E-tech interviewed Ryan Morrison, whose experience in providing equipment for testing laboratories has given him a profound insight into the challenges faced by laboratories in applying standards and conducting qualification assessments in practice.
Can you introduce your role and the work of your company?
I am a member of the leadership team of a company that supplies material testing and laboratory equipment. Our clients include engineers, construction companies, research laboratories, and quality management teams. Our focus is to support professionals who test building materials such as concrete, soil, asphalt, aggregates, and other structural materials. Due to our close collaboration with testing laboratories, on-site engineers, and technicians in many projects, we often see the execution of standards and testing procedures in actual environments. Our work typically involves assisting laboratories in obtaining suitable equipment for testing in accordance with recognized standards and quality assurance requirements.
Although we are not a standard setting organization ourselves, the environment we operate in is based on international standards and testing procedures, which are crucial for ensuring reliable results and consistent quality across projects.
What challenges do consistent implementation of standards face in actual laboratory environments？
The original intention of designing standards is to provide clarity and consistency, but their application in daily laboratory environments can sometimes be more complex than they appear on paper. Many laboratories face time pressure, budget constraints, and variable project conditions. Strictly adhering to calibration cycles, environmental controls, and documentation procedures may require significant self-discipline and resources. Smaller laboratories may encounter difficulties in staffing, training, or maintaining all necessary equipment in optimal condition.
Another challenge is that standards are often written to be applicable to multiple regions and industries. Although this makes them widely applicable, it also means that laboratories must interpret how to implement these standards in their specific operating environments on their own. When the laboratory invests in appropriate training, maintains good equipment, and has clear internal processes that align with standard intent, consistency is improved.
What are the main challenges faced by testing laboratories?
Today’s testing laboratories are confronted with a variety of operational and technical challenges. One of the most prevalent issues is maintaining measurement accuracy and repeatability. Reliable results rely on properly calibrated equipment, controlled testing conditions, and operators who follow procedures rigorously. Another key challenge lies in documentation and traceability. Modern quality systems mandate detailed records of testing methods, calibration history, and test results. Sustaining this level of documentation is highly demanding, especially for laboratories that handle a high volume of tests.
Laboratories also face pressure from project timelines. Construction and infrastructure projects often progress at a rapid pace, requiring testing teams to deliver accurate results without causing project delays. Balancing speed and accuracy remains an ongoing challenge. Additionally, many laboratories are striving to modernize their workflows by integrating digital data systems to boost operational efficiency, while still adhering strictly to established testing protocols.
What is the importance of real-world environmental testing? Is such testing always conducted？
Real-world environmental testing remains critically important, as it verifies the performance of materials and systems under actual service conditions. Laboratory testing provides a controlled environment that enables engineers to measure specific properties such as strength, durability, and resistance to environmental factors. However, real-world conditions introduce variables that cannot be fully replicated in a laboratory setting. Factors including temperature fluctuations, humidity exposure, loading conditions, and installation methods can all impact performance. On-site testing and monitoring help confirm that materials perform as expected once deployed in real operational environments.
That said, practical constraints such as cost, limited accessibility to test sites, or safety concerns may sometimes restrict the scope and scale of real-world environmental testing. In such cases, laboratories rely on standardized procedures and simulation models to replicate real-world conditions as closely as possible.
Can AI models replace real-world environmental testing？
Artificial intelligence and advanced modeling tools are gaining increasing value in engineering and testing scenarios. They can assist in analyzing large datasets, predicting performance trends, and supporting decision-making during the design and planning phases. Even so, AI models still depend on real-world data to maintain accuracy and reliability. Physical testing provides the foundational data required for model calibration and validation. In practice, AI should be regarded as a complementary tool rather than a substitute for physical testing. It can enhance efficiency, identify patterns, and in some cases reduce the number of physical tests required, yet validation through real-world testing remains indispensable for safety compliance, regulatory adherence, and building confidence in test outcomes.
How important is the IEC Conformity Assessment System to testing laboratories? Are you a member of any of these systems?
The IEC Conformity Assessment Systems play a pivotal role in ensuring that test results and certifications are recognized across different markets and regulatory jurisdictions. They foster trust in the testing process by establishing clear frameworks for evaluation, certification and compliance. For laboratories and manufacturers operating in the global marketplace, these systems deliver vital consistency and credibility. While Certified MTP itself is not a direct member of the IEC Conformity Assessment Systems, we work closely with laboratories and engineering teams that operate within these frameworks and adhere to recognized testing standards and protocols in their daily operations.
How does testing contribute to the improvement of standards?
Testing plays an indispensable role in the continuous refinement of industry standards. Standards are typically formulated based on the best available technical knowledge at the time, yet practical application yields valuable feedback on how these standards perform in real-world scenarios. Testing laboratories and field engineers can identify areas where procedures require clarification, tolerances need adjustment, or guidelines must be updated to accommodate new technologies.
This feedback loop between testing professionals and standards organizations ensures that standards remain practical, relevant and effective as the industry evolves. When practitioners share their on-site experience, it helps shape more robust and resilient standards that better serve industry development and public safety.
Ryan Morrison is a member of the leadership team at Certified MTP. Headquartered in the United States, Certified MTP is a supplier of material testing and laboratory equipment with a global client base encompassing engineers, construction testing laboratories, and quality management professionals. Through his role, Ryan maintains close engagement with testing laboratories and industry practitioners, gaining in-depth insights into practical challenges such as the implementation of testing standards in construction and infrastructure projects, the maintenance of measurement accuracy, and the support of reliable material testing workflows.
