Quality of services

With the initial aim of assuring the quality of test results, LATU launched its own quality management system in 1993. After six years, it obtained certification based on the ISO 9001 Standard, granted by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management (SQS). Today, the laboratory maintains the certification of its quality system based on ISO 9001 requirements, both in its headquarters in Montevideo and in the Fray Bentos Unit. Click here to see the scope of this certification.

LATU, a testing laboratory accredited by the Uruguayan Accreditation Body (OUA), identified as LE 009 (previously accredited by UKAS between 2009 and 2026 under the same standards), began its testing accreditation process based on the ISO/IEC 17025 standard in 1998. It currently has more than 300 accredited tests under ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The scope of accreditation can be found on this site. Testing accreditation based on the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 demonstrates LATU’s technical competence, impartiality, and performance capability as a testing laboratory.

As a National Metrology Institute, LATU is a signatory of the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) of the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM). Therefore, its calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) are reviewed and recognized by the world’s national metrology institutes that operate under that agreement. Click here to see the scope of the magnitudes declared.

LATU, as a Product Certification Body, is accredited by the Uruguayan Accreditation Body (OUA) under the requirements of ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and identified as OCP 005. Having started its accreditation process in 2007, it currently maintains an accreditation scope covering the certification of toy safety, the safety and energy efficiency of electric storage water heaters, the evaluation of plastic bags, and the safety of protective helmets for users of mopeds, motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles. The scope of this accreditation can be found on this site. This accreditation demonstrates LATU’s technical competence, impartiality, and performance capability as a certification body.

In August 2017, LATU obtained accreditation from the OUA as a Proficiency Testing Provider under the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023, identified as PEA 002, and was previously accredited by UKAS between 2014 and 2016 under the same standards. Proficiency testing is a fundamental tool for demonstrating a laboratory’s performance in carrying out analyses. This includes, among others, rounds of analysis of moisture and defects in rice, detection of microorganisms in food matrices, and physicochemical parameters and elements in drinking water. The scope of this accreditation can be found here. This accreditation constitutes the formal recognition of LATU’s technical competence to act as a Proficiency Testing Provider. In January of each year, the schedule of the proficiency tests offered is made available and can be found on this site.

In 2013, LATU and the Veterinary Laboratories Division (DILAVE) were included by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) in the list of official foreign laboratories designated by the government of that country. This system was created to facilitate the inspection procedures of the products imported by Japan; through the system, importers are allowed to use the results of the tests conducted by foreign laboratories as long as they have been authorized by the MHLW. Also in 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil (MAPA) recognized LATU as an authorized test and assays laboratory for the certification of olive oil exported by Uruguay.

In 2017, LATU was recognized by the International Olive Council (IOC) as a testing laboratory for physicochemical parameters of Type B olive oil - Advanced Testing. The IOC registration with the demonstration of recognition can be seen on the website.

In 2018 LATU obtained the recognition of GAFTA (Grain and Feed Trade Association) as an “Analyst” member of Grains and the recognition of FOSFA (Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Association) as an “Associate Analyst Member” member, in the oilseeds section. These acknowledgments imply compliance with the standards of these two prestigious international organizations that certify and regulate the grain trade worldwide. The GAFTA and FOSFA registration with the recognition demonstration can be accessed from www.gafta.com and www.fosfa.org respectively.

In November 2022, the OUA granted LATU accreditation as a calibration laboratory under the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, identified as LC 015, for the determination of blood alcohol concentration, the calibration of decaliter measures—volume measures intended for the verification of liquid fuel dispensers—and the characterization of climate chambers and autoclaves. The scope of this accreditation can be found on this site. This accreditation constitutes the formal recognition of LATU’s technical competence, impartiality, and performance capability as a calibration laboratory.

Quality Policy 

We promote the continuous improvement of the quality of our products, services and internal management, through the updating, transparency and efficiency of our processes, based on our principles and values.

