GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE

GLP Food and Agricultural Laboratory Assessment and Approval Certification

ACS Canada provides Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) Food and Agricultural Laboratory Assessment and Approval Certification for laboratories involved in food testing, agricultural testing, feed analysis, water testing, soil testing, microbiology, chemical analysis, residue testing, contaminant testing, and related laboratory activities.

This approval is designed for food and agricultural laboratories seeking independent assessment of laboratory quality practices, testing reliability, data integrity, sample control, documentation, equipment management, and operational consistency.

ACS Canada supports laboratories in strengthening their technical and operational systems in line with internationally recognized good laboratory practices, helping improve confidence in test results, regulatory readiness, and customer trust.

Applicable Laboratory Sectors

• Food testing laboratories
• Agricultural testing laboratories
• Feed and animal nutrition laboratories
• Water and irrigation testing laboratories
• Soil and fertilizer testing laboratories
• Microbiology laboratories
• Chemical and residue testing laboratories
• Pesticide and contaminant testing laboratories
• Food safety and quality control laboratories
• Research and development laboratories in food and agriculture

Assessment and Approval Scope

• Laboratory quality management practices
• Sample receiving, identification, handling, storage, and traceability
• Testing method control and procedure implementation
• Personnel competence, training, and authorization
• Equipment calibration, verification, and maintenance
• Environmental conditions and laboratory hygiene controls
• Reagent, media, standard, and reference material control
• Data integrity, result verification, and reporting accuracy
• Nonconformity control and corrective action management
• Internal audit, management review, and continual improvement

Key Benefits

• Improves reliability and consistency of laboratory results
• Strengthens confidence from clients, regulators, and stakeholders
• Supports food safety and agricultural quality assurance
• Improves sample traceability and documentation control
• Enhances laboratory personnel competency
• Reduces testing errors and operational risks
• Supports regulatory, contractual, and customer requirements
• Demonstrates independent recognition of laboratory good practices

Examples of Testing Activities Covered

• Microbiological testing of food, water, and environmental samples
• Chemical analysis of food, feed, soil, and agricultural products
• Pesticide residue and contaminant testing
• Heavy metals and toxin testing
• Nutritional and compositional analysis
• Moisture, ash, protein, fat, fibre, and related food quality testing
• Soil fertility and fertilizer analysis
• Water quality and irrigation suitability testing
• Food safety verification and quality control testing

Required Documents

• Laboratory quality manual or quality procedures
• Scope of laboratory activities and testing methods
• Sample handling and chain of custody procedures
• Personnel training and competency records
• Equipment calibration and maintenance records
• Test method procedures and work instructions
• Environmental monitoring and hygiene records, where applicable
• Test reports and result verification records
• Internal audit and management review records
• Corrective action and nonconformity records

Approval Process

• Application and laboratory scope confirmation
• Document and record review
• Readiness assessment
• Remote or on-site laboratory assessment
• Corrective action review, if required
• Approval decision and certificate issue
• Ongoing surveillance and certificate maintenance

ISO/IEC 17025 Training Courses

ACS Canada also recommends ISO/IEC 17025 training for laboratory personnel who wish to improve their understanding of laboratory competence, testing reliability, internal auditing, and quality management requirements.

ISO/IEC 17025 Requirements Course Registration ISO/IEC 17025 Internal Audit Course Registration