Accreditation
1. Formal recognition that a laboratory is competent to carry out specific tests or calibrations.
Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Election Terminology Glossary - Draft National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) https://pages.nist.gov/ElectionGlossary/; Glossary of terms database, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, https://www.eac.gov/glossary/
2. Formal recognition that a voting system testing laboratory is competent to carry out specific tests or calibrations or types of tests or calibrations. Under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the power to accredit Voting System Test Laboratories is delegated to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 42 U.S.C. §15371.
Source: Electronic Voting Glossary, Michael I. Shamos, https://collaborate.nist.gov/voting/pub/Voting/Glossary/Shamos-Election-Glossary.pdf