Laboratory Activities

1. Introduction

For the purposes of the contract, the following definitions apply:

Protezione Ambientale or Laboratory: The company Protezione Ambientale S.r.l., with registered office in Alessandria, via dell’Automobile 6/8 Industrial Zone D3, tax code and VAT number no. 01717300063.

The Laboratory is accredited with the number 0381 in compliance with the UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard. The Accreditation scheme was developed by the European Union in order to allow the free circulation of goods and products on the EU territory, without need for repetitive checks by the authorities of the various countries. An important element of this approach is the Accreditation Body which, being independent and representative of all interested parties, guarantees users, through periodic technical checks, on the competence and impartiality of the Laboratories in carrying out Accredited tests. In Italy this function is performed by ACCREDIA which, operating according to the ISO / IEC 17011 standard, verifies and monitors the compliance of Laboratories with respect to the UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17025 standard and to the ACCREDIA requirements. ACCREDIA assumes no responsibility for the results of the tests. (link research laboratory 0381 on ACCREDIA website)

The Laboratory is in possession of the company Quality System certification in compliance with UNI EN ISO 9001 (certificate n.2359) and OHSAS 18001 (certificate n.19738) and at Certiquality.

The Laboratory is in possession of further “Acknowledgments and Authorizations” which are better reported on the page: 192.168.0.249/protamb/autorizations-and-recognitions.

Client: the legal entity, public or private, who requests the Laboratory to carry out chemical and / or microbiological analyzes and / or the provision of other services.

Sample: a material to be tested that is not representative of other materials or lots.

Sampling: sampling.

Perishable sample: products that fall into one of the following categories:

• Agricultural, fish, bulk and prepackaged food products, which have an expiration date or TMC of less than 60 days and semi-finished products from the food industry.
• Agricultural products, fish and loose foods including herbs and aromatic plants, even if placed in protective wrapping or refrigerated, not subjected to treatments aimed at prolonging their durability for a period exceeding 60 days.
• All types of milk.
• All types of water.

Counter sample: residual sample from analytical investigations, kept for verification purposes or to settle any disputes.

Service: Object of the contract, intended as the determination of one or more analytical parameters, as the execution of sampling and sampling, as the provision of any consultancy or technical assistance, as the design and provision of training courses or anything else identifiable as an object of a restricted supply for a fee.

Acceptance: Acceptance of the material to be analyzed by the Laboratory.

2. General Conditions

These General Conditions apply to the relationship between the Laboratory and the Customer, without prejudice to any special conditions agreed between the same parties in writing.

Individual contracts can be concluded according to specific written agreements or by accepting offers from the Laboratory.

The signing of the offer and / or the sending of the samples confirms the acknowledgment and acceptance of these general conditions.

With the conclusion of the contract, the general conditions of supply are considered accepted. Any changes to what is indicated in the Laboratory offer are possible, subject to formalization and description of the same.

3. Object of the contract

The relationship between the Laboratory and the Customer is intended as a contract for the provision of services by Protezione Ambientale S.r.l.

In the case of subcontracting, the Laboratory is responsible for the subcontracted work, except in the case that the client or the legislative authority specify which entity should be employed.

4. Performance of the service

The services deriving from the above activity are put in place by the Laboratory.

5. Sampling / delivery / collection of samples

Unless otherwise agreed, the sample to be analyzed can be delivered to the Laboratory by the Customer.

The collection of the sample to be examined at the Customer’s home (or at another place indicated by the same) by the Laboratory staff, or appointed by it, may constitute an ancillary service, subject to a separate charge at the expected price, which is understood to be expressed ex works. Laboratory.

In the case of withdrawal as above, Protezione Ambientale guarantees that the transport to the Laboratory takes place under conditions that ensure the conservation of the chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics that the sample presented at the time of its taking over.

In the case of sampling carried out by laboratory personnel, it is guaranteed that it takes place according to what is indicated by the specific sector regulations where present and / or according to internal operating instructions, such as to ensure the conservation of the chemical, physical and microbiological characteristics of the material. The Customer is obliged to inform the Laboratory:

• On the inherent risks of the sample to be analyzed, identifying the dangers associated with it.
• On the correct way of handling samples.
• On the risks present at its headquarters, with reference to the collection activity, identifying the dangers associated with it.

In case of sampling at the Customer, the following are to be considered excluded and therefore charged to the Customer, if not available:

• Electrical connections.
• Installation of sockets in chimneys and / or ducts.
• Provision and / or preparation with suitable equipment and / or systems to make access to sampling points easy and safe.
• What else our technicians for the execution of withdrawals and / or measures in safety and with technically valid methods.