Occupational health and safety

Based on the occupational health and safety policy, LATU maintains the certification of its occupational health and safety management system granted by SQS in 2015 following the requirements of OHSAS 18001. The scope of that certification can be found here.

The Occupational Health and Safety policy, based on the ISO 45001: 2018 standard, covers all the activities developed by LATU (Montevideo and Fray Bentos) inside and outside its facilities and the activities carried out by all person who visits or performs activities in such facilities.

Policy

The LATU develops its activities promoting the promotion and protection of health and safety at work, through responsible management within a framework of continuous improvement, through:

• The dissemination, awareness and commitment of employees and other people and organizations linked, which may affect or be affected.
• The establishment of safe and healthy working conditions for the prevention of injuries and deterioration of health.
• Compliance with current legal regulations and other standards related to the prevention of occupational risks.
• The identification and elimination of hazards and the reduction of risks.
• The consultation and participation of workers in the management system of Health and Safety at Work.

Environmental Management

Environmental management in LATU, based on ISO 14001: 2015, covers all activities, services, processes and products that are under the control or influence of LATU at its two locations (Montevideo and Fray Bentos), whether developed within or outside its facilities.

Policy

LATU develops its activities propitiating a responsible and sustainable management in a framework of improvement and care of the environment, through:

• The dissemination, involvement, awareness and commitment of employees and other stakeholders.
• Compliance with current legal regulations and other standards related to environmental matters.
• The identification of environmental aspects, the prevention, elimination, reduction and mitigation of their impacts.
• The application of improvements in technologies and practices that allow the reduction in the use of inputs with potential impact on the environment.

Organizations mentioned:

UKAS, the United Kingdom Accreditation Services, is the United Kingdom accreditation body. UKAS accreditation of tests, based on the requirements of ISO / IEC 17025, demonstrates the technical competence, impartiality and performance capacity of LATU as a testing laboratory.

OUA, The Uruguayan Accreditation Body

• The accreditation of tests by OAU, based on the requirements of ISO / IEC 17025, demonstrates the technical competence, impartiality and performance capacity of LATU as a testing laboratory.
• The accreditation of certification of products and processes by OUA under the requirements of ISO / IEC 17065, demonstrates the technical competence, impartiality and performance capacity of LATU as a certification body.
• The OUA accreditation, based on the requirements of the ISO / IEC 17043 standard, constitutes the formal expression of the technical competence of the LATU to act as a Proficiency Testing Provider.

SQS, the Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems, is a certification body member of IQNet (the only Swiss member), and as such, its certificates are recognized internationally. LATU’s Occupational Safety and Health Management System is certified based on the requirements of the ISO 45001:2018 standard, and its quality management system is certified based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 and its environmental management system based on the requirements of ISO 14001: 2015 in its two sites (Montevideo and Fray Bentos).

IQNet, the International Certification Network, is the global network for the certification of management systems. It integrates the world's leading organizations devoted to the promotion of standardization and quality management, including, but not limited to IAF (International Accreditation Forum), EA (European co-operation for Accreditation), ISO/TC 176 Quality Management, ISO/TC 207 Environment, among others. Here is a list of IQNet members.

FOSFA, Federation of Oilseed and Fats Association, is an international federation based in London that represents more than 700 members from 67 countries. This federation issues contracts and arbitrates exclusively regarding the world trade in oilseeds, oils and fats, this being the largest organization in the world of its kind.

GAFTA, Grain and Feed Trade Association, is an international organization with more than 700 member companies distributed in 75 countries. The members of this association participate in the trade of grains, by-products and legumes in all phases of the marketing chain, from production to final consumption. GAFTA members are merchants, brokers, banks, analytical laboratories, arbitrators, professional firms, lawyers, etc.

IOC, International Olive Council, is the only international organization in the world dedicated to olive oil and table olives. It was created in Madrid (Spain) in 1959 under the auspices of the United Nations. The Council contributes decisively to the responsible and sustainable development of the olive grove and constitutes a global forum where the policies to be adopted are discussed and the challenges facing the sector are addressed.