Quality is the building block of the future and a crucial element of our long-term success and existence.

Trust is one of our core values at the National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food. Therefore, we pay particular attention to ensure trust in our services, whether it involves test results, evaluations, opinions, or compliance with agreements. Trust is built on competence, demonstrated through accredited methods, certified quality management systems, acquired authorisations and permits.

We have been continuously improving the quality of our activities, services, and the manner of operation of the institute as whole, in accordance with the ISO 9001: 2015 certified quality management system.

With the activities accredited pursuant to SIST EN ISO/IEC 17020: 2012 and SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025: 2005, we ensure our clients internationally certified, independent, and impartial professional competence, provide credible testing and control results, and issue internationally recognised reports.

Supporting documents on established management systems and authorisations for performed activities:

• The Q 229 certificate with annex for quality management systems, according to SIST ISO 9001: 2015 Quality management systems - Requirements
• Accreditation certificate for LP-014 and annex to the LP-014 accreditation certificate Testing laboratories according to SIST EN ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and the Range of methods with flexible scope accreditation of the Centre for Chemical Analysis of Food, Water and Other Environmental Samples , and the Range of methods with flexible scope accreditation of the Centre for Environment and Health
• Inspection body under SIST EN ISO/IEC 17020: 2012 Conformity assessment - Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, K-115 Accreditation certificate for the inspection body in the field of waste compliance assessment,
• The GMP Certificate - the Novo mesto Chemical Analysis Department has integrated requirements of good manufacturing or laboratory practices (GMP/GLP), ensures conformity with CFR 21 Part 11/EU GMP Annex 11 and has been granted certificate.
• The GMP Certificate - the Maribor Microbiological Analysis Department operates in accordance with the CFR 21 Part 11/EU GMP Annex 11 requirements, which was also confirmed by the FDA inspection in 2016.
• The EDQM certificate (»Attestation«), which demonstrates UKL's compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and the OMCL laboratory guidelines.
• Certificate of the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA), which proves that we meet the requirements of the CEN standard EN 16636: 2015.

Quality policy

The NLZOH management has adopted the quality policy in accordance with strategic goals. All employees are familiar with the policy; moreover, it is also available to relevant stakeholders. The policy is verified and updated at management reviews.

Quality policy means a commitment to:

• Continuous improvement and update of the quality management system,
• Monitoring the quality of processes and services; setting and monitoring measurable quality goals,
• Best professional and laboratory practice and the improvement of services in accordance with the expectations, wishes, and requirements of stakeholders, and the applicable legal requirements in the fields of medical microbiological activity, environmental and health activities, chemical and microbiological analysis of food, water and other environmental samples, and the quality control of medicinal products,
• Raise awareness and inform employees and relevant stakeholders of changes and updates in connection with services and quality system management,
• Ensure the availability of resources for policy implementation,
• Involve employees in education, professional training, and the development of competences for the quality performance of our services,
• Ensure a suitable, safe and healthy working environment,
• Social responsibility towards employees with family-friendly company policies.

We verify trust in our services by participating in international interlaboratory comparison schemes.