Every engineering decision begins with confidence in the data. Whether selecting a protective coating, investigating premature failure, or validating material performance, reliable laboratory testing underpins informed engineering decisions.
In industries such as mining, oil and gas, infrastructure, marine, water, and manufacturing, inaccurate or unreliable testing can lead to increased risk, costly failures, and reduced asset performance.
That’s why TECHT is proud to announce that our Materials Testing Laboratory has achieved NATA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
This achievement independently verifies our laboratory’s technical competence and reinforces our commitment to delivering trusted testing services for Australia’s asset-intensive industries.
In this article, we’ll explain what NATA accreditation is, why it matters, what makes TECHT’s accredited capabilities unique, and how our laboratory supports better engineering decisions.
What is NATA?
NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) is Australia’s national accreditation body for laboratories and inspection services.
It independently assesses organisations to verify their competence to perform specific testing activities against internationally recognised standards. For testing laboratories, accreditation is assessed against ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the global benchmark for laboratory competence.
Simply put, NATA accreditation provides confidence that a laboratory can consistently deliver accurate, reliable and impartial results.
Why ISO/IEC 17025 Matters
ISO/IEC 17025 is recognised worldwide as the benchmark for laboratory competence. It assesses more than just quality systems.
Laboratories must demonstrate:
- Technical competency
- Equipment calibration
- Measurement traceability
- Validated test methods
- Sample handling
- Quality assurance
- Continuous improvement
For clients, this means greater confidence that laboratory results are accurate, repeatable and technically defensible.
Achieving NATA accreditation requires significant investment in people, equipment, laboratory infrastructure and quality systems.
Many growing laboratories delay seeking accreditation because of the time, cost and ongoing commitment required; however, TECHT chose a different path.
We invested early because we believe independent verification is essential for building client confidence and delivering trusted engineering outcomes.
Setting a New Benchmark
NATA accreditation is a significant achievement. At the time of writing, TECHT is the only laboratory in Australia NATA-accredited for the following test methods:
- ISO 15711 Method A: Cathodic Disbondment Testing
- ISO 2811-1: Density Determination
- ASTM D2621: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) for Paint Vehicle Identification
- ISO 3251: Determination of Non-Volatile Matter Accredited Tests
This demonstrates the confidence placed in TECHT’s technical capability while providing Australian industry with access to internationally recognised testing services that are rarely available elsewhere.
Accredited Tests
Every accredited test serves a different purpose, and together they help clients qualify coatings, investigate failures, verify product quality and improve asset integrity.
| ACCREDITED CAPABILITY | RECOGNISED METHOD(S) |
| Cathodic disbondment testing | AS 4352 Type B; ASTM G42; ISO 15711 Method A |
| Pull-off adhesion testing | ASTM D4541 Method E; ISO 4624 |
| Abrasion resistance testing | ASTM D4060 |
| Flexibility testing | ASTM D522; AS 1580.402.1 |
| Shore D hardness testing | ASTM D2240 |
| Degree of cure / Barcol hardness | ASTM D2583 |
| Density determination | ISO 2811-1 |
| FTIR chemical characterisation | ASTM D2621 |
| Non-volatile content | ISO 3251 |
Supporting Australia’s Critical Industries
TECHT’s accredited laboratory supports organisations across:
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Marine
- Water
- Manufacturing
- Heavy Industry
Whether qualifying coatings, investigating failures or supporting asset integrity programs, our testing services help clients reduce risk and make informed engineering decisions.
Our accredited scope, however, represents only part of our capability. TECHT also undertakes specialised corrosion, coatings, materials and electrochemical testing for Research, Product development, Failure investigations, Quality assurance, and Complex engineering projects.
Where industry demand exists, we can also work towards expanding our NATA Scope of Accreditation.
Our team works with clients across asset-intensive industries to solve practical engineering problems, reduce risk and improve the reliability of critical infrastructure.
TECHT’s strength lies in combining laboratory capability with practical field experience. We understand that laboratory data is only useful when it supports clear engineering decisions. By integrating testing, inspection and specialist engineering interpretation, TECHT provides clients with evidence-based solutions that are practical, defensible and aligned with operational needs.
NATA accreditation is more than a certificate; it is independent recognition that a laboratory is competent to perform specific tests in accordance with internationally recognised standards. For clients, this provides greater confidence that the data supporting critical engineering decisions is accurate, reliable, and defensible.
By achieving ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, TECHT reinforces its commitment to technical excellence, quality, and trusted engineering outcomes. Combined with our expertise in corrosion engineering, protective coatings, materials testing, and asset integrity, we help clients make informed decisions with confidence.
Ready to Build Confidence into Your Next Project?
Whether you’re qualifying a protective coating, investigating material performance, or seeking independent, NATA-accredited laboratory testing, TECHT is here to help.
Explore our Materials Testing, Corrosion Engineering, and ArchiTECHT services to discover how our multidisciplinary expertise can support your next project. To discuss your testing requirements or learn more about our accredited laboratory capabilities, contact the TECHT team today.
