Quality
Our UKAS accredited Quality Management System ensures that the analysis undertaken and service we provide fulfils the requirements of ISO IEC 17025 and the Environment Agency’s MCERTS Performance Standard (for Soils). Please refer to our current UKAS accreditation schedule.
Quality Management is integral to our operational processes and the data provided.
Continuous development and improvement of our Quality Management System is pivotal to the continued success of our business and prominent in our business-planning model.
In addition to a comprehensive internal quality control programme we also participate in the proficiency testing schemes for all accredited methodologies and sample matrices.
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Chemtest participates in the LGC CONTEST proficiency testing scheme for contaminated land. The scheme includes a comprehensive range of analytes in soils, soil extracts and standards solutions for the analysis of metals, inorganic contaminants, organics and soil leachates. Land contamination can pose both environmental and human health risks. The main causes of contamination are the direct discharge of industrial wastes, domestic pollution, over-usage of pesticides, oil and fuel dumping, leaching of wastes from landfills and leaking underground storage tanks which corrode over time releasing toxic substances into previously clean soils. Participation in a proficiency testing scheme for soil, such as CONTEST, is a requirement of the UK Environment Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS) ‘Performance Standard for Laboratories Undertaking Chemical Testing of Soil’.
Chemtest participates in the LGC Quality in Water Scheme (QWAS) proficiency testing scheme which is specifically for the microbiological analysis of waters. Micro-organisms occur in water naturally and the majority are relatively harmless. However, contamination of water from faecal sources can lead to outbreaks of disease. Participation in the LGC QWAS scheme provides confidence in the accuracy of our microbiological analyses and in doing so helps to ensure the safety of water.
As a mandatory requirement of holding UKAS accreditation for asbestos analysis (bulk ID, soil screening and ID, and quantification in soils) Chemtest participates in the HSL proficiency testing schemes AIMS (Asbestos in Materials) and AISS (Asbestos in Soils). The AIMS scheme is established for identification of Asbestos types in bulk materials. The AISS scheme is both a qualitative and quantitative scheme for Asbestos in Soils.
Chemtest participates in the Sigma Aldrich RTC proficiency testing scheme for hazardous organic waste such as SVOC’s and PCB’s in soils. |
Chemtest participates in the LGC AQUACHECK proficiency testing scheme for water. Participation in the LGC AQUACHECK scheme allows Chemtest to identify problems before they affect the quality and safety of water and independently demonstrates the accuracy of our data.
Chemtest participates in the FAPAS LEAP proficiency testing scheme for environmental waste water chemistry. The scheme includes a comprehensive range of samples for the analysis of a variety inorganic and organic contaminants, particulate solids, targeted nutrients and physical properties.
Chemtest participates in the WEPAL BIMEP proficiency testing scheme for biomass and secondary fuels. The scheme includes the analysis of solid organic materials such as wood, straw, pulp, manure and compost for elementary and proximate determinands.
Chemtest participates in the Public Health England (PHE) proficiency testing schemes for Dialysis and Endoscope Rinse Waters. Water examination laboratories play a vital role in protecting people’s health by ensuring waters are safe and do not pose a threat to health. |
