KRISP team Complete SANAS Accreditation

Durban, April 2025 — The scientific scientists from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) have taken a major step forward in strengthening laboratory excellence by completing a rigorous five-day training course on the ISO/IEC 17025 standard — the global benchmark for testing and calibration laboratories.

The training, which took place under the guidance of Mponeng Poo, Managing Director of QualExpect Consulting Services, provided the KRISP team with an in-depth understanding of the legal, structural, and documentation requirements necessary to align with the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). The course is considered essential preparation for laboratories seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.

Poo, a seasoned expert in laboratory accreditation, not only coached the team through the fine print of the standard but also demonstrated how the principles of ISO/IEC 17025 would apply specifically to KRISP’s cutting-edge research and diagnostic operations. The training included practical strategies to ensure competence and consistency in providing accurate and reliable results — a critical component in achieving and maintaining accreditation.

KRISP is already ISO 15189 accredited for Sanger sequencing and drug resistance testing and it is now preparing the NGS laboratory to also achieve ISO 17025 accrediation. In addition, KRISP is increasing its not-for-profit service as a platform of the South African Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).