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Quality standards

VLA maintains a high standard of quality in all aspects of our operation and we continually aim to satisfy our customers in all the services we offer.

ISO 9001

In June 2005 VLA achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for the whole Agency. This builds on previous certifications for Biotechnology, TSE Archive and Neuropathology in 2001, 2003 and 2004 respectively. In January 2010 VLA successfully migrated to the 2008 model of ISO 9001. LRQA approval certificate number: LRQ 400 1392.

ISO 17025

In 1991 the Radiochemistry unit became accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 17025. UKAS Lab number 0941*.

This standard represents the basic requirements for a Quality Management System as illustrated by the ISO 9001 model but adds additional technical requirements needed to demonstrate competence in testing and/or calibration activities.

The UKAS multi-site accreditation (Lab number 1769*), was formed in 1997, encompasses one quality system across multiple regional laboratories and departments at VLA Weybridge. The ISO 17025 accreditation is supported by inter-laboratory proficiency testing provided by the Quality Assurance Unit (Lab number 0004*) whom is accredited by UKAS to ISO Guide 43.

*Scopes of accreditation are available for all three Lab numbers at www.ukas.com.

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

The Scientific Services Unit provides Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant facilities for its commercial laboratory services aimed in support of the development and licensing of veterinary products.

GLP statutory requirements are concerned with the organisational processes and the conditions under which test facilities conduct health and environmental safety studies that will be submitted to regulatory authorities for the purpose of risk assessment. Adherence to the principles of GLP verifies the validity and integrity of the studies conducted.

GLP is administered by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) an executive agency of the Department of Health.

Specific buildings within the Animal Service Unit and Histopathology are also GLP compliant.

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

The Scientific Services Unit is registered by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as a supplier of Contract Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Quality Control services.

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

GCP is a standard for the design, conduct, monitoring, recording, auditing, and reporting of clinical studies. Adherence to the standard provides:

  • assurance that the data and reported results are complete, correct and accurate
  • that the welfare of the study animals and the safety of the study personnel involved in the study are ensured
  • that the environment and the human food chains are protected

This standard applies to the conduct of a number of commercial studies carried out within the Scientific and Animal Services Units in accordance with VICH GL9 guidelines (International Co-operation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products.).

Joint Code of Practice for Research

In February 2004, VLA was successfully assessed by UKAS against the Code of Practice for Research projects. All research undertaken for Defra and the Food Standards Agency needs to comply with the Code of Practice to ensure that the research is 'fit for practice'. The Code provides a framework to ensure there are sufficient controls in place to undertake Government funded projects.

ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems

As part of the Defra family, VLA is fully committed to meeting the UK Government Sustainable Development strategy commitments. This means we have signed up to carry out our business in as environmentally friendly a way as we possibly can.

VLA gained corporate ISO 14001 certification in February 2007. We are committed to limiting our impact on the environment and details of our commitments are shown in our environment policy.