Setting up of a laboratory needs to be a well-designed systematic process. The first step is to ensure that the mission and business goal of the lab is clearly defined. These shall impact on the physical lay-out, set up, recruitment, equipment, safety and waste management decisions. Adequate identification and catering of these requirements shall allow to efficiently design, budget and implement your testing, quality control or a production laboratory.
Should you exigencies reach ISO 17025:2017 accreditation, Laboratory Catalyst has capabilities to hep you reach compliance.
Aa each laboratory setup has unique requirements based on its specific focus of activity and intended outcomes, the following steps need to be tailored to the situation for careful planning, preparation, and execution:
1. Clearly defining the purpose and objectives of the laboratory.
2. Determine the specific equipment and resources needed based on the focus of activity.
3. Estimation of the costs associated with setting up the laboratory, including equipment, supplies, personnel, and operational expenses.
4. Support in preparation of reports for funding from grants, investors, institutions, or other sources to cover these costs.
5. Evaluation of location in terms of space requirements, safety regulations, and accessibility needs.
6. Design of the Laboratory Layout for optimized workflow, safety, and efficiency.
7. Allocate separate areas for different tasks, such as experimentation, sample preparation, data analysis, and storage.
8. Support in procurement of equipment and supplies.
9. Arrange equipment and workstations according to the planned layout.
10. Installation and setup of equipment, including calibration and testing.
11. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various laboratory processes.
12. Document protocols, methodologies, and experimental procedures to ensure consistency and reproducibility.
13. Recruitment of qualified personnel with relevant expertise.
14. Provide training on laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and equipment operation.