Labtium

Accreditation is the verification of the validity of testing, inspection and certification bodies. Accreditation ensures that the services offered by these bodies are recognised and approved both nationally and internationally.

At Labtium, we are quality conscious. Accreditation is indispensable for us. Accreditation activities enable us to continuously improve both our operations and customer satisfaction. We also constantly review our accredited methods. By using the services of an accredited laboratory, a customer does not have to concern itself with its quality assurance measures – the results provided by the laboratory are comparable and accepted internationally.

Accredited testing laboratory FINAS T025. (http://www.finas.fi/Scopes/T025_M17_2008.htm).

• ISO/IEC 17025
• Renewed 1998, 2002, 2006
• over 80% of our methods have been accredited

Labtium’s quality system fulfils the requirements of the Standards Council of Canada (CAN-P-1579) “Guidelines for Accreditation of Mineral Analysis Testing Laboratories”.

At Labtium, we comply with the following quality assurance procedures:

• Documented methods and procedures.
• Continuous personnel training in line with operational requirements. 
• Maintenance and calibration plans have been drafted for measurement devices.
• The suitability and interference resistance of analysis methods for different kinds of samples are evaluated both before introduction and when methods are revised. 
• Analysis processes are monitored using statistical methods. Comparison samples are analysed regularly, and at least 5% of the samples are reanalysed.
• Compliance with the quality system is monitored with regular internal and external audits and evaluations.

Each year, we participate in numerous national and international proficiency tests. We have selected these tests in line with our customers’ requirements. Although proficiency testing demands a great deal of intellectual and material resources, it enables us to see where we stand among other laboratories and further fine-tune our quality. These proficiency tests include:

• Water analysis programme: Aquacheck , WRc
• Marine sediment programme: Quasimeme; Quality Assurance Laboratory Performance Studies for Environmental Measurements in Marine Samples
• Soil samples: ISE (International Soil-analytical Exchange Programme); Wageningen Evaluating Programmes for Analytical Laboratories
• Organic plant samples: IPE (International Plant-analytical Exchange Programme); Wageningen Evaluating Programmes for Analytical Laboratories
• Geological samples: Geostats Laboratory Survey; Geostats Pty Ltd
• Geological samples: GeoPT (International Proficiency Test for Analytical Geochemistry Laboratories)

Labtium’s experts continuously participate in multidisciplinary standardisation efforts. To name but one example, our experts have been on board CEN working groups for method and measurement device development. In addition, we have served as experts in technical committees and national preparation bodies. In our view, the basic concept behind standardisation – increasing the compatibility and safety of products and operating systems – also serves as a guideline for the service concepts offered by Labtium.

Quality at Labtium is headed up by Quality Manager Juha Virtasalo.

The continuity of Labtium’s business hinges on disturbance-free operations and both safety and security. These concerns thus play a key role in our day-to-day operations. Safety and security have a major bearing on our customer relations, the independence of our operations and our working community.

Safety and security thus represent a vital quality factor in our operations. The drive to upgrade safety and security is based on regular risk assessments of both operating processes and customer-oriented functions. Annual targets are set for safety and security efforts and their realisation is monitored.

Our goal is to provide high-quality services while minimising adverse effects on both the environment and occupational safety. Labtium follows these environmental practices:

• Environmental and health considerations are integral to our operations and always under development.
• We train and guide our personnel to act in an environmentally responsible manner. 
• We continuously work to minimise the environmental load caused by the materials and chemicals used in operations.
• Wastes created during analysis and from customer samples are treated appropriately. 
• Environmental and occupational hygiene conditions are monitored regularly with internal and external inspections and measurements.
• We communicate to our interest groups on the environmental and health perspectives of laboratory operations.