June 2025 | Quezon City — In line with its commitment to uphold quality and safety standards amid emerging agricultural innovations such as drone-assisted application and biofertilizer use, the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) conducted a two-part training series on ISO/IEC 17025:2017 to strengthen laboratory competency and regulatory reliability.
The training series, held at the FPA Central Office Convention Hall in Quezon City, was designed to build technical capacity among key FPA personnel involved in laboratory testing, field regulation, and compliance monitoring. Attendees included staff from the Laboratory Services Division (LSD), Pesticide Regulations Division (PRD), Fertilizer Regulations Division (FRD), Field Operations and Coordination Unit (FOCU), and the Planning, Management, and Information Division (PMID).
In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Trade Training Center (DTI-PTTC), the sessions were facilitated by expert resource persons Ms. Narcel Merano and Engr. Helen P. Subradil.
The first session, “ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – The Standard for Laboratory Competence,” was held on June 4, 2025. It introduced participants to the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, focusing on key elements such as impartiality, confidentiality, structural framework, resource requirements, and management system options.
The second session, “ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Laboratory Internal Audit,” took place from June 26 to 27, 2025. This module focused on internal audit practices aligned with the standard. Participants learned how to conduct various types of audits, document findings, address nonconformities, and apply root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies. Interactive workshops and case-based activities were integrated to enhance practical skills in conducting effective internal audits.
“These training initiatives are part of our continuous efforts to ensure that our laboratories maintain the highest standards of quality and reliability in testing fertilizers and pesticides,” said Dr. Jerolet C. Sahagun, Chief of the FPA Laboratory Services Division.
“By equipping our personnel with internationally recognized competencies, we reinforce stakeholder trust and regulatory credibility, she added.” ###
Writer: Sharmaine Tecson
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Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
