The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) granted the Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) continuing accreditation based on ISO/IEC 17025:2017. This set of standards specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories.
The letter from PAB Director James E. Empeño, dated 1 June 2020 says: “This is a well-deserved recognition of your commitment and the hard work of your laboratory staffs in the development and implementation of laboratory management systems.” PIPAC’s accreditation will continue until 21 July 2024.
The preparation for the re-accreditation was not straightforward. For one, the 2017 version of the ISO/IEC 17025 contained new requirements that were not in the 2005 version. PIPAC had to work on these additional items prior to the visit. Moreover, PIPAC was in the midst of streamlining its business processes and re-evaluating job positions of both laboratory and non-laboratory personnel. At the same time, PIPAC analysts were warming up to some newly installed equipment. Notwithstanding, the PAB assessment held last 11-12 December 2019 was resourcefully carried out.
PIPAC would like to thank Dr. Armando Jerome de Jesus, Jr., PIPAC Quality Assurance Head, for spearheading the re-accreditation process. Thanks too to Mrs. Thelma Parreñas, Laboratory Manager, and the laboratory analysts who ably explained, articulated and responded to the technical and analytical probing of the PAB assessment team.
PIPAC in a time of pandemic continues to operate its laboratories and receive samples for essential products from clients mandated to ensure uninterrupted operations. It is among the few analytical testing laboratories that remained open to serve the public while Metro Manila was under strict community quarantine.
In these challenging times, PIPAC remains steadfast and has evolved even more committed to its core values of EXCELLENCE, INTEGRITY, and SERVICE. This recognition affirms that, and augurs well for PIPAC as it moves towards its 50th anniversary in 2022.
