DOST VI lab provides testing services to MSMEs, LGUs
The Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) through its Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL) offers a wide variety of laboratory and testing services to benefit Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and other institutions.
One of the roles taken by the RSTL is to provide calibration and laboratory services to industries, academe, local government units, private institutions, and individuals in Western Visayas, and assist students in ways such as but not limited to consultancy services and use of facilities.
The RSTL’s laboratory services are vital in helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) develop products efficiently and properly adhere to quality assurance requirements.
Moreover, these services are just as important to Local Government Units (LGUs) and other public institutions, especially in catering to public welfare concerns and consumer protection. The laboratory also benefits and supports the academe in Research and Development (R&D) undertakings through their laboratory services. It is accredited by the Department of Health – Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (DOH-BHFS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) based on the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
The RSTL comprises three laboratories, namely: The Microbiological Testing Laboratory (MTL), the Chemical Testing Laboratory (CTL), and the Metrology Laboratory (MTRL).
The MTL offers testing services for Food and Food Products, Bacteria Present in Water (Drinking, Well Water, Source, Finished Product, Dialysis Water, and Ice), Wastewater/ Environmental Water, and Swab on Food Contact Surfaces.
Meanwhile, the CTL offers testing services on the physico-chemical properties of Water, Alcoholic Drinks, Beverage and Preparation, Fats and Oils, Food and Feeds, Sugar and Syrups, Salt, Limestone, Quicklime, Hydrated Lime, and Shelf-Life Testing of Food and Food Products.
Furthermore, the MTRL provides calibration services on Mass Calibration, Temperature Calibration, General Volume Calibration, Volume Calibration for Road Tankers and Proving Tanks, and On-site Calibration.
In addition, to meet the needs of its customers, the DOST VI RSTL uses an online platform through the OneLab project. The platform provides customers wide access to testing services of all ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited DOST laboratories and other OneLab network member laboratories (private labs) and gives standardized services and fees with timely and accurate test and calibration results. Testing services under OneLab include chemical, physical, microbiological, and radiological testing of water, wastewater, food, wood, furniture, textile, paper metals and electronic products and calibration of mass, volume, temperature, pressure, and length, among others. (JGagajena, DOST VI-KMU)