The Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) of the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has reported very positive progress on its journey in preparing for accreditation to the International Standard ISO 17025 (2017) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. 

DEH Director, Mr. Richard Simms praised the progress and continuous improvement of the work carried out and reported during their Annual Laboratory Management Review by members of the EHL. “It has been intensive teamwork leading us to the right path to achieve this important milestone very soon. This accreditation will enhance the confidence in the analytical services produced by our laboratory in accordance with international standards”, he said.

At the moment, the EHL is conducting testing for mainly ready-to-eat as part of the DEH’s food safety programme. Environmental Health Laboratory Manager, Antoinette Johnson explained that “the scope we are seeking is the Food and Pharmaceutical Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program which encompasses laboratories that test products intended for human consumption as well as environmental samples related to foods or consumables”. 

This scope includes: 

• Ready-to-eat food samples 
• In-process food samples
• Ingredients in the production of food
• Final products
• Environmental samples pertinent to foods

The meeting held on Friday 22 July, 2022 at the Conference Room of the George Town Library was an opportunity to update the DEH management team on the status of the accreditation, discuss the challenges encountered in the process and mapping the way forward.

For additional information, please contact the DEH at 949-6696, email us at[email protected], visit the DEH’s website at www.deh.gov.ky  or message our Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3LEK55q