Throughout the world, many countries rely on a process called Laboratory Accreditation as a means of determining technical competence. Laboratory accreditation uses criteria and procedures specifically developed to determine technical competence. Special technical assessors conduct a thorough evaluation of all factors in a laboratory that affect the production of test or calibration data. The criteria are based on the internationally accepted standards ISO/IEC 17025 for industrial (testing & calibration labs) laboratories which are used for evaluating laboratories throughout the world. Laboratory accreditation bodies use this standard specifically to assess factors relevant to a laboratory’s ability to produce precise, accurate test and calibration data, including the:

✅ Technical competence of staff

✅ Validity and appropriateness of test methods

✅ Traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards

✅ Suitability, calibration and maintenance of test equipment

✅ Testing environment

✅ Sampling, handling and transportation of test items.

✅ Quality assurance of test and calibration data.

Laboratory accreditation also covers the quality systems elements addressed in ISO 9001 certification. To ensure continued compliance, accredited laboratories are regularly re-examined to check that they are maintaining their standards of technical expertise. These laboratories may also be required to participate in regular proficiency testing programs as an on-going demonstration of their competence.

Laboratory accreditation thus provides a means of evaluating the competence of laboratories to perform specific types of testing, measurement and calibration. It also allows a laboratory to determine whether it is performing its work correctly and to appropriate standards. Manufacturing organization may also use laboratory accreditation to ensure the testing of their products by their own in-house laboratories.

Very importantly, laboratory accreditation provides formal recognition to competent laboratories, thus providing a ready means for customers to find reliable testing and calibration services able to meet their needs.

Laboratory Accreditation means that a Laboratory is technically competent.

Laboratories are seen to have significant hazards but it is assumed that the laboratory staff knows about them and how to control the associated risks. It is generally left to the laboratory staff itself to control their own risks.

But have the staff really got the expertise and the knowledge to identify the hazards and do they know the best way to control the risks? Or, if they do, has the everyday pressure to get the job done put attention on safety into the background?

CESIUM International provides complete consultancy and training services for developing the “Laboratory Safety Management System” based on international standards and guidelines for laboratory safety.

CESIUM International’s “Laboratory Safety Management System” is based on the following standards,

✅ ISO 15190:2003: LABORATORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

✅ OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450:2011 REQUIREMENTS

✅ OHSAS 18001:2007 REQUIREMENTS

There are several ways to improve laboratory efficiency. The laboratory may stream line workflow or eliminate wastage in each workflow, train people on quality and productivity improvement or lean methods etc. Regardless of the ultimate strategies for improving laboratory efficiency, each laboratory efficiency project requires proper project management plan and top management commitment. CESIUM Ltd.’s productivity, quality & performance improvement methodologies can solve the following problems:

✅ Improving quality and productivity of laboratory

✅ Reducing non-value added/waste processes from laboratory processes

✅ Improving turn-around-time.

✅ Improving profitability, and customer satisfaction.

✅ Expanding capacity without additional capital.

✅ Reducing inventory and working capital needs.

✅ Reducing time and costs associated with delivering products and services.

✅ Applying lean methodologies.

✅ Analyzing data.

CESIUM’s performance improvement team includes a Certified Master Black Belt, a Six Sigma Black Belt, a PMP Certified Project Manager and laboratory experts averaging two decades of hands on laboratory management experience.