“Stronger Together”
Legal status: Acte notarié n° 8.425. Folio 37-52 Volume CCXVI du 24 Mai 2013.
- Introduction of the role of test and calibration laboratories in facilitating trade
When the testing and calibration laboratories are accredited, the exchange of goods is facilitated by establishing multilateral agreements and the mutual trust between the 2 organizations concerning the testing results issued. - Who are we and why do we exist?
Launched on 17 April 2013 according to the Law n° 004/2001 of 20 July 2001 dealing with the general dispositions applying to Associations with non-profit purpose/aim and to Public Utility Establishments in DRC , we are an Association with non- profit purpose, called “Association Congolaise des Laboratoires “, in acronym , ASCOLAB.
The reasons of the creation of the ASCOLAB which gathers all sectors of the testing , analysis and calibration laboratories of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are to promote quality in the laboratories through implementation of the QMS according to ISO/EIC 17025, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC17043 which leads to accreditation or at least the Good Practices in Laboratories. - What do we do?
3.1. Mission
– Promotion quality in the laboratories;
– Promoting and facilitating the exchange of scientific and technical information between the public and private laboratories from any sectors;
– Accompanying the laboratory members in implementing the QSM according to ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 15189 and other MS standards (ISO 10012, ISO 45001…);
– Working up for the accreditation of laboratory members.
3.2. Vision
To be a center of excellence in the sharing and emergence of new trends in laboratory professions, inspired by international best practices.
3.3. Objectives
– To train the technical staff of laboratories in standards of quality management system (QMS), and in the QMS in laboratories specifically;
– To achieve the Quality Assurance of results;
– To encourage the laboratories to accreditation.
- How we can help you/Service offering
Services offering:
– Training : conducting by ASCOLAB Training Academia;
– Consultancy in implementation of QMS till to accreditation by ASCOLAB Coaching according membership’s demands;
– Developing and organizing proficiency testing (PT) schemes by ASCOLAB PT Programme;
– Performing external audit to assess the QMS put in place for those who have not internal auditors and qualification internal auditor (process) by ASCOLAB Coach Team;
– Coordinating the exchange of information and experiences between the membership for enhancing e their technical relations /skills;
– Any other activities related to quality in laboratories. - Activities Achieved
– Training: 442 certificates delivered (2020-2021) ;
– Coaching: Mineral testing laboratories GCM/LCP (Likasi)-TFM (Fungurume)-STL/GCM (Lubumbashi); – Visits: Calibration laboratory of OCC Lubumbashi and mineral Testing Laboratory of STL/GCM;
– Qualification of four internal auditors of GCM/LCP (Likasi);
– Exchange of information and experiences between the membership for enhancing e their technical relations /skills;, - Memberships (Testing, Calibration and Medical) – Public and private
Classification
| Ordinary members | Technical staff (Sampler and or Technician / Analysts) |
| Category extra large | ≥ 50 |
| Category 1 | >30 |
| Category 2 | 11-30 |
| Category 3 | 1-10 |
| Associate members | |
| Departments of faculties of universities and higher institutes and
Corporation |
|
| Individual personnel |
- Membership dues often paid under pressure – Nothing available in ASCOLAB BANK Account because one of our big challenges is collecting the membership fees.
The few have been collected are used directly to perform activities planned.
- Management of the MS-NLA: ASCOLAB/DRC-NLA
Executive committee
ASCOLAB daily management is in charge of the Executive Committee (EXCO) which is set up with 5 Administrators among whom there is a Chair helped by one Vice Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer and Marketing & Communication Responsible and PT Scheme Coordinator.
The Secretary is charged with all concerning the ASCOLAB correspondences and records. He helps the Chair in his daily administration matters.
The Treasurer is charged with all concerning the financial management of the Association. He presents the annual accountings at the GA and prepares the ASCOLAB budget. He is also Quality Manager.
ASCOLAB has also currently four Sub-Committees especially:
- ASCOLAB Training Academia;
- ASCOLAB Coaching Team;
- ASCOLAB PT Schemes (Mineral and medical);
- ASCOLAB Medical Programme.
In the inner of country; ASCOLAB has some liaison offices called “Liaison Bureaus” which are the representative of ASCOLAB Executive Committee in , Provinces. They are under the Secretariat supervision.
Cooperation at regional and international levels
ASCOLAB is a member of:
- SADC Regional Laboratory Association (SRLA) full member;
- SADC Cooperation in Accreditation stakeholder;
- EUROLAB International Affiliate;
- ILAC/LC full member and ILAC stakeholder Member
- How do you contact us?
Address:
Provisionally on Avenue, Chemin des Dames,
n°8, Quartier Ma Campagne, Commune de Ngaliema, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Email:
ascolabsecretariat2013@gmail.com ; ascolab2013@gmail.com;
kanamavikimbuya@gmail.com;
antokabamba@gmail.com.
Telephone Mobile:
+ 243 81 508 2006 (CEO) / +243 81 700 9154 (Secretary)
Website: – in progress - Important SQAM dates
- World Metrology Day, 20 May;
Celebrated under the patronage of the Ministry of Industries - World Accreditation Day, 9 June;
Celebrated under the patronage of the Ministry of Trade - World Standards Day, 14 October;
Celebrated under the patronage of the Ministry of Industries - World Quality Day, 2nd Thursday of November;
Celebrated under the patronage of ASCOLAB and others interested stakeholders