NATA is the authority responsible for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, calibration services, producers of certified reference materials and proficiency testing scheme providers throughout Australia. It is also Australia’s compliance monitoring authority for the OECD Principles of GLP. 

NATA provides independent assurance of technical capability through independent or third party recognition against international management standards, for clients who require confidence in the delivery of their products and services. NATA’s work increases community confidence and trust in a facility’s services, mitigates risk, improves tendering success and facilitates trade.  

Through its Research and Development (R&D) Program, NATA provides: ·             A means of assuring stakeholders of the capability of research laboratories;

·             The traceability of measurements made; and

·             The integrity of records supporting research conclusions.

R&D accreditation is a vehicle to establish a high level of trust and confidence with research stakeholders such as collaborators and funding bodies, in outputs and hence the effective use of funding. It ensures robustness in research processes whilst not hindering or constraining the freedom and direction of research. 

NATA represents Australia in the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Cooperation (APLAC) and on the OECD working group on Good Laboratory Practice. NATA is recognised for its roles by the Australian Commonwealth Government in a Memorandum of Understanding.