Proven Laboratory Accreditation Makes Indonesian Commodities More Ready to Penetrate International Markets

The Indonesian Quarantine Authority (Barantin), through its Centre for Quarantine Standard Testing for Animals, Fish, and Plants, has once again obtained re-accreditation as a testing laboratory based on SNI ISO/IEC 17025:2017 concerning General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. This re-accreditation serves as recognition of the technical competence of the Quarantine Standard Testing Laboratory (LP-390-IDN) in producing accurate, consistent, and reliable data and test results. During the re-accreditation process, the Quarantine Standard Testing also applied for an Expansion of Accreditation Scope (PRLA) for the Animal Quarantine, Fish Quarantine, and Plant Quarantine laboratories, as well as Food/Feed Safety and Quality. This step is part of efforts to strengthen laboratory capacity to support increasingly developing testing needs. Head of Quarantine Standard Testing, Risma J.P. Silitonga, stated that one of the important achievements in the PRLA application is the addition of aflatoxin parameters for nutmeg commodities. Through this scope expansion, the Quarantine Standard Testing Laboratory will proceed with the registration process to become a recognised aflatoxin testing laboratory for nutmeg in accordance with European Union standard requirements. This recognition through re-accreditation demonstrates the institution’s commitment to maintaining international-standard laboratory service quality. ‘This re-accreditation shows that the Quarantine Standard Testing Laboratory has maintained and continuously developed competence. Accurate and accountable test results form an important foundation in supporting the smooth trade of Indonesian commodities in the global market,’ she said. According to her, the existence of an accredited laboratory not only guarantees the quality of test results but also increases the trust of export destination countries in commodities originating from Indonesia. This is an important factor in meeting various technical requirements set by trading partner countries. Risma further explained that with the increasingly broad scope of accreditation, Quarantine Standard Testing is expected to provide more optimal support for the quarantine system and international trade. Strengthening laboratory competence is also part of the Indonesian Quarantine Authority’s efforts to accelerate exports of national superior commodities, including nutmeg, to the European Union market and various other destination countries.