Staffordshire Scientific Services
Staffordshire Scientific Services has built up nearly 80 years of expertise (since 1929) in carrying out scientific analysis to protect the public and has more than 20 highly qualified and trained staff.
Testing is carried out for the Trading Standards Department of the County Council, directed by our Public Analyst Dr Frank Hollywood, to ensure the Food Safety Act 1980 and the Agricultural Act 1970 are complied with. We are an Official Food Enforcement Laboratory accredited to the UKAS Quality Standard ISO/IEC19025. Our customers include many other local authorities, private businesses, the emergency services and members of the public.
Our extensive range of testing includes:
- Air and water pollution analysis - for example legionella and e-coli in water and NOX and SOX in air.
- Food and drink analysis - for example full nutritional analysis for fat, salt, sugars; water content; mould; contaminant and allergen detection; the presence of genetically modified material; pesticide residues; DNA tests to identify meat species.
- Consumer product testing - including safety testing of toys.
- Blood-alcohol testing - for workplaces or for members of the public charged under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Other services are available through our partnership with Leicestershire Scientific Services or by referral to other laboratories if necessary.
More details can be found in the appropriate section of this website and in the directory of tests. We are part of Health and Consumer Services, in the Social Care and Health Directorate.
'The Science of Consumer Confidence'
Staffordshire County Council's Scientific Services committed to:
- Protecting consumers and contributing to the effective enforcement of a range of 'consumer' legislation.
- Providing scientific service excellence that's accurate and unbiased.
- Providing scientific data to support health improvement developments
- Supporting businesses in meeting their environmental and legal obligations.
- Building consumer confidence by working in partnership with local communities.
- Continuously improving our services and investing in our people.
We have a high level of customer loyalty demonstrated by the high percentage of clients returning each year.
Laboratory Accreditation
The laboratory is accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Services) for food and water analysis and takes part in more than 40 rounds of FAPAS (Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme).
We can analyse for thousands of different chemicals and aim to increase the number of accredited methods each year.
Scope
In compliance with his statutory duties as Public Analyst and Agricultural Analyst, Dr Hollywood reports his findings and opinions to the enforcement authorities. Certificates issued are legal documents which can be produced in a court of law. Sometimes the Public Analyst and his staff are required to appear in court as expert witnesses.
The scientists' activities are not restricted to analytical work in the laboratory and can provide a complete problem solving service for the client. For example, an investigation involving a contaminated land investigation, would entail:
- Initial appraisal of the problem
- Sampling strategy
- Analysis at the laboratory
- Interpretation of laboratory work and hazard assessment
- Recommendations of remedial measures or other courses of action
Similar pieces of work are conducted in food, waste disposal, water pollution and planning.
Service Packages
We offer a wide range of contracts and services for analysis on samples, just contact us and we can advise on the package best for you. We also can help you design a project, within your budget, to support your local policy developments.
To Contact Us
If you would like to know more about our services and find out details about our rates call:
Dr Frank Hollywood
Public Analyst
Tel: 01785 277825
Where to find us
Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street, Stafford ST16 2LG
Telephone: 01785 277825
Faxcimile: 01785 277812
E-mail: county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Last Modified:
02/01/2008 14:24:15
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