Top: Mr. Marlon A. Macadamia receives a certificate of appreciation following his presentation. Bottom: DOST-FNRI, the training host, joins participants for a photo opportunity during the two-day workshop.

The Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) took part in a two-day training workshop organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) on April 29-30, 2025. The event, titled “Understanding the Requirements and Concepts of ISO/IEC 17043:2023 and Application of ISO 13528:2022 Guidance on Statistical Methods on PT Schemes,” was held at the Acacia Hotel Manila, Muntinlupa City.

The training was designed to strengthen the capacity of technical professionals and stakeholders involved in proficiency testing (PT) by providing both theoretical foundations and practical applications of the updated standards. It also aimed to support the development of qualified assessors who may eventually take part in accrediting Proficiency Testing Providers (PTPs) under ISO/IEC 17043.

Representing the DTI-PAB’s Laboratory Accreditation Division (PAB-LAD) were Mr. Marlon Macadamia, Supervising Trade-Industry Development Specialist, and Ms. Samantha Alonzo, Trade-Industry Development Specialist. The workshop gave them an in-depth understanding of ISO/IEC 17043:2023—one of PAB-LAD’s core accreditation schemes—along with ISO 13528:2022, the standard for statistical methods in proficiency testing programs, which is especially relevant to ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.

In photo: Mr. Marlon A. Macadamia (center, left photo) receives his certificate of participation. Also, in the photo (right): Assoc. Prof. Kunchit Judprasong, Ph.D. (2nd from right), a distinguished lecturer on the said standards and an active assessor for both ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17043 under Thailand’s Bureau of Laboratory Accreditation; Atty. Lucieden G. Raz, DOST-FNRI Deputy Director and OIC (far right); and Ms. Leah C. Dajay, Supervising Science Research Specialist, DOST-FNRI (far left).

In her opening remarks, Ms. Leah C. Dajay, Supervising Science Research Specialist of FNRI’s Service Laboratory Group, highlighted the importance of building a pool of local experts and assessors who can contribute to the accreditation of future PTPs, in support of the country’s growing quality infrastructure.

During the session, Mr. Macadamia also presented the mandate, services of PAB, elaborating on the accreditation process for ISO/IEC 17043 and highlighting the need to expand local PT provider capacity. At present, many laboratories rely on international PT schemes, which are often costly. Encouraging local providers will reduce expenses, increase accessibility, and promote the sustainability of laboratory quality systems in the Philippines.

Currently, there are two PAB-accredited proficiency testing providers in the country: the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-PTP) and the Southern Metrology and Calibration Services, Inc.

PAB remains committed to fostering partnerships and advancing technical capabilities to encourage more organizations to pursue accreditation, ensuring that Philippine industries are supported by competent and cost-effective PT services.

For more information on accreditation services:
Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB)
Email: pab@dti.gov.ph
Phone: (02) 7791-3284
Website: www.dti.gov.ph/pab

Release Date: 09 May 2025.

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