MNRE Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga cuts the ribbon to celebrate the accreditation milestone and opening of new SROS facilities

On Thursday of last week, a landmark was reached by the  (SROS) when internationally recognised accreditation agency IANZ (International Accreditation of New Zealand) officially recognised their Chemistry and Food Safety laboratories. 

Adding to the prestige, the SROS laboratory facilities are also the first in the South Pacific region to be awarded a microbiology accreditation.

Speaking at the official launching ceremony at SROS headquarters in Nafanua, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was optimistic that Samoa’s economy will benefit from the accreditation.

“This gives a positive outlook on Samoa’s access to EU (European Union) markets for export of fresh tuna.  These markets, together with New Zealand, Australia and Japan, set stringent standards for exports of potential trading partners and they will demand certification by international accredited laboratories like SROS before access.”

Tuilaepa also outlined further advantages to be gained from the IANZ nod.

“SROS is in a position to assist the private sector with its strive to obtain better value for their products.”

Several government portfolios will work together with SROS in terms of “policing conformance to standards in various legislations under their jurisdiction”, said the Prime Minister.

It is understood that these will include the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Financial assistance was provided from the Food and Agriculture Organisation or FAO, for the IANZ assessment process.

Launched in tandem at the ceremony was a new building in the SROS compound.  Built at a cost of $600,000 by National Carriers Company, the new building will house the Board meeting room, new offices for the CEO and personnel and a new laboratory to assess export potentials of agricultural commodities.

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Renate Rivers