The Metrology Society of Australasia (MSA) recently held its 2025 conference in Sydney. In addition to exhibiting at the event, several key figures from NATA were invited to share their thoughts and insights around accreditation from the metrology perspective.
The future of accreditation
NATA CEO, Jennifer Evans, delivered a keynote about how accreditation’s foundational principles developed over seven decades ago remain relevant today as they adapt to new challenges and evolving demands. She reflected on NATA’s legacy as Australia’s first accreditation body and its global impact, which continues to grow through initiatives like virtual assessments, digital accreditation and conformity assessment data, and mutual global recognition.
Evans also discussed the vital role of accreditation as part of a chain of custody that underpins consumer protection and builds public trust. She noted that with the upcoming formation of GLOBAC, the convergence of digital trade standards, and the integration of AI, accreditation will continue to empower safe and reliable supply chains, and remain an enabler, shaping a future where quality and transparency thrive.
NATA/IANZ workshop
NATA Sector Manager, Paul McMullen, participated in a NATA/IANZ Workshop on measurement-related ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. In it, he shared his expertise on the standard and its interpretation by Accreditation Bodies, and promoted discussions with the participants.
The workshop helped clarify common issues related to accreditation, especially from the point of view of calibration laboratories. These included meeting Proficiency Testing requirements, method validation, formulating calibration and measurement capabilities, and decision rules.
Metrology 101
NATA Lead Accreditation Specialist, Mary Ryan, participated in a two-part Metrology 101 session that provided an introduction to the fundamentals of the International System of Units (SI), as well as essential information related to laboratory practice, and gaining and maintaining laboratory accreditation.
Part 1 provided an introduction to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the Metre Convention, the SI system, and more. Part 2 provided an introduction to measurement uncertainty, and then an introduction to laboratory practice and laboratory accreditation from the view of an accreditation body (presented by Mary Ryan), a laboratory accreditation consultant, and a laboratory.
Start your NATA journey today
For organisations that do not have accreditation by NATA, the conference was an opportunity to find out about the benefits of doing so directly from some of our experts. If you are keen to be accredited and give consumers the assurance they need to make safe, healthy, and reliable choices, visit our Accreditation section on our website.
The conference was also an opportunity for us to talk with industry experts and see if they are interested in lending their specialist knowledge and expertise in assessing laboratories as a a volunteer Technical Assessor (TA). If you have an interest, visit our Careers page on the website to find out more.