Building the Standards of Excellence -

Building the Standards of Excellence -

Testing, Inspection & Certification Facility Design & Construction

Testing, Inspection & Certification Facility Design & Construction

Where precision, compliance, and innovation converge

At Connected, we create specialized environments where quality assurance and regulatory compliance come to life. By employing our Lean Early Contractor Involvement (LECI) model, we streamline workflows, support ISO/IEC 17025 and NATA requirements, and deliver labs designed for accuracy and efficiency.

Our Specialized Expertise

  • Materials Testing Laboratories – Mechanical, chemical, and environmental analysis

  • Food & Beverage Testing Facilities – Ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance

  • Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Testing – GMP and ISO-aligned quality control spaces

  • Environmental & Water Testing – Facilities focused on contamination analysis and public safety

  • Product Certification & QA Centers – Purpose-built for comprehensive consumer goods testing

Why Partners Choose Connected

  • End-to-End LECI Approach – From feasibility through accreditation

  • Compliance Excellence – Tailored to ISO/IEC 17025, NATA, and other global standards

  • Complexity Simplified – Nimble teams and robust processes reduce risks and costs

  • Ingenuity & Unity – Collaboration that drives innovative, customized solutions

Representative Projects

  • Symbio Laboratories (Melbourne) – High-throughput testing lab for food and environmental quality

  • BVAQ (Melbourne) – One of Australia’s largest TIC facilities

  • Eurofins Sydney Campus (Sydney) – Advanced testing and inspection facility spanning multiple labs

  • Intertek (Perth) – Specialized lab solutions for diverse industry testing

Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC) Facility Design and Construction FAQs

  • In Australia, NATA accreditation is the benchmark for TIC labs, ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 for testing and calibration facilities. The National Measurement Institute (NMI) mandates that all laboratory measurements are traceable to national standards. Australian TIC labs must also follow:

    • AS/NZS 2982 – Laboratory Design and Construction

    • AS/NZS 2243 – Safety in Laboratories (covering biosafety, ventilation, and fume cupboards)

    • ISO/IEC 17020 – For inspection bodies
      By adhering to these, TIC facilities meet technical, safety, and quality control requirements.

  • TIC facilities must comply with ISO/IEC 17025, which sets global standards for lab competence and quality management. Additional relevant international standards include:

    • ISO/IEC 17020 – Accreditation for inspection bodies

    • ISO/IEC 17065 – Certification of products and systems

    • OECD GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) – Standards for pharmaceuticals and chemicals testing

    • WHO Guidelines – Best practices for pharmaceutical QC labs

    • ASTM Standards – Technical guidelines for materials and product testing
      These ensure TIC facilities maintain consistency, accuracy, and regulatory approval worldwide.

  • An optimal TIC lab layout follows a logical workflow from sample reception to testing and storage. Best practices include:

    • Segregation of activities – Prevent cross-contamination by physically separating sample handling, testing, and waste disposal areas.

    • Unidirectional flow – Ensure a structured process for samples from arrival to final analysis.

    • Dedicated zones – Specialized areas for chemical storage, fume hoods, and biosafety cabinets.

    • Ergonomic design – Adjustable workstations and accessibility to critical equipment.

    • Regulatory compliance – Align with ISO 17025, AS/NZS 2982, and AS/NZS 2243 for laboratory safety.

  • Contamination control in TIC labs relies on proper airflow, separation of activities, and strict access control. Key strategies include:

    • HVAC systems with HEPA filtration – Ensures air purity and maintains pressure differentials in sensitive areas.

    • Biosafety cabinets & fume hoods – Protect workers and samples from airborne contaminants.

    • Cleanroom protocols (ISO 14644) – Required for high-precision and pharmaceutical testing labs.

    • Automated sample handling – Minimizes human contact and reduces risk of contamination.

    • Regular audits & quality checks – Ensures compliance with ISO 17025 and NATA accreditation standards.

  • To maintain compliance, TIC labs must implement:

    • Fume cupboards – Required by AS/NZS 2243.8 for handling hazardous chemicals.

    • Biological safety cabinets – Mandatory for microbiology and pharmaceutical testing labs.

    • Emergency wash stations – Eyewash stations and safety showers per OHS regulations.

    • Fire suppression systems – Sprinklers, fire extinguishers, and vented chemical storage cabinets.

    • Climate-controlled HVAC – Precision environmental controls for metrology and calibration labs.

  • TIC laboratory fit-outs should include:

    • Durable, chemical-resistant benchtops – Ensures longevity and easy cleaning.

    • Fume hoods & biosafety cabinets – Protect users and prevent cross-contamination.

    • LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) – Digital sample tracking and workflow automation.

    • Automated sample preparation tools – Reduces human error and speeds up processing.

    • Secure storage solutions – Lockable, ventilated cabinets for hazardous and high-value materials.

  • Accreditation involves a multi-step process:

    1. Gap analysis – Assess lab processes against ISO 17025 requirements.

    2. Documentation & SOPs – Develop quality manuals, calibration records, and safety procedures.

    3. Internal audits – Ensure compliance before official assessment.

    4. Formal NATA application – Submit for evaluation.

    5. On-site assessment – NATA auditors review lab operations, staff competence, and infrastructure.

    6. Resolution of non-conformances – Address any deficiencies.

    7. Ongoing maintenance – Regular audits, staff training, and proficiency testing to retain accreditation.

  • TIC laboratories comply with ISO 17025 and National Measurement Institute (NMI) regulations by:

    • Using traceable reference standards – Ensuring all measurements link to SI units.

    • Routine calibration – Conducted at prescribed intervals with certified calibration providers.

    • Uncertainty analysis – Evaluating test variability to improve accuracy.

    • Regular proficiency testing – Verifies lab performance against international benchmarks.

  • The adoption of AI, automation, and cloud-based data management is revolutionizing TIC labs:

    • AI-driven data analysis – Accelerates testing and improves accuracy.

    • Automated sample tracking – Uses LIMS for real-time monitoring.

    • IoT sensors – Continuous environmental monitoring (temperature, pressure, contamination levels).

    • Blockchain for certification – Enhances transparency and traceability of testing results.

  • The future of TIC facility design focuses on:

    • Modular laboratory construction – Pre-fabricated lab spaces allow for rapid deployment.

    • Sustainability initiatives – Energy-efficient HVAC, solar-powered labs, and waste minimization strategies.

    • Flexible lab layouts – Adaptable workspaces to accommodate evolving testing needs.

    • Remote testing & cloud-based analytics – Allows for real-time monitoring and global collaboration.

Begin Your Project

Quality assurance starts with the right environment.
Contact us to see how Connected can elevate your testing and inspection capabilities—building a better way forward.