The Central Analytical Service Laboratory (CASL) of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), UPLB was renewed last December 2023 for another year of PNS ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory accreditation in the field of chemical testing by the Department of Trade and Industry – Philippine Accreditation Bureau. The accreditation is valid until 17 August 2024 and CASL is set to renew for another five-year cycle.

This recent certification marks a decade of ISO accreditation of BIOTECH’s CASL which has been annually audited since 2014. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 stipulates the “general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent quality operation of biological, chemical and metrology testing laboratories.”

CASL, currently headed by Dr. Jeffrey P. Tamayo, is the first analytical laboratory in UPLB to achieve ISO certification. It is a chemical testing laboratory that performs routine chemical analyses; modifies and standardizes analytical methods for specific samples; and develops new analytical techniques. CASL also led BIOTECH’s application for license as end user of regulated controlled chemicals with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Sophia M. Mercado)