Analytical Services
IGS offers a range of high-quality analytical services and cost-effective access to the latest in analysis technology and techniques. The IGS’S analytical lab is gaining reputation for high-quality analytics and client consultation with evolving extension of its scope. Click here for more details.
ICP-AES Testing
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is a technique that detects the atomic emissions produced as light to determine concentrations of trace to major elements and can detect most elements in the periodic table. Reliable results can be obtained for about 70 elements with detection limits in the parts per billion range.
ICP Analysis is performed to identify and measure a range of chemical elements necessary for the analysis of mineral and metal samples. This ICP test methods can be performed on solid or liquid samples, offering quantitative and qualitative data that can be included in an ICP test report.
IGS is equipped with the lates trend of ICP-AES (Avio 500), the latest technology for major, minor and trace element analysis.
IGS offers ICP analysis services and can determine up to 70 elements using the latest technology in spectrometers. Trace unknowns can be detected and identified. In addition, ICP analysis can reveal several non-metals.
The only elements which cannot be measured by ICP methods are C, H, O, N and the halogens. The following elements are analysed during an ICP test scan:
When we are asked to analyze target elements of a sample matrix, other elements in the sample may interfere. IGS team has developed significant expertise in the matter and can take precautions to prevent and correct interferences when they know the approximate composition in advance.
ICP metal analysis can be performed on solid and liquid samples, but a solid sample must be converted to liquid form before testing by directly (or after specific fusion) dissolving the sample in a solvent (typically acid) to produce a solution. The sample solution is introduced into the ICP as a fine aerosol of droplets. The aerosol is produced by a nebulizer which aspirates the sample with high velocity argon to form a fine mist.
The aerosol then passes into a spray chamber where larger droplets are removed. Droplets small enough to be vaporized in the plasma torch pass into the torch body, where the aerosol is mixed with more argon gas. ICP stands for Inductively Coupled Plasma, which is an excitation source generated by directing the energy of a radio frequency generator into a suitable gas. A coupling coil is used to transmit radio frequency to the heated argon gas, producing an argon plasma located in the torch. The hot plasma dries any remaining solvent and causes sample atomization.
Contact our team to discuss your sample and assaying requirements.
Lab Auditing
IGS also provides ISO-17025 Implementation, QA/QC Implementation, Laboratory Best Practice Guidance and Laboratory Auditing Services.
ISO 17025 is a regulatory requirement and a customer pressure, being essential for business and without it the organization’s whole business may be at risk. As your organizations cannot risk jeopardizing this with an ineffective management system, internal auditing is the gatekeeper to ensure your ongoing success.
ISO 17025 is an accreditation standard designed to give total confidence in the organization’s system. It is different from certification standard such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001 where a certified system it might be acceptable to have systems that may lead to some errors.
In an accreditation system, errors are simply not acceptable, and the ISO 17025 management system must be infallibly designed and implemented to survive to the tough accreditation auditing process.
Internal auditing should provide a similarly thorough approach. While it does need to bring added value to the organization, the first objective is to ensure that the requirements of the standard are met unquestionably. Even with an established and accredited management system, the internal audit process is an essential tool to thoroughly investigate every requirement, uncover alternative interpretations that an external auditor might stumble upon and assure the solidarity of the processes involved.
Auditors must still look for improvement opportunities such as streamlining processes and reducing unnecessary bureaucracies (note that some duplication and bureaucracy is often deliberate to assure the success of the processes). The continual improvement of the management system is an essential and important goal of the internal audit process.
Given the importance of the internal audit activity, it is essential that auditors are experienced and skilled. Yes, technically a “once-a-year” auditor theoretically qualifies for this role, but they are less likely to achieve either of the objectives just discussed.
IGS is counting a team of 5 qualified auditors fully covering the overall ISO 17025 management system component. We design and implement ISO 17025 management systems that address the organization’s business goal and yet assure effective processes. Our experienced and up-to-date auditors ensure we are best suited to conduct internal audits that :
- Give management confidence that the processes they have are effective and that they will maintain their ISO 17025 accreditation.
- Easily convince accreditation auditors that the system is audited thoroughly and professionally.
- Provide thorough auditing that identifies any question before an accreditation auditor might identify it.
- Provide the skills, expertise and resources that are not easily available internally.
- Offer experience to identify appropriate necessary controls versus opportunities for improvement.
By engaging IGS auditor(s) to conduct your internal audits you will assure the effectiveness of your management system and protect ISO accreditation status from the uncertainty of the external auditing.
Need ISO 17025 auditing?
IGS Auditor(s) offers a suited package of full-service ISO 17025 management system consulting, implementation, auditing, coaching and training.