It should be noted that if the access and parking conditions are not available and in safety, the sampling cannot be performed. Sampling by the Customer is possible for the following cases and in the following ways:

• Drinking water – microbiological analysis: at least 500 ml taken after sterilization of the flame sampling source in a sterile container, to be delivered closed; chemical analysis: at least 2.5 L in a clean glass / plastic bottle, previously poured with sample water, to be filled to the brim and delivered unopened. Transport temperature between +4 and +10 ° C.
• Waste water – microbiological analysis: at least 100 ml in a sterile container, to be delivered closed; chemical analysis: at least 5 L in a clean glass / plastic bottle, to be delivered unopened. Transport temperature between +4 and +10 ° C.
• Waste, sludge, compost: at least 1kg. of sample; Non-degradable food: at least 500g. of sample. The sample must be homogeneous and representative, in a container suitable for the physical state of the sample, to be transported at room temperature and delivered closed and clean on the outside.
• Surface swabs / sponge bag: for swabs it needs sampling of an area of ​​10x10cm; for the sponge bag it needs sampling of an area of ​​10x100cm. The sampled area must in any case be declared at the time of delivery of the samples. Transport temperature between +1 and +8 ° C.
• Materials containing asbestos and / or glass wool: the sample must be placed in an airtight, non-fragile container. Subsequently, in an uncontaminated area, this container must be placed inside a sealed plastic bag. The quantity of sample must be strictly commensurate with the needs of the laboratory, subject to specific agreements. For homogeneous materials it is sufficient to take a representative sample of about 5 cm in extension (or about 100 gr.). For heterogeneous materials it is advisable to take two to three samples every 100 square meters, taking care to also sample where there are changes in color or where repairs have been carried out over time. It is advisable to carry out the repair with suitable sealants of the sampling point and careful cleaning with damp cloths of any underlying residues.

In the case of sampling by the client (for cases where the assessment of the suitability of the sample to be tested is involved), an indication of the sampling date must be provided. The laboratory assumes no responsibility for the results calculated considering the sampling data provided by the client.

Transport to the Laboratory must ensure that suitable conditions are maintained that avoid any chemical / physical modification to the product. Preference must be given to vehicles that guarantee the shortest possible travel time at the best storage conditions.

Sampling needs other than those indicated above will be assessed from time to time by the Laboratory, possibly by preparing specific ad hoc instructions.

The Customer is obliged to inform the Laboratory about the risks inherent in the material to be analyzed by identifying the dangers associated with it. The customer will be liable for all legal purposes for damage to persons or property resulting from the non-fulfillment of the aforementioned information obligations.

6. Analysis start date

Samples received after 12:00 are considered to have been received the next working day unless otherwise agreed in advance with the Customer. Delivery times are shown in the relevant offer and run from the date of arrival of the samples in the laboratory or from the date of receipt of the data necessary to start the commissioned activity. Generally speaking, the analysis start date means the sample opening date.

7. Sample and counter sample storage

From the moment of receipt of the sample to be examined, the Laboratory guarantees its conservation in a manner suitable for guaranteeing the maintenance of its chemical, physical and microbiological conditions. Unless otherwise agreed, the Laboratory acquires ownership of the sample delivered / withdrawn / sampled, up to the eventual return of the same, if agreed between the parties.

The non-perishable counter-sample is kept for 15 days from the date of the test report, according to suitable methods to guarantee the maintenance of the original chemical, physical and microbiological conditions. Once the indicated term has elapsed, the Laboratory will dispose of (or return) the counter-sample.

The laboratory does not keep perishable samples beyond the term of the conclusion of the analysis, unless specifically agreed and / or requested by the Customer

8. Test report

The Laboratory is solely responsible for the analytical results referring to the samples being analyzed. The test report is issued in a single copy, unless requested in writing by the Customer. The test report is issued in accordance with the general rules on accreditation of laboratories. The format of the test report is predefined by the Laboratory. The issue of test reports according to formats corresponding to the Customer’s specifications must be requested in writing; if this customization is permitted by the general rules on accreditation of testing laboratories and is technically possible, it constitutes an ancillary service, the consideration for which will be agreed in advance with the Customer. This service can be subject to a separate charge. Unless otherwise agreed, the test report and / or the technical report is delivered to the Customer in electronic format with digital signature according to the applicable legislation; this document constitutes the original document. At the express request of the Customer, which must be formulated before the acceptance of the sample by the Laboratory, a copy of the test report can be sent by fax, or by ordinary mail; this service, to be considered ancillary, can be subject to a separate charge. Partial duplication of test reports is prohibited without the prior written authorization of the Laboratory. Protezione Ambientale provides for the archiving and storage of test reports for ten years.

