Are your lab certifications in order?
It’s a simple question. But one that has big consequences. If you’re a lab manager, researcher, technician, or student – chances are, you’ve ordered lab essentials at some point without fully checking what certifications they carry. You’re busy. You’ve got experiments to run, samples to process, results to deliver.
Still, certifications matter.
In fact, they’re more than a formality. They tell you whether your laboratory is working with equipment and materials that are accurate, compliant, and safe. In South Africa, where labs like NHLS, CSIR, and Lancet Laboratories are known for their high standards, certification is a core part of daily operations.
Let’s break it down. We’ll look at why lab certifications matter, which ones you should know about, and how they affect your everyday work. Whether you’re in diagnostics, education, pharma, or food testing – this matters to you.
What Are Lab Certifications?
Lab certifications are formal approvals issued by accreditation bodies to show that a laboratory, product, or piece of lab equipment meets defined safety, quality, and operational standards. These certifications help build trust. They confirm that what you’re buying, using, or producing is reliable.
Think of certifications as a promise – a promise that equipment will behave the way it’s supposed to, and that results will be consistent across labs.
In South Africa, the main certification bodies you’ll come across are:
- SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) – our country’s official body for laboratory accreditation.
- SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) – known for approving products and processes according to national standards.
- International ISO standards – globally recognised benchmarks that many South African labs follow.
Why Lab Certifications Matter to You
Here’s what happens when your laboratory operates without proper certification or uses uncertified equipment:
- Results may be inaccurate or unreliable.
- You may fail audits or lose client trust.
- In regulated sectors like food safety or clinical diagnostics, it could be illegal.
- Your lab might be excluded from international research collaborations.
Now, let’s flip it around. Here’s what happens when your lab essentials are certified:
– Better Accuracy
Certified equipment ensures consistency across tests. Whether you’re measuring pH levels or running spectrophotometry, calibration matters.
– Credibility and Compliance
You meet the regulatory expectations set by bodies like the Department of Health, SANAS, or even your university’s internal quality assurance unit.
– Market Access
Certified labs can share data with international research centres, join partnerships, and publish more widely.
– Safety
Certified products are tested for chemical safety, electrical safety
Lab Certifications Every South African Lab Should Know
Whether you’re stocking up on lab equipment for a university, hospital, or private facility, these certifications are worth keeping on your radar:
1. ISO/IEC 17025 – Testing and Calibration Labs
This is the gold standard for most labs. It proves your lab is technically competent and that your results are valid. Most SANAS-accredited labs in South Africa operate under ISO/IEC 17025.
Example:
CSIR’s Biosciences Unit operates under ISO/IEC 17025, ensuring high-quality testing in food, water, and agricultural sciences.
2. ISO 9001 – Quality Management
This standard applies more to systems than to testing methods. It shows that your lab (or the supplier you’re buying from) has strong processes in place for managing quality.
Example:
Many South African suppliers and manufacturers – including some medical device companies and universities – are ISO 9001 certified to demonstrate consistency.
3. GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)
GLP is essential in research labs, especially those handling clinical trials or pharmaceutical studies. It’s often a legal requirement for labs working with regulated products.
Example:
South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) follows GLP principles in many of its health research units.
4. ISO 15189 – Medical Labs
Focused specifically on medical laboratories, this standard ensures labs that perform diagnostic tests have quality management systems in place. It’s a must-have for any lab handling patient samples.
Example:
Lancet Laboratories – one of South Africa’s leading pathology labs – is ISO 15189 accredited for clinical testing.
How This Affects What You Buy
So, how do lab certifications translate to the lab essentials and lab equipment you use every day?
Here’s how:
- Glassware and plasticware: Certified beakers, flasks, pipettes, and tubes undergo strict quality control. This ensures measurements are accurate and materials don’t react unpredictably with chemicals.
- Instruments and machinery: Certified spectrometers, centrifuges, and pH meters come with calibration certificates and user guides aligned with regulatory requirements.
- Reagents and chemicals: Certified suppliers provide batch-traceability, safety data sheets, and storage guidelines to keep your lab compliant.
That’s why buying from a trusted source like Lab Buddy makes a difference. All our products come from vetted suppliers. Many of the items in our store meet international certification standards – so you can shop with confidence.
Certification and Audits – Avoiding the Last-Minute Panic
If you’ve ever had to prepare for a SANAS audit or internal review, you’ll know the stress of trying to pull documentation together at the last minute. Having certified products, with paperwork ready, takes pressure off your team.
Some key things to keep handy:
- Product datasheets
- Calibration certificates
- Supplier accreditation documents
- Internal SOPs referencing compliant equipment
Lab Buddy can help here too. We’re building a support section that will allow you to download certificates and technical documents directly from product pages – making audit prep far easier.
What Happens When You Cut Corners?
Let’s be real. Sometimes, to save money or speed up procurement, labs turn to uncertified suppliers or “cheap” equipment. But here’s what you’re risking:
- Inaccurate results: Even small measurement errors can ruin an entire experiment or diagnosis.
- Damaged reputation: Clients and collaborators won’t trust your results.
- Legal or funding setbacks: You could lose grants, funding, or accreditation.
- Health and safety violations: Faulty products can lead to accidents or hazardous exposure.
The better question is – why take the risk?
South African Labs Leading the Way
Several labs across South Africa are setting the benchmark when it comes to certification and operational excellence. Here are a few worth knowing:
- NHLS – National Health Laboratory Service: Plays a vital role in disease surveillance, especially in rural areas, and is known for ISO 15189 adherence.
- UCT’s Division of Chemical Pathology: Incorporates certified lab practices in training future medical scientists.
- Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of AgriSciences: Uses ISO-compliant systems in research around food safety, plant pathology, and soil testing.
These institutions don’t just uphold certification – they build it into their operations, staff training, and procurement policies.
Final Thoughts – Why It Pays to Choose Certified Lab Essentials
When it comes to running a reliable, compliant, and high-performing lab, the value of certification can’t be overstated. It’s not just about ticking boxes – it’s about building a culture of excellence and responsibility.
At B&M Scientific, and through our Lab Buddy store, we take pride in sourcing lab essentials and lab equipment that meet recognised certification standards. B&M Scientific is an ISO certified distributor of lab essentials and equipment. Whether you’re running routine diagnostics, complex research, or teaching future scientists, we want to help your lab perform at its best – every time.
