May 30, 2025 | Quezon City — The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) is calling on all qualified public and private laboratories to take part in a major national initiative to improve testing standards for agricultural inputs. FPA officially launched the Enhanced Laboratory Recognition Program during its 48th Founding Anniversary celebration — a strategic effort to ensure that only safe, high-quality fertilizers and pesticides reach Filipino farmers.
The new program invites laboratories across the country to apply for official FPA recognition by meeting strict standards in testing accuracy, safety, and regulatory compliance. Anchored on FPA Memorandum Circular No. 2017-05, the initiative promotes the use of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and alignment with international benchmarks such as ISO/IEC 17025, thereby strengthening the integrity of agrichemical testing in the Philippines.
“Only with this level of excellence can we guarantee products that are both safe for use and promote productivity and sustainability in our agricultural sector,” said Dr. Jerolet C. Sahagun, Chief of the FPA Laboratory Services Division. She added that the program not only improves regulatory decision-making but also enhances public confidence in the fertilizer and pesticide industry.
What the enhanced laboratory recognition program offers
The Enhanced Laboratory Recognition Program provides a structured framework to certify laboratories that demonstrate:
- Compliance with FPA regulations and safety protocols
- Conformity with ISO/IEC 17025 standards for laboratory competence
- Consistent, accurate, and reliable test results
- Participation in proficiency testing programs
- Strong quality assurance systems and safety standards
- Environmental responsibility and ethical testing practices
The step-by-step evaluation process
Eligible laboratories must undergo a rigorous, multi-phase process:
- Submission of application and documentary requirements
- Preliminary technical review by qualified assessors
- On-site inspection of laboratory equipment, staff, and procedures
- Performance evaluation and result validation
- Granting of official FPA recognition for successful applicants
Laboratories must also demonstrate a culture of continuous improvement to retain recognition over time.
Strengthening product safety through quality testing
By implementing the Enhanced Laboratory Recognition Program, FPA ensures that testing laboratories become reliable partners in promoting safe, effective, and high-quality agrichemical products. The program supports the agency’s broader mission of protecting public health, supporting sustainable agriculture, and enforcing science-based regulation.
“Reliable laboratory testing is the foundation of sound regulatory policy and farmer safety,” Dr. Sahagun emphasized. “We encourage laboratories nationwide to join this initiative and become leaders in agricultural quality assurance.”
🎥 Watch the official launch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NGmoVkDUIM. ###
Written by: FPA Information Section
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Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) Online ISSN: 2815-1674
Published by the FPA Information and Communications Team
