Private sector accrediting bodies also administer laboratory accreditation programs for a variety of reasons. These reasons range from assisting laboratories in defending their competence in professional malpractice matters to assisting an industry to avoid government regulation by undertaking self-policing efforts. Many private sector laboratory accreditation programs are operated as an integral part of a private sector certification program. In addition, accreditation programs can be established to assist government agencies in enforcing regulations, such as in the testing of building and construction products. The criteria and terminology used in private sector laboratory accreditation/designation schemes again vary greatly.

Private sector programs also differ in size and scope. The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) operates an accreditation program, which accredits laboratories in a number of testing fields.

At the international level, the IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ) accredits testing facilities capable of demonstrating compliance of electronic components to prevailing requirements and standards, which are based on IEC standards. This accreditation program is part of a reciprocal worldwide certification system, in which all other participating countries accept certificates of conformity issued by an approved laboratory in one participating country.

The IEC also operates the IEC System for Conformity Testing for Safety of Electrical Equipment (IECEE). The IECEE's objective is the reciprocal recognition of test results (not certification marks or certificates of conformity) among the participating countries. Approved laboratories against prevailing specifications and requirements, including safety, based on IEC standards, test equipment. Any electrical products for which there are appropriate IEC standards can be included within the program.