Within the framework of its pivotal national role as the sole accreditation body in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and in line with its ongoing efforts to strengthen the national quality infrastructure and enhance confidence in conformity assessment results at both the national and international levels, the Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) announced the successful completion of the first surveillance assessment of the Proficiency Testing Unit (GOEIC PTU) of the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC), resulting in the extension of its accredited scope in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO/IEC 17043:2023 for proficiency testing providers.
The surveillance assessment was conducted by a specialized EGAC evaluation team and included a comprehensive review of both technical and managerial aspects of the unit’s operations. The assessment covered the effectiveness of the implemented quality management system, the competence of personnel, the procedures for the design and implementation of proficiency testing schemes, sample preparation and homogeneity verification, statistical analysis of results, reporting mechanisms, and overall compliance with the applicable international standard requirements.
Following the successful completion of the assessment activities, EGAC approved the extension of the accredited scope to include a number of vital technical fields serving key economic and industrial sectors, including:
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Chemical and physical testing of edible oils
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Determination of heavy metals in drinking water
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Determination of specific migration of heavy metals from food contact materials and articles
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Determination of additives and caffeine in beverages
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Food microbiology testing
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Chemical testing of household detergent powders
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Chemical testing of bar soaps
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Identification of polymer type (material characterization) and thermal properties of plastic polymers
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Determination of pH value and formaldehyde in textiles
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Determination of chemical composition of metal alloys
This accredited scope extension represents a significant advancement for the national proficiency testing system in Egypt. Proficiency testing programs constitute a fundamental requirement for laboratories seeking and maintaining accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, as they provide an objective mechanism to verify technical competence, ensure the reliability of testing and measurement results, and strengthen confidence in laboratory performance.
EGAC affirms that the development and expansion of accredited proficiency testing providers is a cornerstone in supporting the credibility of conformity assessment activities, enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian products, and facilitating the acceptance of test results in international markets. This is particularly important within the framework of the international multilateral recognition arrangements to which EGAC is a signatory, including those of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), and relevant regional accreditation cooperation bodies.
This achievement reflects the constructive cooperation between EGAC and the General Organization for Export and Import Control, as well as the commitment of both parties to strict compliance with international standards, impartiality principles, technical competence, and institutional discipline, thereby reinforcing the position of Egypt’s quality infrastructure at both the regional and global levels.
The Egyptian Accreditation Council will continue its efforts to develop and expand accreditation activities across all relevant sectors, strengthen the integration of the national quality infrastructure, and support sustainable economic development through enhancing trust in Egyptian conformity assessment services and the global recognition of accredited results.
