Laboratory Certification

 

 

Criteria For Assessment 

Effective date of implementation: January 01, 2005

 

The Laboratory Certification Programme of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is recognising laboratories as either Level I, Level II or Level III based on the minimum criteria established. Level III will be recognised as Class A, Level II as Class B and Level I as Class C. The requirements of the GYS 170: 2003 standard, General requirements for the operation of a laboratory, will determine which level of certification will be granted to the laboratory.

 

 

1.      Level I

 

The laboratory granted a Level I Certification provides evidence that the laboratory confirms to the basic requirements for operation.

 

The laboratory must have policies and procedures for the following sections in the GYS 170:2003 standard.

 

1.1 3 Management requirements
     
  3.1 Quality System
  3.2 Organisation
  3.5 Purchasing of laboratory services and supplies
  3.12 Quality Assurance reviews
     
1.2 4 Basic Safety policies and procedures that are adequate for the laboratory's operations. (Universal precautions)
     
1.3 5 Technical requirements
     
  5.1 Personnel
  5.2 Accommodation and environmental conditions
  5.3 Test methods
  5.5 Equipment
  5.9 Assuring the quality of test results.

 

 

2.      Level II

 

The laboratory granted Level II Certification provides evidence that the laboratory has a basic laboratory management system meeting the following requirements of the GYS 170:2003 standard in addition to the requirements for the Level I Certification.

 

2.1 3 Management requirements
     
  3.1 Quality system
  3.2 Organisation
  3.3 Document Control
  3.5 Purchasing of services and supplies
  3.6 Review of requests, tenders and contracts
  3.8 Control of nonconforming testing
  3.9 Corrective action
  3.12 Quality assurance reviews
     
2.2 4 Basic Safety policies and procedures that are adequate for the laboratory's operations. (Universal precautions)
     
2.3 5 Technical requirements
     
  5.1 Personnel
  5.2 Accommodation and environmental conditions
  5.3 Test method and method validation
  5.5 Equipment
  5.6 Measurement traceability
  5.7 Sampling
  5.8 Handling of test items
  5.9 Assuring the quality of test results
  5.10 Reporting the result

 

Note: The new requirements for Level II certification are highlighted in bold.

 

 

3.      Level III Certification

 

The laboratory granted Level III Certification, provides evidence that the laboratory has a quality system meeting all the requirements of the GYS 170:2003 standard, “General requirements for the operation of a laboratory.

 

3.1    The Laboratory must have:

  1. Quality manual and quality system procedures.

  2. Technical manuals for tests within the scope of certification.

  3. Sample collection manual.

  4. Laboratory user manual.

  5. Test Information bulletin.

  6. A safety manual with basic safety policy and procedures for the

    laboratory operations.

3.2 3 Management requirements
     
  3.1 Quality system
  3.2 Organisation
  3.3 Document Control
  3.4 Subcontracting of tests
  3.5 Purchasing of services and supplies
  3.6 Review of requests, tenders and contracts
  3.7 Complaint
  3.8 Control of nonconforming testing
  3.9 Corrective action
  3.10 Preventive action
  3.11 Control of records
  3.12 Quality assurance reviews
  3.13 Management reviews
     
3.3 4 Safety
     
    Basic Safety policies and procedures that are adequate for the laboratory's operations. (Universal precautions)
     
3.4 5 Technical requirements
     
  5.1 Personnel
  5.2 Accommodation and environmental conditions
  5.3 Test method and method validation
  5.4 Control of data
  5.5 Equipment
  5.6 Measurement traceability
  5.7 Sampling
  5.8 Handling of test items
  5.9 Assuring the quality of test results
  5.10 Reporting the result

 

Note: The new requirements for Level III certification are highlighted in bold.