Health Protection Agency

Overview of Quality Standards at SRMD, Colindale

The Specialist and Reference Microbiology Division (SRMD) Colindale is a large institute, consisting of seventeen reference and support laboratories, including the Quality Assurance Laboratory (QAL) which runs the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for microbiology, and the Communicable Disease Microbiology Support Services Division which contains the National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) and the Evaluations and Standards Laboratory.

One quality system is in place within the institute which supports all of these laboratories and is managed from within the Evaluations and Standards Laboratory. SRMD Colindale has a Quality Manager (also the Deputy Director, Evaluations and Standards Laboratory) who is responsible for maintaining the documentation for the whole of SRMD Colindale and for co-ordinating quality management in support of individual Laboratory Accreditation Officers.

The seven reference laboratories are all accredited to CPA. The Quality Assurance Laboratory is accredited to the CPA EQA Standard. The London Food, Water and Environmental Laboratory within the Food Safety Microbiology Laboratory is accredited by UKAS to ISO 17025, as is the media quality control laboratory which operates within the Communicable Disease Microbiology Support Services Division and performs quality control of all media produced by CfI Media Services. The National Collection of Type Cultures and CfI Media Services are registered to BS EN ISO 9001:2000.

The Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit within the Food Safety Microbiology Laboratory, which runs the Food Microbiology EQA scheme, is UKAS accredited against ISO/IEC Guide 43-1:1997. Currently, SRMD Colindale is working towards achieving the Investors in People Standard. We are currently undergoing a review of our activities by an IiP consultant and intend to be inspected against the Standard later this year. Our commitment to being recognised as an 'Investor in People' highlights the importance we give to supporting the development of staff.

All the laboratories within SRMD Colindale have a reputation for excellence based on the calibre of staff and their dedication to producing the highest quality service. By maintaining a quality system and obtaining accreditation to whichever standards are appropriate, SRMD Colindale is showing its continued commitment to maintaining and enhancing its reputation across all aspects of the work of the institute.

Contact the CfI Head of Quality, Dr Ian R Sharp
Deputy Director, Evaluations and Standards Laboratory

CPHL UKAS Accreditation Certificate (PDF document)

Laboratory CPA Accreditation Certificates