SR EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018, the standard under which the ICA R&D laboratory is accredited (RENAR certificate LI 871), requires laboratory activities to be carried out impartially and laboratory management to be committed to impartiality.
Management statement
To earn and keep confidence in the quality of our services, testing activities must be carried out in line with the principles of impartiality. Throughout its testing activities, the management of ICA Research & Development (ICA R&D) S.R.L. attaches particular importance to carrying out the activities of a testing laboratory impartially.
ICA R&D management’s policy is that all staff involved in testing are aware of, and responsible for, performing tests professionally, continuously meeting the requirements for competence, impartiality and objectivity.
To uphold this policy, ICA R&D top management and staff are not subject to any undue internal or external pressure, commercial, financial or otherwise, that could adversely affect the quality of testing.
ICA R&D management also continuously identifies and assesses potential threats to impartiality that may arise in its activities, and sets and applies measures to eliminate or reduce the risks to acceptable levels. Where impartiality is threatened by the actions of persons or organisations, ICA R&D undertakes to act promptly and respond appropriately. ICA R&D management asks all parties interested in its activity to disclose any situation that may present a potential conflict of interest affecting testing activities.
General Manager, Dr. Eng. Alexandru Cîrîc — 10.03.2025
Translation for information; the Romanian text prevails.
Confidentiality
Through legally enforceable commitments, ICA R&D is responsible for managing all information obtained or created during laboratory activities. All such information is treated as the client’s property.
Our staff are bound by confidentiality under their employment contract and job description. External collaborators and service providers are bound by confidentiality clauses in their contracts. Visitors, client representatives and auditors sign a confidentiality statement.
Samples move through the laboratory under codes only. Staff performing the tests have no access to client data.
ICA R&D does not disclose information about clients or test results without the client’s written consent, except where the law requires the laboratory to do so. In that case the client is informed, unless the law prohibits it. Like any laboratory performing food safety testing, ICA R&D is legally required to notify the competent authorities when results are non-compliant or may endanger consumer health. The client is informed of this obligation when placing the order.
Information about a client obtained from sources other than the client, for example from a complainant or an authority, remains confidential, and the identity of the source is not disclosed without the source’s consent.
Concerns and complaints
Concerns about impartiality and complaints can be sent to [email protected].
Complaints are submitted in writing, by e-mail or at our premises. A complaint must include the complainant’s identification details (name, address, phone, e-mail) and a clear description of the matter. Complaints received by phone are followed by a request to submit them in writing.
Receipt of the complaint is confirmed by e-mail. The complaint is registered and analysed by a committee appointed by management. If it proves justified, it is handled as nonconforming work: causes, corrections and corrective actions are determined. The final answer is sent within 30 days of receiving the complaint.
The complainant may appeal the answer. The appeal is examined with the participation of the General Manager, and the decision is communicated within 10 days of receiving the appeal.