BCN, May 2016.- The Centre Nacional d’Anàlisi Genòmica (CNAG-CRG), one of the leading genome analysis centers in Europe is pleased to announce that has been accredited according to UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard by ENAC (Entidad Nacional de Acreditación) who is an independent non-profit organization appointed as the Spanish National Accreditation Body. UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005 is an international standard for laboratories that specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests.

“Since CNAG started its operation in 2010 one of the most important elements of the offering to our collaborators was the quality of the data”, said Ivo Glynne Gut, the director of CNAG-CRG. “Both international standards we are now registered for are strategic tools that minimize errors, increase productivity and insure reaching the highest standards possible to be able to fulfil the expectations of our collaborators.”

Of the European public sector genomic research institutions CNAG-CRG, together with SciLifeLab in Sweden, is pioneering the strict quality management approach of ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 which focuses on the technical competence. All RNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing, also with FFPE as the starting material, whole genome sequencing and uniquely whole genome bisulfite sequencing applications passed the external review process and audit of ENAC. In particular, the auditors assessed the sophisticated in-house developed LIMS database - the essential data management tool for managing the laboratory workflow, samples, reporting and compliance requirements.

“Under our roof are certified provider partnerships with Illumina (CSPro™), Agilent (CSP) and CNAG is part of the Certified Provider program of Cambridge Epigenetix (CEGX); both ISO registrations are a logical continuation to reflect the quality of our internal processes, procedures and culture of our work,” said Marta Gut, head of the CNAG-CRG sequencing unit.