National Quality Testing Laboratories

1.    National Quality Testing Laboratories (NQTL) structure 

The NQTLD is one of the five divisions that constitute Rwanda Standards Board and is composed of three units:

    Chemical Laboratories Unit ( Organic , inorganic , petroleum  food , agriculture and mycotoxins Laboratories)
    Biotechnology Laboratories Unit ( microbiology laboratory )
    Materials Testing Laboratories Unit ( building materials, non-destructive mechanical, polymers and textiles laboratories)
 
2.    NQTLD  primary function  

to provide testing services for a wide range of products

    Processed Foods ( coffee, tea, sugar, honey, flour, jam, tomato products, milk products, meat  products, etc)
    Unprocessed Food ( cereal products, fruits, vegetables,  milk, meat, etc)
    Beverages  ( soft drinks , alcoholic beverages, wines, juices, liquors , beer,
    Water (potable water, drinking water, bottled water, etc.)
     Animal feeds 
    Cosmetics & Soaps (jellies, lotion, partum, hair lotion laundry, hand soap, sanitizer, etc.)
    Fertilizer products ( chemical fertilizer , organic fertilizer , etc)
    Hygienic products ( baby diapers , sanitary pads, table napkin, toilette paper,   )
    Packaging material ( shopping bags, storage bags)
    Textiles and leather products ( shoes, bags, belt, uniforms, clothes, tents )
    Condoms  
    Building materials products  ( cement, roofing sheets,  steel bars ,electrical cables,  water pipes, tiles , bricks and blocks, paints , etc)   
    Petroleum and biodiesel products
    Environmental swabbing ( microbial contamination test, sterility checks )
    Bacterial Filtration Efficiency test ( filtration unit machine )

3.    NQTLD capacity and facilities 

Human resources
    Laboratory tests  are performed by qualified ,trained and motivated personnel     

Laboratory equipment and test methods
    Laboratories are equipped with modern and automated machines with high precision.
    Laboratories are using updated international test methods ( ISO/IEC ,ASTM, AOAC, etc )   

Laboratory Quality Assurance
    Laboratories are on regular basing participating in inter laboratory comparisons and proficiency testing schemes.
    Laboratories are using reference material in laboratory quality control.
 
4.    NQTLD testing service and accreditation scope
 
    The NQTLD covers more than  300 tests/ analytes in various food and non-food products , for more details visit  www.rsb.gov.rw :
    NQTL TESTING SCOPE.
    Testing service is provided within seven (7) working days.
    The laboratories operate five (5) days a week from Monday 7H00-17H00 up to Friday 7H00-15H00
    All laboratories operate in accordance with the International standard ISO/IEC 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” sincere 2007.
    Laboratories are international accredited  sincere 2018 by Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA) member of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation  (ILAC)
    Twenty (20 ) parameters  in area of food chemistry and  food microbiology are accredited , for more details visit  www.rsb.gov.rw or www.rva.nl  : All accredited bodies)
    Testing and accreditation scope are progressively and periodically extended.

5.    HOW TO GET TESTING SERVICE?        

    Testing services are provided after payment (prepayment services).
    The profoma invoice/ quotation is prepared by the sample control Centre/reception for NQTLD
    Request of quotation can be requested online via info@rsb.gov.rw or by calling  the hotline 3250
    The sample control centre/reception for NQTLD send  the quotation to the customer 
    The proof of payment is submitted at the time of sample submission.
    Contract is signed and service delivery time is communicated.
    Laboratories test results are timely delivered (Within 7 working days).
    When laboratory analysis is completed, the customer is notified and test report is shared through email.
    Customers are encouraged to comment on services rendered by filling customer feedback or complaint for the purpose of improvement.

6.    WHY PRODUCTS TESTING IS IMPORTANT

There are product standard specification requirements that many products need to meet in order to be consumed or used.
    To ensure the quality and reliability of produced food or material, testing of raw materials and end products are required.
    To avoid complaints and dissatisfaction of customers, testing of products should be tested before distribution.

7.   ADDRESS AND CONTACTS

RWANDA STANDARDS BOARD
KK 15 RD, 49; P.O BOX 7099 Kigali – Kicukiro
Tel: +250 788 303492, Hotline: 3250
Email: info@rsb.gov.rw