Laboratory Accreditation & Certifications
DNA Testing Backed by Recognized Laboratory Standards
Accurate DNA testing depends on more than sophisticated technology. It requires qualified laboratory professionals, validated testing methods, rigorous quality-control procedures, properly maintained equipment, and ongoing independent evaluation.
DNA Test Answers partners with established DNA laboratories that maintain recognized accreditations, certifications, and proficiency testing programs for the services they perform.
These independent programs help ensure that testing is performed according to established scientific and laboratory quality standards.
Why Laboratory Accreditation Matters
Laboratory accreditation provides independent verification that a laboratory has demonstrated competency in specific areas of testing.
Depending on the accreditation program, laboratories may undergo:
Independent laboratory inspections
Review of testing procedures and methodologies
Proficiency testing
Evaluation of laboratory personnel and technical competency
Equipment calibration and maintenance requirements
Quality-management reviews
Documentation and recordkeeping requirements
Periodic reassessment and renewal
For DNA testing, these standards are particularly important because the results may be used to answer significant questions involving paternity, biological relationships, forensic evidence, immigration, and legal matters.
Our laboratory partners participate in multiple accreditation and quality programs applicable to the DNA testing services they perform.
AABB Accreditation
Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies
AABB accreditation is one of the most recognized standards for relationship DNA testing in the United States.
AABB-accredited relationship testing laboratories undergo an extensive accreditation process designed to evaluate laboratory procedures, quality systems, personnel qualifications, testing methods, and other aspects of relationship DNA testing.
Accredited laboratories also participate in proficiency testing and undergo periodic assessments to maintain accreditation.
AABB accreditation is particularly important for legal and immigration relationship DNA testing, where documented laboratory procedures and chain-of-custody requirements must be followed.
Our laboratory partners maintain AABB accreditation for Relationship DNA Testing.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation – ANAB
ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
ANAB is an internationally recognized accreditation body that assesses laboratories against established technical and quality standards.
Our laboratory partners maintains ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation through ANAB for Forensic DNA Testing.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard used to evaluate the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation evaluates areas such as:
Technical competency
Testing methodology
Sample handling and preparation
Laboratory equipment
Quality-control procedures
Personnel competency
Recordkeeping
Reporting procedures
This accreditation provides independent verification that the laboratory has demonstrated competency for the specific testing activities included within its accredited scope.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Accreditation – A2LA
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
A2LA is a nonprofit accreditation body that evaluates laboratories against internationally recognized standards for technical competency and laboratory quality.
Our laboratory partner maintains ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation through A2LA for Relationship DNA Testing.
The accreditation process evaluates both the laboratory's quality-management system and its technical ability to perform the testing included within its accredited scope.
Areas evaluated may include:
Technical competence
Testing procedures
Validation of laboratory methods
Equipment and measurement traceability
Personnel qualifications and competency
Quality assurance
Documentation and reporting
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation provides an internationally recognized framework for demonstrating laboratory competence and consistency.
United Kingdom Ministry of Justice
Recognized DNA Testing for UK Court Proceedings
The United Kingdom Ministry of Justice (MoJ) maintains requirements for DNA testing laboratories whose results may be used in qualifying UK legal proceedings.
Approved laboratories must meet applicable standards governing DNA testing, laboratory quality, and the handling of samples used for legal purposes.
Our laboratory partner is recognized for qualifying DNA testing under the UK Ministry of Justice framework.
This may be relevant when DNA testing is required for matters involving UK courts or other official proceedings.
College of American Pathologists (CAP)
Laboratory Proficiency Testing
The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a widely recognized organization dedicated to advancing quality in pathology and laboratory medicine.
Our laboratory partner participates in CAP proficiency testing.
Proficiency testing provides an independent method of evaluating laboratory performance. Laboratories receive samples for analysis and their results are evaluated against established criteria and/or results from participating laboratories.
Ongoing proficiency testing provides an additional layer of external quality assessment for laboratory procedures and personnel.
