Each year, National Asbestos Awareness Week serves as a vital reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by asbestos, a hazardous material still present in many buildings, infrastructure, and products. For NATA, this week (Nov 24-Dec 1) provides an opportunity to highlight advances in asbestos safety, testing standards, and accredited laboratories’ essential role in identifying and managing asbestos hazards. As Australia’s leading accreditation authority, NATA remains deeply committed to supporting the asbestos management community through rigorous standards and expert insights.
In addition to our commitment to safety and quality, in 2023, NATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Victorian Asbestos Eradication Agency (VAEA). This partnership enhances our ability to promote asbestos safety and contributes to the ongoing well-being of all involved.
A key focus this year is on accreditation to the newly introduced AS 5370 standard, which aligns Australia with global best practices by adopting international standards for identifying asbestos in bulk materials. Through NATA’s accreditation process for AS 5370, testing laboratories will be better positioned to address both current and emerging challenges in asbestos detection and management.
Additionally, NATA is pleased to announce that Neil Shepherd, NATA’s Sector Manager for Life Sciences, will participate in the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH) Asbestos Awareness Week webinar, “Asbestos and Silica: What’s New for 2025.” The webinar will take place on November 21, from 4-6 pm AEDT, and will feature Shepherd’s presentation, “Gaining NATA Accreditation for AS 5370”. Providing valuable insights into the accreditation process and the importance of AS 5370 in supporting the safe and accurate identification of asbestos.
Reserve your spot now