FHS Lab Q.A. Program

Fish Health Section Quality Assurance Program for Laboratories

The Fish Health Section (FHS) Standing Committee for Quality Assurance  has designed a multi-tiered program for quality assurance and quality control for aquatic animal laboratories. This program is designed for the many small-medium sized laboratories which currently do not have the resources to become accredited, while still raising the quality and credibility of laboratory diagnostic/inspection services throughout North America. This is a voluntary program that can be accomplished over time as resources become available.

Fish Health Laboratory QA/QC Committee

Tier 1 – Application Period for 2024

The Tier 1 phase requires applicants to provide establishment and documentation of quality assurance principals, based largely on Chapter 3 of the AFS-FHS Bluebook, including standard operating procedures for laboratory procedures and equipment, designation of key quality assurance personnel, as well as laboratory safety procedures. Please review the requirements before starting the application.

The application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at afsfhs00@gmail.com.

Tier 1 Application-click here to apply

 

Reference Documents:

Currently Recognized Tier 1 Laboratories

Tier 1 Renewal Application

Tier 1 (Pre-qualification) is valid for a period of five years. This program was developed to improve laboratory QA procedures and to encourage programs to pursue Tier 2 status. If a laboratory does not apply for Tier 2, they can renew their Tier 1 status within the five year timeframe.

If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 1 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with Tier 1 submission guidelines.  There will be a 1-year grace period applied to all applicants until September 2024.

Tier 1 status can be renewed by completing and submitting this application along with a $500 nonrefundable application fee. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, check the respective boxes, provide required materials and provide final signature from the laboratory director.

Applicants can contact the QA/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at afsfhs00@gmail.com to receive detailed instructions for submitting the application fee.

Submission date for each calendar year is September 1.

Renewing your Tier 1 Recognition

 

Tier 2 – Application Period for 2024

This program is a major step upward from the Tier 1 program, is somewhat complex and will likely take a significant amount of time and effort to achieve. This application relates to the second level of this process entitled “Tier 2 – Recognition”. There are several goals for this next level, including “raising the bar” even further from Tier 1, verification that many of the accomplishments asserted in Tier 1 have been achieved, and finally, preparation for potential entry into a laboratory network or actual accreditation with an existing program. To accomplish these goals, laboratories will need to achieve an integrated quality management system (QMS). Please review the requirements before starting the application.

The application deadline is September 1. Once you start your application, you can save and continue it at another time. For questions and communications, contact us at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com. Payments can be sent via check or completed online with PayPal (for an additional PayPal fee) by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer at afsfhs00@gmail.com. Once the application has been received, further instructions will be sent to allow uploading of additional required materials for Part 2.

Tier 2 Application: Part 1-click here to apply

Tier 2 Application: Part 2-click here to apply

Reference Documents:

Currently Recognized Tier 2 Laboratories

Tier 2 Renewal Application

Tier 2 (Recognition) is valid for a period of five years. The Tier 2 program was developed as a step process to encourage laboratories to pursue final Tier 3 status (Accreditation) according to ISO17025 standards. The QA/QC committee understands the requirement for final laboratory accreditation will take time and significant commitment to achieve. If final accreditation is not achieved within this period, laboratories can also renew their Tier 2 status by following guidelines provided throughout this document.

If a laboratory does not apply for renewal within this timeframe and their Tier 2 status has lapsed, a full application package will need to be resubmitted in accordance with annual Tier 2 guidelines.

Thoroughly review each category throughout this application. If your laboratory is in compliance with these criteria, provide required materials and provide a final signature from the laboratory director.

Applicants can contact the QA/QC committee at afsfhsqaqc@gmail.com to receive detailed instructions for submitting application forms and supporting documents. The FHS treasurer can be contacted at afsfhs00@gmail.com to receive detailed instructions for submitting the $1,200 nonrefundable application fee.

Submission date for each calendar year is September 1.

Renewing your Tier 2 Recognition

 

 

Tier 3- Information

This program is currently under development with the QA/QC Committee.  Please check back for updates regarding Tier 3 Certification.

 

Questions?  Email the QAQC Committee Members