IKM is a professional body which regulates the Chemists Act. It has a paramount duty to serve the public interest. The Institute is responsible for certifying the competence and maintaining the integrity of its members, in particular those performing laboratory analysis pertaining to local legislation especially in the fields of health, safety and the environment.

The Institute in 1986 introduced the IKM Quality Award for laboratories and later in the early 90’s changed this to IKM GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) Award to accord recognition to laboratories that have achieved competency in the practice of analytical work. This award was designed to ensure the laboratory’s commitment to achieve quality goals as stipulated in the then SAMM ISO G25 which has since migrated to the new standards, ISO 17025, in 1999. In addition to the needs of analytical laboratories to operate a quality system, be technically competent and generate accurate results, the award also requires laboratories to operate with safety and health features in the workplace.

IKM LABORATORY EXCELLENCE AWARD
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) which was implemented in 1994 is a genuine attempt to redress the risk/benefit balance in favor of the employee. This act is enforced by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), although many of the duties are qualified by the phrase “so far as is reasonably practicable”.

With effect from January 2001, DOSH implemented the Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemical Hazards to Health Regulations 2000 (USECHH 2000 Regulations) which emphasizes the requirements of CHRA (Chemical Health Risk Assessment).

To address the requirements of OSHA 1994 and USECHH 2000, the IKM Laboratory Excellence Award has included good occupational and higher safety standards as one of our key elements in the award.

General Guidelines on safety requirements for the IKM Laboratory Excellence Award are shown in Appendix 1. Participating laboratories are expected in the coming assessment to implement those listed mandatory requirements in the last paragraph of the general guidelines and carry out other duties “so far as is reasonably practicable” in their workplaces.

GENERAL GUIDELINES ON SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR IKM LABORATORY EXCELLENCE AWARD (BY LIM AH SEE)

REVIEW OF THE MECHANISM AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IKM LABORATORY EXCELLENCE AWARD
The Laboratory Excellence Award Committee had met and recommended changes to further improve the procedure for assessment of the award scheme. 

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMITTEE OF IKM LABORATORY EXCELLENCE AWARD
We encourage laboratory operators to take part in the IKM Laboratory Excellence Award 2006 in the commitment towards maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and establishing safety as a solid value in laboratory culture.

SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION
This will be as follows:-

• Mid- May 2008 - To send circular inviting applications for the award.
• 31 July 2008 - Closing date for application.
• Early August  2008 - Appointment of assessors.
• 30 September 2008 - Complete assessments of laboratories.

27 laboratories were awarded for the 2006 IKM Laboratory Excellence Award.
Application are now invited from chemical laboratories which have registered chemists to apply for the 2006 IKM Laboratory Excellence Award.

This Award was designed to ensure the laboratory's commitment to achieve quality goals as stipulated in the then SAMM ISO G25 which has since migrated to the new standards, ISO 17025, in 1999.  In addition to the needs of analytical laboratories to operate a quality system, be technically comptent and generate accurate results, the Award also requires laboratories to operate with safety and health features in the workplace.

A plaque will be awarded to laboratories which have in the past been continuously awarded the IKM Quality Award for Chemical Laboratories or IKM Accreditation Award for a certain number of years.

The plaque will be awarded for the following 3 categories:

• IKM Laboratory Excellence Silver Award  - 10 years
• IKM Laboratory Excellence Gold Award - 15 years
• IKM Laboratory Excellence Platinum Award - 20 years

Other features of the Award are as follows :-

1. Applications for the Award will be on a voluntary basis.

2. The application fee for the IKM Laboratory Excellence Award shall be RM750 which is not refundable. The laboratory must participate in at least one existing proficiency testing.

3. The Award exercise shall be carried out annually.

4. The Award shall be on a calendar year basis.

5. The following information shall be provided in the applications

1. Qualifications of Chemist(s).
2. Areas of Testing for which assessment for Quality Award is sought.
3. Testing facilities including age of instruments, etc.
4. Quality Assurance procedures being carried out.
5. Qualifications of supporting staff.
6. Documented text procedure and validation of tests carried out.
7. Handling of samples, test data and reports.
8. Participation in proficiency testings