The need for laboratory services in various areas of life is inevitably increasing. Laboratory services are needed in sectors that produce goods or services in many areas ranging from the control of edible foods to environmental safety problems, from health care to the textile sector. Although some organizations provide laboratory units in accordance with their activities, there is an increasing demand for laboratories providing these services professionally.
These test and inspection laboratories, which provide independent, impartial, reliable, fast and high quality services, provide various measurement, test and analysis services not only to enterprises but also to consumers. In some cases, it is a necessity for businesses to fulfill these legal requirements. The reports issued by accredited laboratories are especially important in import and export transactions, especially in relations with European Union countries.
At this point, laboratories carry out conformity assessment studies as well as testing or calibration services. The conformity of the produced products with the specified standards and criteria and the demands of the receiving company is demonstrated by testing and analysis studies in accredited laboratories.
The importance of laboratory services in our country is gradually increasing in the process of accession to the European Union. It is determined by laboratory studies that the products are in compliance with the directives of the European Union in order to prove the product safety in this way. New Approach Directives and conformity assessment approaches have alleviated the interventions of governmental agencies, instead placing greater responsibilities on enterprises. With these directives, enterprises are given a great deal of freedom in how to fulfill their obligations. However, in order to fulfill these responsibilities, enterprises receive services from accredited laboratories.
The main test and analysis services provided to the companies operating in various sectors within the scope of laboratory services are as follows:
- Textile tests
- Food analysis
- Feed analysis
- Water analysis
- Environmental testing
- Soil analysis
- Cosmetic tests
- Cleaning and detergent tests
Accreditation is the process by which an organization providing testing and inspection services, eg laboratories, is competent by an authorized body to provide certain measurement, testing, analysis and evaluation services. Such accreditation of laboratories means that it is determined and documented that it is competent and sufficient in the analysis of certain parameters. Persons and organizations receiving services from these laboratories ensure that the service received is accurate and reliable. With the accreditation process, the service quality of the laboratory is ensured. Laboratories are accredited according to the TS EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard (TS EN ISO / IEC 17025 general requirements standard for the competence of the test and calibration laboratories).
This standard covers the requirements for the recognition of the competence of laboratories providing test or calibration services, including the collection of test specimens. This standard also covers requirements for testing or calibration services by laboratory-developed or non-standard methods.
