To achieve the Eurofins | BLC Certificated Laboratory status, your business needs to satisfy the audit criteria in Step 3. In order to carry this out, you will need to adhere to the following process:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
One of our technical experts will discuss the laboratory certification process in detail online or via telephone. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions about the process.
Step 2: Pre-Audit Checklist
We will provide your laboratory with a pre-audit checklist which will help you prepare for the audit, and if followed correctly, the auditor will be able to certify your laboratory and its technicians for competency in the relevant methods. The Eurofins | BLC auditor will cover the following key elements:
- Contact review and sample registration
- Document control
- Equipment calibrations
- Internal auditing and corrective action plans
- Control of records
- Training/competence of personnel
- Laboratory facilities and equipment
- Testing competence
- Data recording and reporting
Step 3: Laboratory Audit
During the one-day on-site assessment, our auditor will review the testing capability of each laboratory technician as well as reviewing the laboratory facilities and the internal quality management systems.
Key areas of assessment for laboratory technicians include:
- Competency and understanding of specific test methods
- Adherence to procedures
- Personnel training records
- Level of education
Key areas of assessment for the laboratory site includes:
- Physical testing methods
- Environmental conditions
- Equipment (including calibration)
- Document control
- Data collection and reporting
- Documentation of quality procedures
If required, a corrective action plan will be issued to improve laboratory management and testing competencies, as well as recommendations for staff training and development.
Auditing of Multiple Sites
Eurofins | BLC provides a world-wide laboratory auditing and accreditation service and has a pool of auditors around the world who are local to most regions.
For laboratories based in more than one location, our auditors will need to assess individual sites, as both the staff certification and laboratory accreditation are location based.
Certification of Laboratory Technicians
On completing the audit, a certificate will be issued for each laboratory technician within the scope of testing to be accredited and will be valid for 12 months.
Laboratory Certification of Individual Sites
Upon satisfactory certification, the laboratory will receive a certificate of compliance issued by Eurofins | BLC detailing the scope of certified testing. The laboratory certificate is valid for 12 months.
Annual Surveillance Visit
Once certification has been received, an annual surveillance visit is required in order to keep the laboratory’s status active. Technicians will also be audited individually to the same principle for their testing scope.
The annual surveillance visit is essential for your business to continue to demonstrate physical testing competencies as well as providing on-going assurance to your customers.
Get Certification for Your Laboratory Today
Contact Eurofins | BLC for further information on the laboratory certification process and criteria your laboratory needs to satisfy, via email to [email protected], telephone + 44 (0) 1604 679 999 or complete the web form at the bottom of this page.