For further information visit www.ukas.com

UKAS accreditation ensures that consumers, suppliers,purchasers and specifiers can have confidence in thequality and safety of goods and in the provision of services throughout the supply chain.

The United Kingdom AccreditationService (UKAS) is the sole accreditationbody recognised by Government toassess, against internationally recognised standards, organisationsthat provide testing services. UKAShas formally been appointed as theNational Accreditation Body for theUnited Kingdom under the EU Regulation (No) 765/2008. The Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) works withUKAS to ensure that it operates in thepublic interest and meets the obligation imposed by the Regulation.

There are well over 1000 UKAS accreditedtesting laboratories in the UK in a widerange of sectors such as: food and foodproduction, water, toy and childcare

Do you commission the testing of your food samples?

Do you need to ensure quality and safety through the test results?

products, healthcare, paper and packaging.UKAS combines a depth of technicalknowledge and expertise built up overmany years with sector-specific scientificand technical specialists used to assesslaboratories.

UKAS laboratory accreditation uses criteriaand procedures specifically to determinetechnical competence. Laboratory accreditation uses the internationallyrecognised standard ISO/IEC 17025 (general requirements for the competenceof testing and calibration laboratories) toassess factors relevant to a laboratory’sability to produce high quality test results.UKAS is the only UK accreditation bodythat can legitimately claim to accredit toISO/IEC 17025.

International Perspective

Under the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU), signed by BEIS on behalf ofthe government, UKAS is a Signatoryto the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)which is the global authority of laboratory accreditation. ILAC, whichensures that all laboratories are assessed to the same principles, operates a Multilateral Arrangement

(MRA) which covers over 80 economiesworldwide. This Arrangement createsmutual confidence in, and acceptanceof, accredited test reports from overseas.

For UK food retailers and producers, theMRA provides confidence that produceimported from overseas that is tested byan accredited body, has been assessedagainst the same standards and criteria.

This removes the need to carry out re-testingand therefore lowers the cost and time toassure the quality of imported produce.

Why you should use a UKAS accredited testinglaboratory?

Minimise risk – While risk can neverbe removed altogether, employingthe services of a UKAS accredited laboratory means choosing a technically competent laboratory andminimising the risk of producing orsupplying test results that are not validor reliable. A UKAS accredited testinglaboratory is able to demonstrate a fullaudit trail for the testing.

Keep your reputation – Confidencein your product is enhanced if clientsknow it has been thoroughly evaluatedby an independent, competent testingfacility. Increasingly customers arerelying on independent evidence,rather than simply accepting a supplier’s word that the product is fit for purpose.

Demonstrate credibility – A UKAS accredited testing laboratory can callupon best practice within its sectorand will only use the services oftrained and experienced evaluators.

The competence of a laboratory you appoint may be crucial to maintaining your reputation as a responsible organisation. It is therefore surprising that organisationsare still tempted to use the service of laboratories whose competence has not beenconfirmed by a fully independent, authoritative third party with appropriate recognition.

There are a host of reasons why you should use a UKAS accredited testing laboratory.Here are some of the most important:

The accreditation process

UKAS carries out surveillance assessments of all accredited organisations annually with a full reassessment every four years. This assessment and accreditation process involves reviewing by an independent decisionmaker the competence of those involved, and the conduct and reporting ofthe assessment. Assessments are carried out by competent UKAS assessmentmanagers and external technical assessors who have the knowledge andexperience to conduct the visit.

Further information on UKAS can be found at: https://www.ukas.com/sectors/food-safety/

If you would like to discuss UKAS accreditation please contact John Abbiss,Accreditation Manager, Agri-Food, Life Sciences and AsbestosTel: +44 (0)17844 28813 Email: john.abbiss@ukas.com

Defend against litigation – The useof a UKAS accredited laboratory bodyis a powerful demonstration that youhave exercised all due diligence inthe selection and appointment of asupplier. You can also be held liablefor any failure of your product, particularly if it involves public safetyor financial loss to a client.

Government has published advice for businesses using accredited serviceshttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/accreditation-and-conformity-assessment-guidance-for-business-and-government-departments

UKAS B10 02/2020

For further information visit www.ukas.com