1. Purpose of the Document
This Policy defines the commitment of the management and personnel of the testing laboratory to ensuring competence, impartiality, validity of results, and compliance with the requirements of **DSTU EN ISO/IEC 17025:2019.
Scope of Laboratory Activities
The laboratory operates within and outside its scope of accreditation (upon customer request), conducting: sampling, organoleptic, microbiological, molecular genetic, enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA), mycological, chemical-toxicological, physicochemical, radiological, parasitological, and microscopic testing of food products, raw materials of animal, plant, and biotechnological origin, feed, and water, as well as biochemical, parasitological, bacteriological, immunological, biological, virological, pathological, and histological testing of biological material.
3. Commitment to Quality and Competence
The laboratory commits to:
3.1. Ensuring that work is performed in accordance with the requirements of DSTU EN ISO/IEC 17025:2019, current regulatory documents, and contractual requirements of customers.
3.2. Maintaining personnel competence through planned training, evaluation, authorization to work, proficiency testing, and professional skill development. Familiarizing employees with management system documentation and requiring adherence to established policies and procedures in their activities.
3.3. Using recognized methods, regulatory documents, calibrated and technically fit equipment for testing and measurement, and ensuring metrological traceability.
3.4. Applying objective decision rules when providing statements of conformity with specified requirements.
3.5. Ensuring the validity of results through participation in proficiency testing programs, internal quality control, use of reference materials, and other verification mechanisms.
4. Impartiality, Objectivity, and Independence of Technical Decisions
The laboratory identifies, analyzes, and manages risks that may affect impartiality. Any pressure on personnel regarding test results, sampling, or the formulation of conclusions is strictly prohibited. Personnel shall not engage in any activities that could diminish confidence in the objectivity and competence of the laboratory.
5. Confidentiality and Information Protection
The laboratory ensures the confidentiality of information obtained from customers, government bodies, or third parties, and protects test results, data, and materials in its possession. Except for information that the customer makes publicly available or as agreed between the laboratory and the customer, all other information is considered confidential. Disclosure of information is carried out only on grounds determined by law or contract.
6. Management of Risks and Opportunities
The laboratory identifies, analyzes, and manages risks and opportunities that may affect competence, impartiality, validity of results, customer satisfaction, or the effectiveness of the management system.
7. Complaint and Nonconformity Management
The laboratory ensures transparent and timely handling of complaints, appeals, and nonconformities in accordance with approved procedures, implementing corrective actions and analyzing their effectiveness.
8. Communication and Interaction with Interested Parties
The laboratory establishes and maintains mechanisms for effective internal and external communication regarding quality, competence, and performance results, including interaction with customers, government services, and official control bodies.
9. Continuous Improvement and Quality Objectives
Laboratory management ensures the establishment of measurable quality objectives and conducts regular reviews of their achievement, process effectiveness, and the management system as a whole. System improvement is a continuous process achieved through audits, reviews, corrective actions, risk assessment, and development planning.
10. Maintaining the Integrity of the Management System
The laboratory ensures the integrity and effectiveness of the management system when changes are implemented, as well as during the execution of new or modified technical processes.
- Management Commitment
Laboratory management assumes responsibility for:
- The implementation of this Policy;
- Providing necessary resources, including personnel, facilities, equipment, systems, and support services;
- Personnel competence;
- Compliance with the accreditation requirements of the National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU);
- Ensuring conditions for impartial decision-making;
- Communicating the Policy to all employees and interested parties.
Note: DSTU EN ISO/IEC 17025:2019 is the Ukrainian national adoption of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, so the acronym is kept for accuracy regarding the source document.