Testing, clinical laboratories, certification bodies receive
accreditation
Several Testing Laboratories, Certification Bodies and Clinical
Laboratories received Accreditation Certificates from the Minister of
Technology and Research Pavithra Wanniarachchi at the World
Accreditation Day Celebrations held recently in Colombo.
The Sri Lanka Accreditation Board which is the National Accreditation
Authority for Sri Lanka functioning under the purview of the Ministry of
Science and Technology organized the event.
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The Arthur C Clarke Institute for
Modern Technology “Surge Simulation Facility” receiving the
certificate from Minister of Technology and Research Hon.
Pavithra Wanniarachchi. Secretary to the Ministry Mrs. Dhara
Wijetilleka Chairman Sri Lanka Accreditation Board Didul
Kodagoda Director Thilak Wickramasinghe looks on. Picture by
Chaminda Niroshan |
According to SLAB the conformity assessment procedures adopted
worldwide in trade and services demands that testing; inspection and
certification are carried out in a transparent and reliable manner,
which could demonstrate their competence and reliability.
Functions of a National Accreditation Body are to assess the
competence of Conformity Assessment Bodies (Laboratories, Inspection and
Certification Bodies) performing within the National quality
infrastructure and declare their competence.
Wrong choice of a laboratory and erroneous or inaccurate reports may
have adverse consequences and even result in fatality. Since there had
been increasing concerns in the Health sector regarding the reliability
of test results of medical (clinical) testing laboratories, the
accreditation scheme carried out by SLAB is timely and typical for the
medical industry.
In his welcome address Chairman SLAB Didul Kodagoda said that they
have received positive responses from the Ministry of Health during
discussions regarding accreditation of medical laboratories. Health
Ministry has now identified five government hospital laboratories for
accreditation and SLAB has already conducted awareness programmes for
the staff of these laboratories.
These laboratories are developing their Quality Management Systems
now and they would be in a position to apply for accreditation by early
next year.
He went on to say that the theme for the World Accreditation Day this
year is accreditation supporting safe food and clean drinking water.
Here again Ministry of Health is the controlling authority of the
regulations pertaining to the food act. SLAB to-date has accredited more
than 20 food and water testing laboratories and two certification bodies
for food safety management system certification.
Test data provided by an accredited organization is accurate and
reliable. Making use of the services of these organizations for
obtaining the necessary data for monitoring the implementation of the
food act would certainly build up public confidence of the system.
Also it would encourage more testing laboratories to seek
accreditation thereby facilitating the regulators to make correct
decisions when implementing regulations he further said.
Kodagoda requested all regulatory bodies to take the necessary steps
to incorporate accreditation into their regulations.
Making the keynote address Sanath Mendis former Director/CEO of SLAB
said that, “A well-developed National Quality Infrastructure is
necessary in assuring safety and quality of products and services on
offer and to support national development efforts; and Accreditation is
a vital element in this system.
Quality infrastructure refers here to all aspects of metrology,
standardization, testing, and quality management including certification
and accreditation. This includes both public and private institutions
and the regulatory framework within which they operate.
The national quality infrastructure is to be seen as part of the
whole requisite infrastructure of the country, with the same level of
importance as roads and highways, communication, schools, basic medical
services.
Without a supporting National Quality Infrastructure neither
development nor competitiveness are possible.
The following institutions received accreditation certificates from
Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
Testing Laboratories
Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technology Surge Simulation
Facility.
Coconut Development Authority Chemical Laboratory.
Certification Bodies
Indexpo Certification Limited.
Medical/Clinical Laboratories.
Durdans Hospital Laboratory Services.
Medilab Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.
Hemas Hospitals Laboratory Services.
Winners of the school and open essay competition on “Accreditation
and credible medical reports” also received awards at the event.
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