Export Laboratory Approval Program

AMS’ Laboratory Approval Service (LAS) plays a role in export verification by approving, or accrediting, labs to perform testing of meat and poultry products destined for export. Foreign governments often require products destined for their country to be tested for chemical residues, microorganisms, and/or parasites and they require the US government to oversee the testing and verify compliance.

The Export Laboratory Approval Program ensures the testing of products offered for export certification by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is conducted by qualified and approved laboratories. LAS collaborates with FSIS, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and the meat and poultry industries to administer a flexible and comprehensive program to provide reliable analyses of pesticide residues, environmental contaminants, veterinary drug residues, antibiotic residues, microorganisms, and parasites.

Program requirements for export testing include good laboratory, quality assurance and control practices, applicable domestic and international standards (such as ISO/IEC 17025:2005), proficiency testing, established methods and accepted equipment, and on-site audits. Laboratories voluntarily participate and pay program fees.

For more information, contact:

Lingsu Zhang, Ph.D., Program Manager
Laboratory Approval Service
Laboratory Approval and Testing Division
Science & Technology Program
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 3533-S
Washington, DC 20250-0272
Phone: (202) 690-4025
Lingsu.Zhang@ams.usda.gov

For more information on countries’ export requirements for meat and poultry products, visit FSIS’ website on exporting products. Also visit Quality Systems Verification Programs which provide companies that supply agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products or services.

Additional Resources