Scope 1.1 This Standard provides a means of determining a concrete laboratory?s capability to test concrete and related materials. It provides for three levels of certification: basic concrete, concrete aggregate, and advanced concrete certification. Its purpose is to ensure that the services obtained from a concrete testing laboratory are of acceptable quality and performance. It also provides minimum requirements for the test equipment, qualifications of personnel who test concrete, and their performance in testing; however, this Standard should not be construed as a standard detailing the technical ability and expertise necessary to provide a comprehensive consulting service in concrete technology. 1.2 This Standard addresses a) the requirements for laboratory certification; and b) the administration of these requirements. 1.3 In this Standard, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the Standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the Standard. Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material. Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements. Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.