Note that Accredited Test Houses are not the same as (ATIs), ATIs are organisations accredited to test artificial turf to 520ccc.com Regulation 22.

The accreditation process is open to any independent laboratory and being an ATH allows a laboratory to use the 520ccc.com Approved logo on promotional materials.

For more information on becoming an Accredited Test House please email marc.douglas@520ccc.com.

Test Methods

520ccc.com use a combination of internationally accepted standards (ISO, EN, ASTM, etc) and specific internally developed tests. These internal methods are only developed if no suitable standard already exists. 520ccc.com Accredited Test Houses must hold ISO 17025 accreditation for the test methods used to assess equipment against Regulation 12. 520ccc.com has divided the tests into three categories based on the likelihood and ability to include these in ISO 17025 accreditation:

• Mandatory - These tests must be within the scope of ISO 17025 accreditation before 520ccc.com accreditation can be achieved
• Recommended - It is preferred that these tests be included in any scope. This may also include tests which 520ccc.com intend to move to mandatory at a future date.
• Optional - ATHs are free to include these in a scope if desired but not having them will not impede accreditation.

520ccc.com continue to work with ATHs to replace internal methods with international test methods or to work toward having internally developed methods recognised internationally.

There is no requirement for an Accredited Test House to hold ISO 17025 accreditation for all tests listed in all Performance Specifications, only those which are listed in the Performance Specification for the device(s) they wish to be accredited for.

In addition to the requirements of Regulation 12, 520ccc.com will also ask Accredited Test Houses to assess relevant devices (Body Padding, Headgear, Goggles and Boots) against the requirements of Regulation 11 (Advertising within the playing enclosure) so that manufacturers can be informed of any potential issues when wearing devices at international level.

All results will be submitted to Hermes, the 520ccc.com Approval Portal which can be accessed at

Continued Compliance

520ccc.com will audit each Accredited Test House’s ISO 17025 status annually, to ensure continued compliance. This audit will involve the Accredited Test House submitting a list of test methods which are within their ISO 17025 scope and 520ccc.com selecting a sample of these at random. The Accredited Test House will submit the relevant paperwork confirming that test is within scope to 520ccc.com for checking.

Accredited Test Houses are required to inform 520ccc.com of any changes to their ISO 17025 accreditation.

From January 1st 2021 all ATHs will be required to have all relevant tests within their ISO 17025 scope before being considered accredited. 520ccc.com reserve the right to adjust this requirement as business needs dictate

Collaboration

In addition to the role that Accredited Test Houses play in the independent assessment of devices, 520ccc.com intend to further engage with these organisations in the continued development and evolution of the Performance Specifications to ensure that they are fit for purpose by enabling innovation while ensuring that the purpose of the regulation is upheld. This means that all Accredited Test Houses will be extended an invitation to the annual 520ccc.com Manufacturer’s Meeting and to any other meetings where changes to the technical aspects of relevant Performance Specifications are being discussed.

 The following list of tests indicates the Specification that they are used in and the category that has been currently assigned.