Accreditation / Compliance

Trace Laboratories is a fully accredited, international, independent testing facility. We are accredited through the following organizations:

A2LA

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation

The accreditation covers the specific tests and types of tests listed on the agreed scope of accreditation. This credential includes the important assessment to the ISO/IEC 17025 "General Requirements for the Competence of Calibration and Testing Laboratories" (equivalent to relevant requirements of the ISO 9000 series of standards) and any additional program requirements in the identified field of testing.

Chemical Testing:
Trace Baltimore Certificate Number 1251.03

Electrical Testing:
Trace Chicago Certificate Number 0294-01
Trace Baltimore Certificate Number 1251.02

Mechanical Testing:
Trace Chicago Certificate Number: 0294-02
Trace Baltimore Certificate Number 1251.01

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Department of Defense

Commercial Laboratory Suitability
Acceptable Laboratory Retention Information Submission, FSC 5998

Trace Laboratories - Baltimore has been approved by DLA for testing under the following specifications:

• MIL-PRF-55110 and MIL-P-55110, General Specification for Rigid Printed Wiring Boards
• MIL-P-50884, General Specification for Flexible or Rigid-Flex Printed Wiring Boards
• MIL-I-46058, Insulating Compound, Electrical (For Coating Printed Circuit Assemblies
• MIL-F-14256, Flux, Soldering, Liquid, Paste Flux, Solder
• MIL-A-28870, General Specification For Assemblies, Electrical Backplane, Printed Wiring
• MIL-STD-883, Method 5011, Microcircuits Test Method Standard
• MIL-PRF-31032, General Specification For Printed Circuit Board/Printed Wiring Board
• MIL-STD-202, Electronic & Electrical Component Parts Test Method Standard, Methods Include
• 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 111
• 207, 208, 210, 211, 212 and 215
• 301, 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 311 and 312

Trace-Baltimore also performs various end product qualifications and FAI's (First Article Inspections) in accordance with appropriate military specifications and government-supplier agreed upon FAT (First Article Test) plans.

Trace Laboratories - Chicago has been approved by DLA for testing under the following specifications:

• MIL-PRF-55110 and MIL-P-55110, General Specification for Rigid Printed Wiring Boards
• MIL-P-50884, General Specification for Flexible or Rigid-Flex Printed Wiring Boards
• MIL-PRF-31032, General Specification For Printed Circuit Board/Printed Wiring Board
• MIL-55302, Detail Specification For Connectors, Printed Circuit Subassembly and Accessories
• MIL-STD-202, Electronic & Electrical Component Parts Test Method Standard, Methods Include
• 101, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 and 111
• 201, 204, 208, 210, 211, 213, 214, and 215
• 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, and 310
• MIL-STD-1344, Test Methods for Electrical Connectors
• 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1011, 1016, and 1017
• 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019
• 3001, 3002, 3003, 3006, and 3007

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ISO

ISO 9001

Trace Laboratories is compliant with the ISO 9001 standard of quality. We believe ISO-9001 Compliance is a fundamental necessity for doing business in the world market today. Furthermore, the day-to-day business of testing and analysis is structured around the documentation and procedural monitoring required by the ISO-9000 series of standards.

ISO 17025

The ISO 17025: "General requirements for the competence of calibration and testing laboratories," is the internationally recognized basic document for accreditation of laboratories. Trace Laboratories has been accredited to ISO 17025 in the field of Electrical, Mechanical, and Chemical testing by A2LA. Please see our A2LA certificates for further information.

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ITAR

Any person who engages in.the United States in the business of either manufacturing or exporting defense articles or furnishing defense services is required to register and keep their registration current with this Office pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations QT AR Part 122). Registration serves as a precondition to submitting an application for an export license or other approval from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), or to use of export exemptions.

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MDE

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Certification (Certificate #318)

With the acquisition of Cassell Testing in 2006 which was Maryland’s premier drinking water service provider, Trace began offering a full range of EPA methods covering all aspects of drinking and wastewater analysis. In addition to laboratory services, Trace also provides full service sampling capabilities by a team of Maryland certified samplers.

Trace Laboratories, Inc. maintains a Drinking Water Laboratory Certification issued through the Maryland Department of the Environment. The certificate encompasses chemical and microbiological analysis. Our clients are composed of private industries, municipalities, builders, realtors, and consumers. Trace’s environmental team of analysts and samplers are at your service to meet your water testing needs.

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UL

UL Client Agent Program

The Underwriters Laboratories Client Agent Program is a natural extension of our services and allows Trace-Baltimore to provide test data which will act as a significant portion of the information base for UL review and ultimate approval. The advantages to customers utilizing Trace-Baltimore for testing can be significant. We provide our UL related clients with unmatched value resulting from significantly reduced turnaround and the service capabilities our customers have come to expect.

The first phase of the process begins with a simple notification of your intention to seek UL Recognition of a given product. This notification, along with completion of the Agency Authorization Notification Form L37, will allow Trace to act in your behalf regarding all interactions with Underwriters Laboratories. Trace personnel will then have the opportunity to provide two distinct services to you, the client. One option will allow us to coordinate and expedite all administrative aspects of your product recognition, alleviating you of the long and time consuming process. The second option will allow us to perform the product testing right in our facility. Situations where time is the critical element for product development, our service provides a means to expedite the complete recognition process. This program was developed to provide clients with an alternative process specifically geared towards to time saving advantages regarding product recognition.

Our scope of certification includes all areas of polymeric materials, plastics and printed wiring board testing, governed by UL-94, UL-1694, UL-746A through E, UL-796 and UL796F; including both Long and Short Term Aging properties.

As always, our goal is to meet clients' current and future needs. We believe diversification into UL related programs enhances our offering and expands our scope. Furthermore, diversification allows Trace Laboratories - Baltimore to continue providing our customers with the ultimate product ... confidence.

We share a common belief that quality and safety should be a fundamental prerequisite for any product.

As leaders in our field, Trace-Baltimore is continually searching for better and more effective solutions to test/analysis issues.

UL Third Party Test Data Program

Twenty years ago Trace Laboratories - Baltimore performed its first formal test program under what is now known as the UL Third Party Test Data Program. Over the years we have developed a working relationship with Underwriters Laboratories and its field engineers advancing into the Client Agent Program. Today we are positioned to offer what many consider to be the best value in the industry.

Trace Laboratories - Baltimore's diversity allows us to offer our customers a variety of test and administrative services, aimed at reducing testing turnaround and ultimately time-to-market for new and/or improved products.

Electrical Testing
You've seen it on literally every electronic device you own – the UL mark. Trace Laboratories - Baltimore can help you achieve this critical and fundamental credential. Our electrical capabilities include: Dielectric Strength, Hot Wire Ignition, Dielectric Constant and Dissipation Factor, Arc Tracking, Current Rating, and many others.

Short and Long Term Aging
Working in conjunction with our customers and the UL project engineers, Trace Laboratories-Baltimore can guarantee concrete recognition of any material at the 5000hr. interval. In addition, our large oven capacity ensures proper airflow and eliminates conditioning inconsistencies a critical factor when weeks of data could be rendered meaningless and time lost due to improper aging.

Flammability Testing
Regarded as the standard for safety testing throughout the world, UL flammability encompasses a diverse range of methodologies and requirements. Our services at Trace Laboratories-Baltimore include methods covered under the UL 94 standard. We also perform several of the more demanding requirements, including small component testing in accordance with UL1694 and Oxygen Index.

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