The reissue of the test reports when the name / trademark of the sample (including the name of the manufacturer) analyzed changes, is not allowed (ref. link ACCREDIA website, which refers to EA Resolution 2014 (33) 31 relating to the re-issue of the Reports test).

The test reports can be reissued only in the event of error correction and omitted information / data entry but available at the time of the tests (e.g. corrections of errors by the Laboratory in the transcription of the sample description from the customer’s order).

The reissue request must reach the laboratory by email or phone call. The replacement test report contains the reasons for the cancellation and replacement. The laboratory assumes no responsibility for any use by the Customer of the canceled test report.

In the event that the customer requires different Test Reports, with different product names and / or product brands, referring to what the customer declares as the same product, it will be necessary to proceed with further analyzes. The respective analyzes must correspond to each Test Report with a different commercial / trademark description.

In the event of an opinion, the laboratory does not take into account the uncertainty value (where indicated) expressed for each parameter, unless specifically requested by the Customer or specific legislative prescription or the reference standard..

9. Test methods

Specific requests in relation to the test methods must be agreed in writing before accepting the sample.

Samples for which microbiological tests are required must be delivered by Wednesday; otherwise the samplings / withdrawals / deliveries of the samples must be agreed in advance with the laboratory in order to comply with the analysis set-up times envisaged by the test methods.

10. Other benefits

Any other request of the Customer, in any way connected to the issue of the test report (such as, for example: opinions, interpretations, reports, comments, comparisons with legal limits and / or specifications), constitutes a separate service and may form the subject by separate charge. All the information contained in the test report refers exclusively to the material subjected to analysis and to the parameters analyzed, and does not constitute product inspection and / or certification.

11. Accident prevention regulations

Protezione Ambientale in carrying out its business, applies and complies with all the prescriptions and obligations provided for the safety and health of workers at work pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 81/2008 and subsequent amendments and additions also in the event that the worker carries out his activity at external offices, limited to the risks associated with the use of equipment, systems, safety devices and anything else that is legally available for any reason – ownership, loan, lease, etc. – of employees.

The business costs incurred for safety at work (for example in the case of sampling at the customer) are calculated on the basis of the total amount of the service and specifically indicated in the offer. Any discounts are not applied to security costs which therefore remain unchanged.

In the event of interventions at the Customer’s premises, the latter is responsible for providing information material about the risks present in the company and any personal protective equipment. In case of sampling at the Customer, the following are to be considered excluded and therefore charged to the Customer, if not available:

• Electrical connections.
• Installation of sockets in chimneys and / or ducts.
• Provision and / or preparation with suitable equipment and / or systems to make access to sampling points easy and safe.
• Provision of qualified personnel for the use of the equipment (eg operators of aerial platforms enabled according to the procedures provided for by the State-Regions Agreement of 22/02/2012) and / or equipment controlled in accordance with the current sector legislation or according to the manufacturer’s use and maintenance booklet (eg quarterly checks on ropes and chains).
• What else our technicians for the execution of withdrawals and / or measures in safety and with technically valid methods.

It should be noted that if the access and parking conditions are not available and in safety, the sampling cannot be performed.

12. Protection of privacy

The Laboratory collects data concerning the Customer, to be used for the purpose of carrying out the activity inherent to this supply agreement. These data are processed in accordance with the provisions of Reg. (EU) 2016/679.

13. Confidentiality obligation

The Laboratory maintains the obligation not to disclose to third parties the documentation relating to this contract and any other information it becomes aware of on the occasion of the contract itself; this even after its termination for any reason. The parties undertake to maintain the utmost confidentiality and professional secrecy from third parties regarding the corporate organizational structure of the other party. Each party, in particular, will take all necessary precautions in order to safeguard office secrecy and will impose this obligation on its employees and / or collaborators, and third-party companies, prohibiting them from any abusive use of the information received.

14. Complaints

The Laboratory does not accept written complaints after eight days from the date of receipt of the test report.

15. Payment terms

Unless otherwise agreed with a specific separate deed, the laboratory services must be paid within thirty days of receipt of the invoice. In the event that it has been agreed that payment is made by bank receipt, or other means, failure to receive the notice of due date by the Customer does not constitute a justification for non-payment or delayed payment. In case of late payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing, default interest will be charged pursuant to articles 4 and 5 of the Legislative Decree n. 231 of 9 October 2002. Subject to agreement, payment can also be made at the Laboratory headquarters.