What is NQTLD

The National Quality Testing Laboratories Division (NQTLD) is one of the four technical divisions that constitute Rwanda Standards Board and it 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, cooking stoves and textiles laboratories).

Why is product testing important?

The quality and safety of a product must comply with standards specifications before it is introduced on market. Testing laboratories infrastructure is one of the basic requirement for manufacturing industries. When a manufacturer doesn’t have testing facilities, it is recommended to seek testing services for raw materials used in production process and final/end product in order to comply with quality requirements of the given product.

There are different products standards specification requirements that many products need to meet in order to be consumed or used. To ensure the quality and reliability of produced products, testing of raw materials and end products is required. To avoid customers’ complaints and dissatisfaction, testing of products should be performed before distribution.

Why choosing NQTLD testing services

• Since 2007, NQTLD fulfills all ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories criteria to be selected as a competent testing service provider.

• Since 2018, NQTLD laboratories are accredited by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA), which is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). For more details, please visit: www.rsb.gov.rw or www.rva.nl.

• Testing service results are obtained within seven (7) working days.

• The laboratories operate five (5) days a week from Monday 7H00-17H00 up to Friday 7H00-15H00.

• The testing scope covers more than 300 tests/ analytes in various food and non-food products.

 Testing capacity and facilities

1. Human resources:

• Laboratory tests are performed by qualified, trained and motivated personnel

2. 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.)

3. Laboratory Quality Assurance:

• Laboratories are on regular basing participating in inter laboratory comparisons and proficiency testing schemes.

• Laboratories are using reference materials in laboratory quality control.

NQTLD testing scope

• 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)

For more information click here

Who needs quality Testing Services

• Manufacturers,

• Traders (Importers and exporters)

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

• Public institutions

• Research institutions

• Individual researchers

• Others

Accreditation:

Laboratory accreditation is a third-party assessment of a calibration or testing laboratory by the Laboratory Accreditation Body, to evaluate the laboratory’s compliance to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and any additional applicable accreditation policies.

The NQTLD accreditation scope is 20 parameters in areas of food chemistry and food microbiology.

For more detail  visit https://www.rva.nl/en/ ,

Testing and accreditation scope are progressively and periodically extended.

Accreditation declaration click here

Flow chart AND sample RECEPTION

• Testing services are prepaid.

• The proforma invoice/ quotation is prepared by the sample control center/NQTLD reception.

• Quotations can be requested online via info@rsb.gov.rw or by calling the hotline 3250 or telephone: +250788303492(Have a specific phone for NQTLD reception).

• The sample control center/NQTLD reception sends 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.

• 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 the online customer feedback or complaint form for the purpose of improvement.