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Approval Services Laboratory

What is the Approval Services Laboratory?
Must each and every single measuring device used in trade be submitted to the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) in Ottawa for approval?
Does the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) recognize test results obtained through third party laboratories?

What is the Approval Services Laboratory?
The Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) is part of Measurement Canada. The laboratory evaluates and tests measuring devices intended for use in trade, to ensure that they comply with the law. The ASL is located at the Standards Building in Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario.

Must each and every single measuring device used in trade be submitted to the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) in Ottawa for approval?
No. The ASL is concerned with approving the model of a measuring device which is intended to be used in trade. This is normally done by testing a representative sample of the model to be approved.
Sometimes the difference between models is so slight that the laboratory need only test a few models in order to approve an entire line of models. After reviewing the application for approval, the laboratory will select the specific model(s) which must be submitted for testing and evaluation and request a sample of those model(s) from the applicant.

Does the Approval Services Laboratory (ASL) recognize test results obtained through third party laboratories?
When the laboratory is not suitably equipped to execute the performance tests, the Approval Technical Coordinator will identify to the applicant the tests which must be performed by an independent laboratory which is recognized by Measurement Canada.

The test results must be submitted in a specific format (as specified by the Approval Technical Coordinator) and must be sent directly to the ASL from the independent laboratory.