The Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (NP) has announced that its laboratory has achieved the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025:2017.
This accreditation, which was granted by the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service, recognises the competence of NP’s laboratory to provide technically valid viscosity test results.
“This achievement is of strategic importance for NP as it enhances the public’s confidence in the company’s test results and improves its ability to compete globally and regionally, access new markets, and pursue additional contract blends. The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 certification demonstrates that NP’s Laboratory has a well-structured quality management system in place to minimise risks and promote quality,” NP stated in a release.
NP said as a leading provider of world-class blends of lubricants, including engine oils, gear oils, industrial oils, and transmission fluids, the accurate determination of viscosity is essential to the specifications and final use of its products.
The laboratory is equipped with temperature-controlled baths, viscometers, calibrated stopwatches, thermometers, certified reference material, and suction devices to determine the viscosity of transparent liquids at 40˚C and 100˚C in accordance with ASTM D445-21e2, NP stated.
“The accreditation process was led by the Trinidad and Tobago Laboratory Accreditation Service (TTLABS) and was supported by NP’s general manager, Core Business Support, Kevin Motilal, manager, Lubricants, Valene Robertson, laboratory superintendent Peter Ransome, QMS officer Afton Collymore, and a consultant, Lori Ann Keane. Funding for the accreditation was provided through the Public Sector Investment Programme - Accreditation Programme for Public Laboratories, which is executed by the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards,” NP stated.
NP said it is committed to maintaining this international standard and upholding the quality management system for its products.