Quality Assurance Objectives

Eurofins Scientific strives to be the leading provider of quality analytical services for the food, pet food, feed, animal health, dietary supplement and biotech industries in a time sensitive manner. We have committed ourselves to a strong customer focus, employee intellectual growth, and integrity in the services we perform. From each laboratory location where daily quality standards are implemented, to senior management where Quality Assurance functions as a member of Corporate staff, a commitment to customer focus and quality values is incorporated into our company identity. The complete organizational structure is continually analyzed to ensure that it most effectively and efficiently serves the accomplishment of the organization's customer and quality objectives.

The Quality Assurance Unit team (QAU) ensures compliance with company and regulatory standards and is responsible for training, and designing programs, procedures and systems thereby promoting the excellence of all facilities. This includes cGMP/ ISO 25, FDA, USDA, and other regulatory compliance standards such as internal quality control measures. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are developed in conjunction with the analysts using them and applicable SOPs are sent to the laboratory facilities. Prior to implementing new programs and procedures, initial training is performed with the laboratory's Quality Control Officer.

To assess conformance to Corporate Guidelines and avoid 'regulatory compliance drift', an onsite annual Consultation Process is held to review analytical methods, documentation procedures, quality control measures, training, staffing, organization, equipment, facility condition, and overall operations. In addition, unannounced inspections are conducted to monitor the status of each facility.

Each facility has a high commitment to producing quality results and reviewing all client discrepancies that may arise. The QAU takes an active interest in reviewing these discrepancies and proposing corrective actions to prevent future recurrences.

The Quality Assurance Unit provides oversight to ensure that the analytical methods utilized by the laboratories are specific and accurate. All methods utilized are in published literature unless stipulated by regulation, are under development or are specifically requested by a client. The compendium methods are from various organizations (AOAC, AOCS, AACC, FCC, USP/NF, etc.) that have been extensively tested collaboratively. The laboratory manager or their designate must review methods that require modifications for a particular matrix or analyte to ensure applicability, accuracy, precision, and ruggedness. Even so, routine quality control measures are employed, which include analyte spikes, duplicates (known and/or blind), control samples (in-house or NIST, etc.), or blanks.

The Quality Assurance Unit evaluates the performance of facilities through administration of our internal performance evaluation program. This program includes multiple daily control samples that are monitored through routine statistical process control. Facilities also participate in external programs such as the AOCS (Smalley Series), AAFCO, AACC, and government performance evaluation series such as EPA and USDA Accreditation. The latter programs lead to recognition in specialized analyses as well.

Laboratory Quality Evaluations