The importance of laboratories in sustainability certifications

The importance of laboratories in sustainability certifications

Ceimic Services, Environmental

The Importance of Laboratories in Sustainability Certifications

Understand how analytical laboratories help companies achieve sustainability certifications by ensuring compliance and promoting responsible practices.

In recent years, the demand for more sustainable business practices has grown exponentially. Certifications such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), B Corp Certificate, and ISO 14001 have become essential for companies looking to meet customer expectations while minimizing environmental impacts.

In this scenario, specialized laboratories play a key role by providing the necessary analysis for companies to achieve and maintain these certifications. In today’s article, we will discuss each of them and how CEIMIC can help your company with these certifications.

Why are sustainability certifications important?

Sustainability certifications are not just a seal of approval; they represent a company’s commitment to responsible and ethical practices:

  • ESG: this certification evaluates environmental, social, and governance performance. It is essential for investors looking for businesses committed to sustainability.
  • B Corp Certificate: companies holding this certificate demonstrate rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability.
  • ISO 14001: this international certification sets criteria for an effective environmental management system, helping companies improve their environmental performance.

The Essential Role of Analytical Laboratories

Specialized laboratories like CEIMIC play a vital role in the certification process. They perform a variety of analyses and tests that ensure companies meet the standards required by these certifications.

1. Environmental Analysis for ISO 14001

For ISO 14001 certification, companies must demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental management, involving regular analysis of air, water, and soil quality. Environmental analysis laboratories conduct tests on pollutant emissions, industrial waste monitoring, and environmental impact assessments.

2. Assessments for ESG Certification

The ESG certification process requires companies to be transparent and accountable in their environmental and social practices. Competent laboratories can perform environmental analysis, compliance testing, and technical evaluations that help organizations identify areas for improvement.

3. B Corp Certificate Compliance

Companies seeking the B Corp Certificate must demonstrate a strong commitment to positive impact. Laboratories provide accurate data for environmental performance assessment, including product life cycle analysis and carbon footprinting.

Benefits of working with Certified Laboratories:

Partnering with laboratories that hold recognized accreditations, such as ISO 17025, ensures that analyses are accurate and reliable:

  • Reliable results: testing that follows rigorous and globally accepted standards.
  • Continuous improvement: identifying areas to optimize operations.
  • Risk reduction: regulatory compliance to avoid fines and reputational damage.

The journey toward sustainability begins now with CEIMIC

CEIMIC can be your company’s strategic partner in this process, providing reliable data for decision-making needed to achieve and maintain these important quality seals.

For technical support, contact us at: info@ceimic.com

CEIMIC. Life Sciences Testing Group. It’s about life.

New requirement for laboratories: accreditation for water quality testing

New requirement for laboratories: accreditation for water quality testing

Ceimic Services, Environmental

Impact of Resolution SS No. 195/2024 on Water Quality Control

The São Paulo State Health Department has established new rules for monitoring water for human consumption. With mandatory ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, analytical safety standards are rising.

About Resolution SS No. 195

Published in August 2024, Resolution SS No. 195 updates the procedures for the control and surveillance of water quality intended for human consumption. The regulations state that all laboratories responsible for testing and sampling must be formally accredited under the ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The main goal is to ensure highly reliable results to protect public health.

Why is this accreditation critical?

Accreditation is not just an administrative procedure; it is an international demonstration of technical competence. Failures in testing can pose serious health risks. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard regulates everything from sampling to final analysis, ensuring that critical parameters such as turbidity and chlorine are evaluated with validated methodologies.

Essential Parameters for Accreditation

  • Turbidity and Apparent Color.
  • Fluoride and Free Residual Chlorine.
  • Total Coliforms and Escherichia coli.
  • Presence of Cryptosporidium sp. and Giardia sp.
  • Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxins, and Chlorophyll-a.

Impact on the Laboratory Sector

This requirement drives operational modernization. Laboratories that are not yet accredited will need to invest in technology and quality management systems. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes responsibility in outsourcing: analytical partners must also possess proper accreditation, reinforcing transparency throughout the supply chain.

Adaptation Period:

The resolution grants a 24-month period starting from August 2024 to:

  • Implement changes in quality management systems.
  • Invest in high-precision analytical technology.
  • Pass accreditation audits before competent bodies such as INMETRO.

How CEIMIC Can Help

At CEIMIC, we already operate under the strict requirements of Resolution SS No. 195. We have consolidated accreditations and a qualified technical team to provide analytical solutions that meet São Paulo’s highest regulatory standards. We support collaborating laboratories and clients on their path to regulatory compliance.

For technical inquiries or analysis services, contact us at: info@ceimic.com

CEIMIC. Life Sciences Testing Group. It’s about life.

New standard for managing contaminated areas: what changes and how does it impact the sector?

