Quality
- UKAS accreditation for most routine tests
- Optional UKAS accredited testing of 'non standard' organics to SAL's generic SOP 12
- Membership of the UK GLP programme for safety studies
- Written and validated SOP's with full documentation of updates and changes
- Control charts for all appropriate organic and inorganic procedures
- Full sample logging and sample tracking procedures
- Regular blank, matrix spike and duplicate analysis built into procedures
- Regular use of isotopically labelled internal standards for GC/MS analyses
- Segregated laboratories- e.g. separate Semi-volatiles and VOAs laboratories
- Regular and rigorous staff training
- Participation in proficiency testing schemes and inter-laboratory trials, including CONTEST (LGC)
Organics
For organic analysis the QA/QC scheme is based on requirements listed in US EPA protocols, which define not only analytical methods but also have full QA/QC procedures built in. SAL has UKAS accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for most routine tests, and for its laboratory quality management scheme (Manchester facility Testing Certification No. 1549; Scotland facility Testing Certification No. 1977).
Inorganics
Inorganic analysis methods are based on MEWAM (blue book) or American Water Book published methods. Where a published method is not available, in house methods are developed and validated. Performance characteristics of all methods are determined and routinely checked. Certified standards are used where available.
Quality Documentation
Full quality documentation suitable for third part audits is always maintained and in turn SAL has been audited by and performed work for major companies operating within UKAS and GLP schemes. SAL have recently attained UKAS accreditation status under ISO/IEC 17025 for the Manchester Laboratories.