Lab Accreditation Services
ACCREDITATION OF LABORATORIES
The Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service(TTLABS)
operates as the sole national laboratory accrediting body for testing and calibration laboratories. It is a fully owned government organization fulfilling its mandate under the authority of the Standards Act 18 of 1997. Administration of the Service utilizes good management practice to ensure that its operations meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011 General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.
The Scheme offers voluntary assessment and accreditation to
laboratories in accordance with the following international standards:
- ISO/IEC 17025 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
- ISO 15189 – Medical Laboratories – Particular requirements for quality and competence.
Accreditation is available to any type of testing or calibration laboratory, be it in the private sector (independent or in-house) or in the government sector. Accreditation is available for virtually all types of tests, calibrations, measurements and observations that are reproducible and properly documented.
The accreditation of laboratories is offered in the following fields of testing:
- Calibration and Measurement;
- Civil Engineering & Non Destructive;
- Chemical and Biological;
- Electrical;
- Mechanical;
- Medical;
- Agricultural;
Each heading covers smaller sub-groups which are related to laboratory types.
Interested laboratories which perform testing in the above fields can apply to TTLABS for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 15189 (Medical Labs). This would require the Laboratory to be familiar with the relevant standard and have a fully functional Quality Management System supported by procedures and records.
For further information see the guidance documents provided and use the forms provided in the Documents section.
LABQUIP
The general quality management standard for laboratories has been in existence for many years. However, many laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago have yet to complete their quality systems to align completely with all the clauses of the standard. Recognizing this difficultly the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS), created the Laboratory Quality Improvement Program (LABQUIP) to develop local laboratory management systems and facilitate easier transition to accredited status. It aims to foster improvement in the overall levels of quality and technical competence in local testing and calibration laboratories, and to recognize their achievements in these areas. LABQUIP uses a tiered (3) approach to give laboratories a start-up mechanism for advancement towards international acceptance, while taking cognizance of present differences in operational levels of quality systems by laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago. The program involves training in laboratory practices, on-site assessments, award of certificates and registration and is open to laboratories of all sizes.
The immediate benefits of participation in the programme are:
- It provides national recognition of technical competence.
- It improves the capability to produce more accurate, reliable and consistent results, which can inspire greater customer confidence and result in increased business.
- It facilities the implementation and maintenance of an effective quality management system.
- It enhances knowledge of the requirements for international accreditation, and
- It strengthens competitive positions to maintain or increase market share.
The three levels of LABQUIP are:
Grade 1 – Advanced Technical Operations and Quality Management
Grade 2 – Fundamentals of Technical Operations and Quality Assurance
Grade 3 – Basic Principles of Quality
To enroll in the program simply purchase an application package from the TTBS for $200.TT plus VAT and follow the steps to Registration enclosed within.
TRAINING
The Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation
Service (TTLABS) facilitates training courses/ workshops to laboratories, assessors and quality practitioners to enhance their knowledge of the requirements of the international standards. Training workshops are offered on the following topics:
- International Standard ISO/IEC 17025 for Testing/Calibration Laboratories
- International Standard ISO 15189 for Medical Laboratories
- Laboratory Quality Management Systems
- Internal Auditing
- Measurement Uncertainty for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
- Assessor Training
For additional information, please email us at lab.accreditation@ttbs.org.tt
These documents are available in PDF format:
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