The history of the laboratory
The first veterinary laboratory in Georgia was established in 1907 and has been operating continuously since then. By the 1980s, there was already a strong diagnostic laboratory network (1 Republican, 1 Autonomous Republic, 19 Regional, and 18 District Laboratories). In 2006, by Decree # 307 of the President of Georgia, „ LEPL Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture" was established. The functions of the laboratory became not only animal disease diagnostics but also, plant pest diagnostics and food research. Currently, the studies are being conducted through modern methods and equipment, in all three directions. In 2020, the laboratory was established under the name of "LEPL State Laboratory of Agriculture".
Based on the agreement between the governments of Georgia and the United States of America, the laboratory buildings were overhauled (in Tbilisi and the regions). The laboratories were equipped with a modern material and technical base. As a result, we have second-level biosafety laboratories (BSL2) equipped under international standards. The staff members are qualified and trained in leading reference laboratories in the US and Europe.
The signing of the Association Agreement with the EU has created new requirements. This means that not only internationally but also across the country, food safety will be mandatory. In accordance with Georgia's obligations under “the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement”, it became necessary to have an international-level laboratory.
In March 2014, the State Laboratory of Agriculture was internationally accredited according to ISO 17 025, which makes all tests conducted by the laboratory, internationally recognized. The laboratory also has an ISO 17025:2017/2018 quality management system.
Diagnosis and testing are performed according to international standards, which means that the analysis obtained here is reliable and is the same as in any laboratory accredited to the same standard in any country.
Currently, a laboratory network is maintained and operates, which includes 3 zonal diagnostic laboratories (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Akhaltsikhe) and 8 regional laboratories (Gori, Marneuli, Dusheti, Gurjaani, Ambrolauri, Ozurgeti, Zugdidi, Batumi, Sachkhere, Mestia). The state control of the laboratory is carried out by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
