Aggregate Certification

Overview

The certification programs for aggregate employ local testing procedures to ensure consistency with local provincial and municipal test requirements. CCIL’s Aggregate laboratory certification programs have four mandatory components:

• Laboratories must participate in and satisfy CCIL annual inter-laboratory correlation program requirements. This correlation program distributes prepared proficiency test samples to participating laboratories which test the samples and submit the results to CCIL’s for statistical analysis.
• At least once every two years, CCIL conducts laboratory inspections to verify that appropriate equipment and qualified personnel are in place, that the testing equipment is calibrated and properly maintained, and that up-to-date testing procedures are followed.
• Each CCIL certified laboratory must employ at least one certified laboratory technician. All technicians performing Type C testing shall be certified as proficient in performing the designated Type C tests. Technicians must pass practical and written examinations.
• Certified laboratories must have an appropriate quality manual and quality system. CCIL has developed a quality manual template and user guide as an aid for laboratories developing a quality system. This is a requirement of all certified laboratories across Canada. 

There are two categories of Aggregate laboratory certification; Type C and Type D as indicated below. All CCIL certified Aggregate laboratories must, as a minimum, be certified in basic certification, Type C: Aggregate Quality Control Tests. Additional tests for type D certification can be added as may be required:

• Basic Certification: Type C, Aggregate Quality Control Testing Laboratories
• Additional Certification: Type D, Advanced Aggregate Quality Testing Laboratories

Aggregate technicians employed by certified laboratories must demonstrate their proficiency in carrying out test procedures, for which the laboratory is certified, through practical tests and written examinations.
Technicians passing the written and practical examinations are issued CCIL certification cards valid for a period of 5 years.

Applications from new laboratories and from certified laboratories seeking certification upgrade are accepted any time. Additional details are given below.

For certified laboratories, certificates are issued on an annual basis dated May 1st to April 30th the following year. Typically, laboratories apply for certification in the summer. CCIL proficiency samples for the following year’s certification are sent out in April of the current year to laboratories that have completed their application. Testing results are required to be reported to CCIL some 8 months later in early January of the year following shipment. analysis of the data, including mini-correlation testing as may be required, is completed over the winter months prior to the laboratory certification date. All work is completed by spring and laboratory certificates are issued to qualified laboratories effective May 1st to coincide with new construction season.

Program Details and Tests

CCIL Aggregate laboratory certification programs have developed over the past 25 years and continue to evolve to respond to new responsibilities, challenges, technologies and test procedures in the quality control/quality assurance testing industry.
The following document provides the terms of reference for the Aggregate Certification Program

• LC-101 CCIL Asphalt and Aggregate Laboratory and Technician Certification Program
• CCIL Procedure for Suspension Withdrawal Appeals and Disputes of Certification
  
• CCIL Procedure for Handling Complaints

 

Aggregate Test Requirements

A list of Aggregate Test requirements in AB, BC, MB, NL, NS, ON, SK and YT are provided in the following documents:

• AB YT Aggregate Laboratory Certification Tests
• BC MB NB NL NS PE and SK Aggregate Laboratory Certification Tests
• ON Aggregate Laboratory Certification Tests

 

Working Documents

The Checklists for AB, BC, MB, NL, NS, ON, SK and YT are provided in the following documents:

• AB YT Aggregate Laboratory Checklist
• BC MB NB NL NS PE and SK Aggregate Laboratory Checklist
• ON Aggregate Laboratory Checklist

Technician Training

CCIL does not provide any technician training. This can be attained in the laboratory or by attending training courses offered by private consulting firms. CCIL is concerned with the certification of trained technicians.

The following documents provide the requirements and application form for the certification of Aggregate technicians:

• CCIL Requirements for Aggregate Laboratory Technician Certification

Information for New Applicants (How to Become Certified)

Information for new applicants is provided in the following documents:

• Information for New Asphalt Lab Certification Applicants (All Provinces)
• https://portal.ccil.com/    

Completed applications should be submitted online to the CCIL Certification Office. If you have any questions or require any assistance, please contact Gigi Kermath at (289) 337-8888 or via email at gkermath@ccil.com. If clarification is needed, the applicant will be contacted by CCIL to review the application and answer any questions relating to the certification process. Information on fees is available from the CCIL Certification Office.