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ISO 9001

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 9001:2000

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.

ISO/IEC 17025

In 1991 the Radiochemistry unit became accredited by United Kingdom Accreditation Service - UKAS (formally the National Measurement Accreditation Service to the M10 standard) to ISO/IEC 17025.

This standard represents the basic requirements for a Quality Management System as illustrated by the ISO 9001:2000 model but adds additional technical requirements needed to demonstrate competence in testing and/or calibration activities.

The UKAS Group, accredited in 1997, to ISO 17025, 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 Management Group whom are accredited by UKAS to ISO Guide 43.

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

The Scientific Services Unit provide 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, administered by the Department of Health, are concerned with the conditions under which laboratory safety studies are reported looking at the robustness and integrity of data.

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

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

The Licensed Products Unit of the Biotechnology Department is responsible for producing statutory biological products such as tuberculin and vaccines for anthrax. These are manufactured in Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant facilities equipped with clean rooms and containment level III facilities.

GMP statutory requirements assures that medicinal products are consistently produced with both production and quality control relevant to their intended marketing authorisation and product specification.

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 commercial studies carried out within the Scientific and Animal Services Units.

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.