All in a Day’s Work: Contract Labs Handle Problems Your In-house Lab Can’t

When choosing a customized laboratory, it is important to ask who will actually be performing the work, including both the analysis and the data interpretation. For unique challenges, investigational scientists must design and either supervise or perform the testing. Accreditations and regulatory registrations—if required—are important.

The laboratory facility itself must have the proper tools. A wide variety of instrumentation is important. This diversity of analytical techniques is useful when looking to identify an unknown material or seeking the source of a strange odor or flavor.

Quality and Communication

When choosing a lab, it is important to look for accreditation, which reflects the lab’s commitment to quality. “We prefer to see ISO 17025,” says Dr. LeVanseler, “but this level is not always available. If the facility we are considering does not meet this accreditation, we audit the facility to make sure they are meeting our standards.”

When asked what a client looks for in a contract testing lab, Dr. Bhandari does not hesitate: “Accuracy and quality. They should also ask about communication support. A client should not be left in limbo if there are further questions about the data and results.” Turnaround time is always important to the client, but accuracy and quality must come first. “Quick data may not be dependable, leading to questions and concerns that can take even more time to address,” Dr. Bhandari adds.

Consider the communication policy of a contract analytical facility before beginning a project. Who is your first contact with the company? Can they listen to the specific needs of your project and ask the right questions? When faced with customer complaints or legal challenges, a food manufacturer may need frequent updates and the direct availability of project managers or chemists for discussions. Confidentiality policies should also be considered.

Another key question: can the facility provide litigation support? “We sometimes try to avoid analyses that could have litigation impacts since we may not carry the necessary expertise or certification to provide adequate support in a court of law,” notes Dr. King. Chemir Analytical Services’ technical directors have presented testimony in depositions and trials in product liability, personal injury, and intellectual property cases. “We train our directors in the expert witness role by bringing in attorneys for mock trials and depositions,” says John Herries, PhD, senior director of analytical services for Chemir Analytical Services.

The Final Deliverable?

In the end, the best result is a solution to your problem. These results are best presented in a comprehensive report that includes original data, along with scientific interpretations. When appropriate, certificates of analysis should also be included; however, these are less relevant in non-routine, customized projects.

Turnaround time and cost are also important considerations. If your company is experiencing a manufacturing emergency, time may be of the essence. Be prepared for increased costs for expedited services. Rush costs may be balanced against manufacturing down time or potential legal challenges, however.

When comparing contract laboratory fees, make sure you are looking at similar investigative analyses. A customized laboratory will cost more than a routine lab. Be sure to make apples-to-apples comparisons when evaluating costs or comparing proposals from different labs.

Challenges for Contract Laboratories

The food and beverage industries are acutely aware of the need for reliable, accurate, and high quality contract laboratories. The GMA SmartBrief, a daily email newsletter, cites food safety as a key concern for the industry as members respond to consumer worries about domestic and international food sources. “Laboratories cannot sit idle,” says Dr. Bhandari of Silliker. “Sometimes the current situations result in clients needing testing tomorrow for a substance we’ve never heard of.”