New standard for managing contaminated areas: what changes and how does it impact the sector?

Environmental

Contaminated Site Management: Keys to the Normative Update

Identification and recovery of contaminated areas requires absolute technical rigor. With recent updates from bodies such as CETESB, companies must adopt more precise protocols.

About Contaminated Site Management

Contaminated Site Management (CSM) is a dynamic process aimed at minimizing chemical risks. In the state of São Paulo, this process is governed by State Decree No. 59.263/13 and Decree No. 62.973/17, which regulate soil quality protection and contaminated area management.

Management Process Stages:

  1. Preliminary Assessment: Collection of history and evidence of contamination.
  2. Confirmatory Investigation: Laboratory analysis to confirm substance presence.
  3. Detailed Investigation: 3D delimitation of the contamination plume.
  4. Risk Assessment: Scientific determination of intervention needs.
  5. Intervention and Remediation Plan: Execution of measures for area recovery.

CEIMIC’s Precision

At CEIMIC, we have cutting-edge technology and accreditations to support each stage. The validity of an environmental study depends directly on the quality of the original analytical data, ensuring strict compliance with current regulations.

For technical support, contact us at: info@ceimic.com

CEIMIC. Life Sciences Testing Group. It’s about life.

Prepare your company for the NBR 10004 update

Prepare your company for the NBR 10004 update

Environmental

Prepare your company for the ABNT NBR 10004 update

Waste classification regulations in Brazil are undergoing a historic transformation. With the revision of NBR 10004, companies must adopt new technical criteria and legal responsibilities.

About NBR 10004 and its update process

The Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT) has launched the revision of the ABNT NBR 10004 standard, a pillar originally established in 2004 that defines the criteria for the identification and categorization of solid waste. This update aims to modernize waste management in Brazil by incorporating technological advances and aligning national parameters with international best practices.

 

What to expect from the new 2024 version?

The revision proposes a structural change in the classification process, which will now consist of 4 critical steps:

  • Listing Classification: Evaluation according to the new General Waste List (LGR).
  • Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Evaluation of substances such as Dioxins and Furans, based on international harmonized lists.
  • Physico-Chemical Properties: Analysis of hazard characteristics (flammability, corrosivity, reactivity).
  • Toxicity Evaluation: One of the most complex changes, requiring deeper analysis to determine harmful potential.

Changes in Nomenclature and Technical Responsibility

The new standard simplifies the nomenclature to Class 1 (Hazardous) and Class 2 (Non-Hazardous). A fundamental change is the elimination of the solubilization test and the adaptation of leaching protocols. Additionally, the responsibility for issuing the Waste Classification Report will fall to a qualified technical manager.

CEIMIC’s Role in the Normative Transition

At CEIMIC, we have the analytical infrastructure and the expert team needed to guide your company in this new scenario. We perform the 4 required classification steps and provide technical support to interpret the new maximum allowable values.

For inquiries regarding waste analysis or advice on the new NBR 10004, contact us at: info@ceimic.com

CEIMIC. Life Sciences Testing Group. It’s about life.

Certifications and Audits: Are They Necessary to Export?

Certifications and Audits: Are They Necessary to Export?

Ceimic Services, Food

Certifications and Audits: Are they really necessary for Exporting?

In a globalized and highly regulated market, exporting agricultural and food products faces constant technical challenges. Discover why certifications and audits are the indispensable passport to guarantee food safety.

The Importance of International Standards

In an increasingly interconnected world, exporting agricultural and food products faces complex challenges that go beyond logistics. Certifications and audits have become strategic and indispensable tools to ensure that products meet the rigorous quality and safety standards required by target markets. To the question of whether they are really necessary for exporting, the answer is a resounding yes: they are the pillar that supports trust between producers, regulators, and end consumers.

 

Pillars of International Verification

  • Certifications – The Passport for Trade: Globally recognized programs, such as GLOBALG.A.P., are essential for products to be accepted in high-demand markets like the European Union or the United States.
  • Audits – Verification and Trust: Detailed inspections carried out by accredited bodies that verify production, handling, and hygiene processes, minimizing the risks of rejection at the border.
  • Inspections at Origin: Many importing countries require in-situ verifications to validate that cultivation practices meet the required standards before shipping.

CEIMIC’s Role in the Export Process:

We understand that maintaining these certifications requires excellent analytical support. Therefore, we offer:

  • ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Analysis: Results with international validity to support your audit processes.
  • Contaminant Monitoring: Detection of pesticide residues and heavy metals according to global legal limits.
  • Specialized Technical Advisory: Expert support in interpreting the analytical requirements for each certification.

Ensure the success of your exports by complying with the highest international standards. For technical inquiries or analysis services, contact us at: info@ceimic.com

 

CEIMIC. Life Sciences Testing Group. It’s about life.