INTRODUCTION

1. The aeronautical systems / equipment for Defence use will undergo a large number of tests as a part of QTP & ATP before the equipment is considered suitable for use. The range of tests being so wide, some tests are required to be conducted at private laboratories. A number of test laboratories in private sector, have started operating in the country with an impressive array of test facilities. The need was, therefore, felt to approve suitable laboratories pertaining to different disciplines in different parts of the country to avail their test facilities in order to facilitate indigenization and quality assurance of aeronautical equipment.

2. Thus, a system to assess and approve certain test laboratories was intended to be evolved. Accordingly, a document titled “General criteria for the assessment of testing laboratories” was prepared in July 1993. The approval of test laboratory was being undertaken by DGAQA based on requests as per the above referred document but was kept as a low key activity owing to time & manpower constraints. In 1999 CEMILAC also initiated test house approvals, but presently is not able to sustain and support this activity with limited resources and has requested DGAQA to take-up approval of test laboratories which have approached it for fresh as well as renewal of approvals.

3. In view of the above, a document (SOP) has been prepared as per latest ISO / IEC 17025 (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) to provide guidelines for approval of test laboratories.