ISO Quality Management Standards
ISO standards provide internationally recognized frameworks for laboratory quality and technical competence.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 specifically addresses the competence of testing and calibration laboratories and incorporates quality-management principles alongside technical laboratory requirements.
Our laboratory partners' ISO/IEC 17025 accreditations help demonstrate that both laboratory management systems and technical testing procedures are subject to independent assessment.
This provides additional assurance that testing is conducted according to documented, controlled, and internationally recognized laboratory practices.
International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
International Recognition of Accredited Laboratory Testing
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) supports international recognition of laboratory accreditation through the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA).
Rather than directly accrediting individual laboratories, ILAC establishes an international framework through which accreditation bodies recognize one another's accreditation systems.
Our laboratory partner's ISO/IEC 17025 accreditations through ANAB and A2LA can be verified through accreditation bodies participating in the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement.
This international framework helps promote confidence in accredited laboratory results across national borders.
EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
Standards for International Data Privacy
In addition to laboratory quality standards, protecting personal information is an important part of DNA testing.
Our laboratory partner participates in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (EU-U.S. DPF) and its UK Extension, which were developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce in cooperation with the European Commission and UK Government.
These frameworks provide mechanisms for participating U.S. organizations to receive qualifying personal data from the European Union, European Economic Area, and United Kingdom while meeting applicable data-protection requirements.
Participation requires organizations to commit to specified privacy principles and complete applicable certification requirements.
Accreditation for Relationship DNA Testing
Relationship DNA testing includes services such as:
Other biological relationship testing
Our laboratory partners maintain applicable accreditations for relationship DNA testing, including AABB and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation through A2LA.
For legal DNA testing, additional identity verification and documented chain-of-custody procedures are required.
Explore Relationship DNA Testing
Accreditation for Forensic DNA Testing
Forensic DNA testing can involve different laboratory procedures than standard cheek-swab relationship testing, particularly when DNA must be recovered from non-standard samples or biological evidence.
Our laboratory partner maintains ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation through ANAB for Forensic DNA Testing within its accredited scope.
This accreditation evaluates the laboratory's technical competency and quality systems for the forensic testing activities covered by that scope.
What Accreditation Means for Your DNA Test
Accreditation isn't simply a logo displayed on a website.
Maintaining laboratory accreditation requires ongoing attention to the procedures and systems that affect the quality of DNA testing, including:
Qualified Laboratory Professionals
Personnel must meet applicable education, training, and competency requirements.
Validated Testing Methods
Laboratory methods must be appropriately established, validated, documented, and controlled.
Quality-Control Procedures
Laboratories maintain systems designed to identify and prevent errors throughout the testing process.
Proficiency Testing
External proficiency programs can independently evaluate laboratory testing performance.
Equipment Standards
Laboratory equipment must be properly maintained, monitored, and calibrated as required.
Documented Procedures
Testing and quality procedures must be documented and consistently followed.
Independent Assessment
Accredited laboratories undergo external assessment to demonstrate continued compliance with applicable standards.
Trusted Laboratory Testing
At the core of everything we do is one simple principle: accurate answers matter.
DNA Test Answers works with experienced laboratory partners that process DNA samples using established scientific methods, rigorous quality-control procedures, and recognized laboratory standards.
Our laboratory partners' participation in multiple accreditation and proficiency programs provides independent oversight of the people, procedures, equipment, and quality systems behind the testing services we offer.
Whether you are seeking answers about paternity, another biological relationship, or forensic DNA evidence, you can be confident that your samples are analyzed by experienced laboratory professionals committed to scientific quality.
Questions About the Laboratory or Accreditations?
We understand that choosing a DNA testing company is an important decision.
If you have questions about laboratory accreditation, testing procedures, legal testing requirements, or which DNA test is appropriate for your situation, our DNA experts are available to help.
Explore Our DNA Testing Services
Home Paternity DNA Test includes:
Easy to follow instructions
Sterile buccal collection swabs per person
Sample envelopes for each person involved
Consent form
Prepaid return label to our laboratory. (USA Only)
Select from test options below: