements eliminate redundant testing of products crossing borders, saving money without compromising safety.

Whether you work in quality assurance, construction, international trade, or simply care about the safety of the buildings and bridges you use daily, this conversation offers valuable perspective on the hidden systems that protect public safety. As Pete emphasizes, accreditation isn't about bureaucracy – it's about ensuring that when test results matter, they're reliable every time.

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Have questions, comments, or want to be a guest on an upcoming episode? Email podcast@aashtoresource.org.

Related information on this and other episodes can be found at aashtoresource.org.