Thirty-five professionals from various testing laboratories across Papua New Guinea have been awarded certificates after successfully completing a fourday training on the International Standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration of laboratories.
The training was conducted at the Crown Hotel in Port Moresby from April 28 to May 1st and was facilitated by the PNG Laboratory Accreditation Scheme under the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT).
The course focused on core aspects of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, including internal audit practices, method validation and verification, and the principles of measurement uncertainty.
The objective was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to implement and maintain robust quality management systems that ensure laboratory accuracy, consistency, and impartiality in testing and Accreditation.
The course was facilitated by Mr. Wai Yin Lawrance Wong, an experienced trainer based in Australia. Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Hong Kong. He is the founder of 1A Accreditation and Quality Consultant, established in 2022, and provides consultancy and training services on ISO/IEC 17025 to laboratories worldwide.
Mr. Wong previously worked for the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia, for 17 years as a Senior Accreditation Specialist. He also served as a Technical Assessor for the Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) for over a decade. Before that, he was a laboratory manager overseeing one of Hong Kong’s most advanced environmental testing facilities at the Chemical Waste Treatment Centre.
NISIT’s newly appointed Acting Director, Mr. Joe Panga, congratulated all participants and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen practices within their respective organisations.
“After this training, you can now return to your organizations with greater confidence, enhanced skillsets, and the ability to mentor others—creating a ripple effect of competence and growth across your respective fields,” Mr. Panga said.
“You have now gained a clear understanding of how to properly conduct testing, calibrations, and measurements. You have learned about internationally accepted best practices that can improve your ability to deliver precise and reliable results.
“These days, we’ve lost touch with our cultural values, and that influences how we conduct ourselves at work. We must uphold honesty, respect, and high standards to raise the quality of our work. Challenges are inevitable, but how we address them defines our success. At NISIT, we aim to set a benchmark to become the best standards authority in the Pacific.”
Mr. Panga also commended Mr. Wong, stating, “Through our international affiliations, we’re able to bring in experts like Mr. Wong who possess deep knowledge and experience. Their insights are invaluable to our development.”
Participants in the training came from various organizations, including:
- Coffee Industry Corporation Limited,
- Fresh Produce Development Agency
- World Health Organisation
- Oktedi Mining Limited
- ACEM Geotechnical Engineers
- Department of Works – Mt Hagen
- NATS – National Analytic Testing Service
- OTML – Environment Chemistry Lab
- Morobe Consolidated Goldfields Ltd
- Ramu Nico Management (Mill) Ltd •
- National Department of Health
- SP Brewery (Heineken)
- National Fisheries Authority
- Intertek Commodities
- Water PNG
- National Agriculture Research Institute
- GS Gold Trade & Export Ltd
One participant, Mr. Larson Kitao from the National Fisheries Authority and a member of the Testing Laboratories Accreditation Board (TLBAB), said:
“The training was insightful and essential in aligning our practices with international standards. I commend NISIT for organizing such a well-structured and informative session.”
On a broader scale, the training supports PNGLAS and the country’s goals of:
- Strengthening technical infrastructure
- Promoting trust in national testing systems
- Boosting the country’s scientific and industrial credibility
