AMS’ Laboratory Approval Service (LAS) approves, or accredits, other labs to perform testing services in support of domestic and international trade. At the request of industry, other Federal agencies, or foreign governments, AMS develops and administers laboratory approval programs to verify that the analysis of food and agricultural products meet country or customer-specified requirements.
Currently, LAS administers four overarching laboratory approval programs with over 70 labs. These programs are for mycotoxin testing in peanuts and tree nuts, export verification for meat and poultry products, testing for milk payments by the Federal Milk Market Administrators laboratories, and microbiological testing of poultry products for the Federal Purchase Program (FPP).
General Program Requirements
LAS ensures the testing of products marketed is conducted by qualified and approved laboratories. Laboratory Approval Program requirements include good laboratory, quality assurance and control practices, applicable domestic and international standards (such as ISO/IEC 17025), established methods and accepted equipment, and on-site audits. Laboratories voluntarily participate and pay program fees.
In addition to accreditation services, LAS audits other Federal laboratories to ensure high quality and consistent testing. If any industry, Federal or State agency or foreign government needs a program to verify appropriate laboratory testing, LAS can meet their needs.
If you would like to learn more about the AMS’ laboratory approval and accreditation service or provide feedback, please contact us at LAS@usda.gov.
For more information, contact:
Laboratory Approval and Testing Division
Science & Technology Program
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2908-S
Washington, DC 20250-0272
Phone: (202) 690-4089
LAS@usda.gov