Food Testing Laboratories Appointed Analysts
Only laboratories approved as an Analyst under Section 34 of the Imported Food Control Act 1992 are permitted to analyse food sampled by AQIS under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS). Appointed Analysts are required to comply with the Conditions for Appointment of Analysts and may perform tests as indicated in the list of Appointed Analysts Testing Capability Matrices document.
Please note: AQIS has implemented new Conditions of Appointment as of 27 July 2009. More information on the changes.
Following are the conditions and information relating to Appointed Analysts:
- Appointed Analysts and the Services Provided Matrices
- Conditions for Appointment of Analysts/Laboratories
- List of Approved Food Testing Laboratories (Appointed Analysts)
The Laboratory Information Kit contains important information for current Appointed Analysts and provides details on the process of how a laboratory applies to become an Appointed Analyst.
Laboratory Information Kit 
PDF [755kb]
Laboratory Information Kit 
Word [737kb]
The IFP Testing Guidelines contain important information for laboratories on requirements for tests currently undertaken under the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
IFP Testing Guidelines PDF [221kb]
IFP Testing Guidelines Word [659kb]
Electronic reporting of test results
Appointed Analysts are required to report the results of analysis electronically to the AQIS eResults system. To do this, each Appointed Analyst must develop the electronic capability to interface with eResults. There are three documents available to assist you with developing the capability for this electronic reporting, which can be obtained by emailing the Laboratory Contact Officer.
If you have any queries regarding the set-up for reporting to eResults, please contact the AIMS administrator.
Exemption to eResults
Laboratories must be appointed and comply with the conditions of appointment to undertake testing under the IFIS. However, for laboratories seeking only to sub-contract their testing services to other Appointed Analyst laboratories, an exemption to eResults capability will be made in their appointment.
New Conditions of Appointment
On 27 July 2009, AQIS implemented new conditions of appointment for Appointed Analysts. The new Conditions of Appointment will incorporate some minor changes as well as the following three major changes:
- The Appointed Analyst must ensure that any sub-contract testing performed under the Act (Imported Food Control Act 1992) is arranged only with other Appointed Analysts (ie. any sub-contracted laboratory must be an Appointed Analyst)
- The addition of requirements for laboratories to participate in some form of performance assessment eg. proficiency testing or intra-laboratory check sample programs
- Appointment as an Analyst under Section 34 of the Act will be reviewed by AQIS on a 24 monthly basis. Suspension or revocation within the 24 month period of the appointment may also occur where the Appointed Analyst fails to comply with requirements outlined in the Conditions document.
How to apply to become an AQIS Appointed Analyst
To become an Appointed Analyst under the new Conditions of Appointment, please download and review the information in the Laboratory Information Kit.
The Application Checklist in the Laboratory Information Kit (found in Appendix 2) will assist you in covering off all the requirements for your application.
For your application to be successful, please include the Application Checklist as the covering page when submitting your application.
Before becoming appointed, you will need to provide all the information as requested in the Application Checklist and successfully complete the testing phase of eResults.
Once you have completed all the requirements of becoming appointed, a letter of appointment and Instrument of Appointment will be sent out to you to indicate that your laboratory will then be able to commence testing for the Imported Food Inspection Scheme (IFIS).
Should you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Laboratory Contact Officer on 02 6272 5488 or by email.
