ANAB vs A2LA: Choosing the Right Accreditation Body for Testing Laboratories in 2026

Analysis of ANAB and A2LA accreditation, verification methods, and compliance impacts for Amazon, retailers, and FDA documentation.

IRVINE, CA, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- alitex Laboratories, an A2LA-accredited ISO 17025 testing laboratory serving dietary supplement and cosmetic brands across North America, today released a comprehensive comparison of ANAB and A2LA laboratory accreditation. The analysis explains the history, focus, and market recognition of each accreditation body and guides brands on verifying laboratory accreditation in public directories.

A2LA (American Association for Laboratory Accreditation) and ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) are the two primary laboratory accreditation bodies in the United States. Both are signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), meaning accreditation from either body is recognized by accreditation authorities in over 100 countries. For supplement and cosmetic brands, both A2LA and ANAB accreditation meet ISO 17025 requirements for Amazon compliance programs, major retailers, and FDA documentation.

Founded in 1978, A2LA is the older of the two bodies, with a long history focused on testing and calibration laboratories, particularly in the dietary supplement, food, and environmental sectors. A2LA accreditation is explicitly referenced in Amazon’s compliance programs for dietary supplements and cosmetics and is the most commonly recognized accreditation among U.S. supplement testing laboratories.

"The practical difference between A2LA and ANAB accreditation for supplement brands is largely a matter of laboratory preference," said Nour Abochama, Vice President of Operations at Qalitex Laboratories. "Both are recognized by Amazon, retailers, and FDA. The critical factor is whether the laboratory's accreditation scope covers the specific test methods required for a brand’s products."

ANAB, established in 2014 through the merger of ANSI and A2LA’s inspection accreditation programs, offers a broader range of services. In addition to testing and calibration laboratories, ANAB accredits inspection bodies, certification bodies, and reference material producers.

Both A2LA and ANAB maintain public directories that allow brands to verify a laboratory’s accreditation status, scope, and certificate. The accreditation scope—listing the specific test methods and matrices a lab is accredited for—is crucial for ensuring compliance. A laboratory accredited for unrelated testing, such as water, may not provide valid documentation for dietary supplement compliance programs.

"We recommend brands take five minutes to verify a lab’s accreditation in the A2LA or ANAB directory and confirm that the scope covers the tests they need," said Abochama. "At Qalitex, we include our A2LA accreditation number on every COA, and we encourage clients to verify it. Transparency is what accreditation is meant to provide."

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Full article: https://qalitex.com/blog/anab-vs-a2la-lab-accreditation/

About Qalitex Laboratories
Qalitex Laboratories is an ISO 17025-accredited third-party analytical testing laboratory with facilities in Irvine and San Diego, California. The lab provides COA testing, heavy metal analysis by ICP-MS, microbiology testing per USP <61> and <62>, preservative efficacy testing, stability studies under ICH guidelines, and regulatory compliance support for dietary supplement brands, cosmetic companies, and consumer goods manufacturers. Turnaround times start at 48 hours for standard panels. Testing programs meet 21 CFR Part 111, California Proposition 65, Amazon supplement compliance requirements, and Health Canada NHP Directorate standards.

Nour Abochama
Qalitex Laboratories
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