Quality Assurance

NationWide Laboratories (Poulton Laboratory) is a UKAS, ISO 17025 accredited Testing Laboratory (NationWide Laboratories Head Office Poulton Laboratory – No: 1733). It is accredited for a wide range of diagnostic tests. A copy of the schedules of accreditation is available online at www.ukas.com.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service UKAS, operating under a memorandum of understanding with the government through the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, is the only official body in the UK that offers accreditation of analytical laboratories and all types of testing to an internationally recognised standard, ISO 17025. The standard demands evidence of staff competence, documented procedures, test validation, strict internal and external quality assurance and calibration of all measurements to traceable national standards. Accredited laboratories undergo independent annual audits.

What does UKAS accreditation mean for you?

• You can trust the result when making a diagnosis.
• It is your assurance that the work has been carried out by NationWide Laboratories to the standard required for your purpose.
• NationWide Laboratories is annually assessed by independent experts.
• You can be confident that the agreed or specified methods and procedures have been followed.
• Measurements are traceable to national and international standards.
• Tests performed on your sample are the best available and are consistently precise and accurate.

It is the declared policy of NationWide Laboratories that the laboratories shall strive to achieve and maintain the highest standards of quality in all aspects of laboratory work.

As part of the commitment to quality, NationWide Laboratories also participates in externally audited quality assessment (EQA) schemes offered by LGC, Public Health England, RIQAS, UK NEQAS and VETQAS. Participation in further Proficiency Testing schemes like EQAs shows commitment to improving performance as these are an independent and confidential verification of the testing process.

If you have a specific query about our accreditation or EQAs and what they mean for your results, please contact us where an adviser can help you.