Testing laboratories offer services which influence local commerce and international trade, as objective evidence must be provided that commodities, infrastructure and materials – whether at ports of entry or in the local market – meet relevant standards and are safe for use. These include a wide range of products such as food, water, pharmaceuticals, construction material and electronics. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard is vital in the accreditation exercise as it speaks to the competence of the laboratories in providing testing services and the reliability of the results. Test results from accredited laboratories are more readily accepted worldwide and will mitigate the need for re-testing leading to improved health and safety and also the facilitation of international trade.