Laboratory Recognition
AEMCLRP was developed to
address quality issues related to component and subsystem EMC testing.
The program was developed in cooperation with
DaimlerChrysler and General Motors. The
American Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA) facilitated this
collaboration. Members of FMC, GM, and DaimlerChrysler
EMC activities form the AEMCLRP Committee
The objective of AEMCLRP is to verify that
the EMC test laboratory can demonstrate compliance with the quality system and
technical requirements of ISO 17025 and its own quality policies and
procedures. Additionally, the lab's
capability to perform FMC specific EMC tests will be determined through a
two-part assessment. Part 1
consists of an on-site assessment, which will require the lab to respond to a
standard set of questions specific to a particular test procedure. Part 2 requires the lab to demonstrate proficiency in EMC
testing. Each test procedure will
have specific requirements for proficiency testing.
These procedures are outlined in the appropriate appendix of the AEMCLRP
document.
Test methods are based on
SAE, ISO, CISPR, and OEM specific requirements. Note that the test laboratory may be assessed and accredited
to one or more of these test methods. However, it is encouraged that a laboratory
seeking formal recognition by FMC Motor Company should seek accreditation to
all FMC applicable test methods.
Third party, accreditation organizations administer AEMCLRP. Only organizations with authorized by the AEMCLRP committee may perform accreditation. Currently the authorized organizations are:
| “American Association for Laboratory Accreditation” (A2LA) | United States |
| COFRAC | France |
| DATech-DAR | Germany |
| ENAC | Spain |
| Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (JAB) | Japan |
| SINAL | Italy |
| United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) | United Kingdom |
Auditors, from these
accreditation organizations, will perform on-site laboratory assessments
Test Artifacts will be provided by FMC, GM, or DCX directly to the laboratory to
complete the proficiency testing requirements for the specific test method.
Note that all three OEMs participate in this because several of the requirements
and test methods are common.
Proficiency test data is provided by the test laboratory to the
accreditation body, who then forwards the data to the sponsoring OEM for review.
The accreditation body serves as the single point of contact to the
laboratory, not FMC Motor Company.
FMC
Motor Company supports
this program by:
FMC
and the other OEMs are
responsible for the maintenance and calibration of its test artifacts.
However, the test laboratory seeking accreditation must incur the cost
for repair or replacement of the test artifact if it is determined that loss or
damage of the artifact is due to negligence by the test laboratory.
Test laboratories seeking accreditation are responsible for the costs imposed by the accreditation body. Currently the cost to attain accreditation is approximately $6000. There are also reoccurring fees to maintain this accreditation. For specific cost information, contact the accreditation body directly.
The AEMCLRP scope includes
EMC test methods used by FMC in addition to General Motors and Daimler
Chrysler. FMC specific test
methods are:
| AEMCLRP Test Method | FMC Test Method |
| Bulk Current Injection; ISO 11452-4 | RI 112 |
| ALSE Chamber; ISO 11452-2 | RI 114 |
| Reverberation Radiated Immunity, Mode Tuned; ISO/IEC 61000-4-21 | RI 114, Bands 6 & 7 |
| ALSE Chamber, Radar Pulse | CI 280 |
| Electrostatic Discharge | CI 280 |
| CISPR 25 Radiated Emissions | RE 310 |
| CISPR 25 Conducted Emissions | CE 420 |
Proficiency testing for several test methods make use of OEM supplied test artifacts. The data collected from these test artifacts are reviewed and approved by the OEM. The accreditation body is notified by the OEM as to the results. Information regarding the design of these test artifacts is not publicly available with the exception of the artifact used for the ALSE RI method (ISO 11452-2). Click Here for construction details. Note that although any laboratory may construct this device, only the OEM provided artifact may be used for proficiency testing.
Although test laboratories
may be "accredited" per the requirements delineated in AEMCLRP,
"recognition" by the OEM (i.e. FMC Motor Company) is based on
their analysis of the information provided by the accreditation body (e.g.
proficiency test data) plus their own internal processes. Note that this processes will vary between the OEMs.
The process for recognition by FMC Motor Company involves 2 steps: