OREANDA-NEWS. April 20, 2012. The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced today that it obtained ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation in regard to four types of tire testing as below on March 31. ISO/IEC 17025 is the main international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation means that Yokohama’s test data within the accredited scope are internationally recognized as being based on proper testing techniques, and allows the company to use a logo signifying accreditation on its published test reports. Yokohama Rubber obtained the accreditation after being examined by Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc. (PJLA).

 ISO/IEC 17025 addresses the technological capabilities (quality management, organization, equipment, environmental conditions, staff skills, etc.) of an organization necessary for specific testing and calibration. Many accrediting organizations throughout the world use ISO/IEC 17025 in certifying testing and calibration laboratories, which accreditation is essential in order for test data to be mutually accepted in different countries. In these circumstances, Yokohama was active in obtaining the accreditation and intends to further expand the scope of accreditation, aiming at providing high-level, reliable, globally compatible test data.

 Having mutual approval agreements with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC), the accrediting organization PJLA is a member of the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA). Test data from laboratories certified by the PJLA is valid in signatory countries.

 <Accredited Testing Items>
 *Marking requirements, dimensional requirements, and load/speed performance tests of tires for passenger cars (maximum speed more than 270 km/h)

 *Rolling resistance testing of tires for passenger cars and light-trucks (load index of 104 or less) using force method

 *Adhesion performance testing on wet surfaces of tires for passenger cars using a special vehicle.

 *Coast-by testing for measuring tire-rolling sound emission of tires for passenger cars and commercial vehicles of load index of 121 or less.