Affinity Labs has been NATA accredited for 40 years. Image supplied
Affinity Labs, part of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), is celebrating 40 years of continuous NATA accreditation.
Accreditation by NATA signifies that an organisation is meeting or exceeding standards in the production and delivery of its conformity assessment activities. Affinity Labs said that the milestone “highlights the organisation’s long-standing commitment to scientific rigour and industry service”.
Dr Mark Krstic, managing director for AWRI, said that Affinity Labs have been the backbone that Australian wine producers rely on for four decades.
“As we have expanded our customer base, our NATA-accredited methods have given customers, and the markets they supply, absolute assurance their food and beverage products stand up to the rigours of safety, labelling and composition standards. As consumer demands continue to evolve, that assurance has never been more important,” he said.
The need for an internationally recongised, formal accreditation system became apparent following the boom in wine exports between 1983 and 2000 in Australia – where an increase from 3% of a 400,000-tonne vintage to 60% of almost 2 million tonnes was observed.
Affinity Labs achieved NATA accreditation back in 1986 when they were known as the AWRI Technical Service Laboratory, and it was one of the first accredited laboratories in the Australian wine industry. Affinity Labs said that this achievement came at a “pivotal moment” when wine exports to the European Economic Community (EEC) were surging and accredited VI-1 analyses became mandatory for market access.
Following accreditation, the AWRI established an interwinery analysis group to assist wineries in achieving their own NATA accreditation, “strengthening national capability and supporting the industry’s rapid export growth”.
General manager of commercial services Heather Mackenzie added that “NATA accreditation acts as a benchmark for technical competence and provides customers with confidence they are receiving accurate results”.
“Reaching 40 years of continuous NATA accreditation is central to maintaining Affinity Labs’ reputation as Australia’s leading supplier of analytical and consulting services to food and beverage producers,” she said.
In modern times, Affinity Labs handle a vast range of consulting and analytical testing services to the food and beverage industry, including chemical and microbiological analysis, sensory assessment and export certification services.
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