(1) A food laboratory shall have the following obligations, namely:-
(a) it shall perform all tests in the approved premises as per the valid scope of recognition:
Provided that such laboratory may get tests carried out through sub-contracting with any other food laboratory with prior permission of the Food Authority.
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(b) it shall inform any change in its name, address, constitution or scope of accreditation to the Food Authority as specified in regulation 7;
(c) it shall inform the Food Authority of any change in the Quality Management System within a period of fifteen days along with the communication forwarded to the accreditation body and seek approval of the Food Authority for such change and it shall not carry out sampling or accept any sample for testing, till such approval is given;
(d) it shall inform any change in key personnel in relation to quality assurance, key technical functions or senior management of to the Food Authority through its online platform within a period of fifteen days;
(e) it shall inform the Food Authority immediately about the major changes or breakdown in the equipment which may affect testing of the relevant products or compliance with the requirements of the Act and rules or regulations made thereunder with reasons thereof, and it shall not carry out sampling or accept any sample for testing during such breakdown;
(f) it shall inform the Food Authority within five working days about the suspension or withdrawal of accreditation from relevant accreditation body;
(g) it shall treat the test report with strict confidentiality and no information regarding the sample or its results shall be divulged to any person including the food business operator who may deliver the sample for testing on behalf of Food Authority:
Provided that in case sample is submitted by the food business operator or consumer for testing within the scope of recognition for the purpose of self monitoring or for monitoring or certification by Food Authority, the details of testing shall be made available to Food Authority through its online platform;
(h) it shall share the record of observations and upload the test report on the online platform of the Food Authority and maintain a copy for a minimum period of three years;
(i) it shall participate in Proficiency Testing or Inter-Laboratory Test Comparison programmes organized by any national or international laboratories for demonstrating technical competence of the personnel of such laboratory, as laid down by the accreditation body;
(j) it shall permit access to the Food Authority or any of its officials deputed for the purposes of audit, surveillance or investigation and give access to all relevant records, documents and equipments for the purposes of verifying details;
(k) it shall share all analytical data on the online Laboratory Information Management System with the Food Authority;
(l) it shall , as and when required by the Food Authority, submit monthly or quarterly or annual statement pertaining to-
(i) number of sample received for testing and number of samples tested;
(ii) number of samples failed, specifying the parameter or test and other details;
(m) it shall not make any misrepresentation or carryout any activity which may bring disrepute to the Food Authority; and
(n) it shall adhere to the testing charges as fixed by the Food Authority.