Impartiality and independence
ALT answers one question: did it perform, and by how much. We do not answer how to make it perform better, because a laboratory that designs the product and then certifies it is not a laboratory.
- ALT does not sell, design, specify or supply the products it tests.
- ALT does not advise clients on how to modify a product to achieve a target result.
- Laboratory results are not influenced by who developed the specimen, or by whether the client has engaged any consultant.
- Where a client needs design or remediation advice, we refer to independent acoustic consultants of the client's own choosing. We suggest more than one, and we take no referral fee.
- Personnel are not remunerated in any way that depends on the outcome of a measurement.
- Any relationship that could be perceived as a threat to impartiality is identified, recorded and managed, in line with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 4.1.
Example
Prototype A is measured at Rw 42 dB. We report that. A consultant of the client's choosing investigates why and recommends changes. Prototype B arrives and we measure it independently at Rw 47 dB. We report that too. At no point did we have a view on what the answer should be.