LSD requalifies for continued ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation

Written by Erica Mae G. Gacutan, Chemist II  l  Published: 24 May 2022

Quezon City | May 23, 2022 - On May 12-13, 2022, the Laboratory Services Division (LSD) underwent a second remote surveillance assessment conducted by the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB). The PAB assesses the competency in carrying out tests, inspections, measurements, and calibrations of local laboratories on international standards. The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard specifies the general requirements for laboratories' competence, impartiality, and consistent operation.

The PAB technical assessment team, led by Ms. Mina A. Mercado and members Ms. Fe Concuelo Q. Natarte, Mr. Dave P. Briones, and Ms. Leah C. Dajay, reviewed and assessed the technical competencies of LSD personnel, documentation, and implementation of the laboratory’s Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of the aforementioned standard.

The two-day assessment involved the evaluation of the technical competence of LSD personnel through laboratory analysis witnessing, the validity of test methods, traceability of the testing, quality assurance of data and the testing environment, and suitability, calibration, and maintenance of test equipment.

Last September 2019, FPA-LSD obtained its initial ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation and successfully transitioned to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 during the first surveillance visit in February 2021. With the laboratory’s consistent implementation of its management system, the laboratory was again recommended for continued accreditation with its accredited scope subject to the submission of corrective actions to the raised nonconformities during the assessment.

Meanwhile, LSD continues to pursue its mandate of assisting the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority in setting regulatory standards by conducting and providing reliable and accurate laboratory tests on fertilizer, pesticide, and other agricultural products for quality assurance.  ###