The Army Central Laboratory, Technical Activity Centre

The Army Central Laboratory has just become the only Army centre –and the second in the scope of the Defence Ministry- designated as a Technical Activity Centre for standardisation processes, in accordance with the Standardisation Regulation for Specific Use Products in the Scope of Defence.  So stipulates the resolution by the Director General on Weapon Systems and Materiel, Lieutenant General José M. García Sieiro, published in the Official Defence Bulletin number 187, of 24th September.

The scope of the mentioned designation –which will be in effect for four years- extends to the technical areas of motor vehicle start-up batteries, linked undercarriage running gear wheels, linked vulcanised hubs and axles, lubricating oils, fuels, hydraulic liquids, specialised products for various uses, greases, metallic materials, elastomers, textiles, paints, coatings and finishes.

The resolution by the Director General on Weapon Systems and Materiel establishes that this Laboratory ‘has the capability to carry out technical studies, results evaluation and expert reports concerning material within its responsibility, with the guarantee demanded at present, within the framework of the legislation in force in this respect’.  This means that the Army Central Laboratory has capability and authority to carry out the technical studies, expert reports and technical activities in general required for product standardisation, and its impartiality is recognised in the judgments issued on the results obtained.

Some of the conditions required to be designated as a Technical Activity Centre are maintaining a quality insurance system based on standards UNE EN ISO 9001:2008 (‘Quality management systems. Requirements’) and UNE EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (‘General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories’), as well as demonstrating at least five years of experience in all areas covered by the scope of the designation.

The latter designation is joined by accreditation as a testing laboratory for product standardisation within the scope of the Ministry of Defence, which was obtained by the Army Central Laboratory at the beginning of the year (Official State Bulletin no. 28, of 2nd February).  In this case the resolution by the Director General on Weapon Systems and Materiel was extended to 95 types of testing, for a period of four years.