Laboratory Certification
ICA Bremen offers laboratory certification. This is an internationally recognised kitemark of quality demonstrating that all certified laboratories have met stringent international standards.
All certified laboratories have been independently assessed to meet a specific standard of quality assurance and testing operations. They may resolve quality disputes in line with the ICA Bylaws & Rules and are authorised to provide an assessment service to the cotton industry.
The scheme is available to any laboratory which meets the certification criteria. Candidate laboratories may not be linked to firms that are on, or related to a firm which is on, the CICCA List of Unfulfilled Awards.
- Worldwide recognition of credibility and competence
- Advice and information from experts in the industry
- Set a high standard for your laboratory to achieve and maintain
- Promotion of your laboratory on our website and full use of the ‘ICA Bremen Certified Laboratory’ logo
The scheme is based on American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM International) and Commercial Standardization of Instrument Testing of Cotton (CSITC), as well as building on the good practices of USDA and our own laboratory experience. This certification process is now widely accepted and recognised as the international industry standard for cotton testing.
Download our certification process flow chart.
Laboratory Specification / Conditioning
Instrument and Maintenance
Calibration and Internal Verification
Testing Procedures and Samples
External Verification
Quality Management
CSITC Round Trials
The annual certification fee is EURO €2,500 (+VAT where applicable). The cost of travel and accommodation for on-site inspections every three years must be covered in addition to this fee.
Which laboratories are certified?
The following laboratories are currently certified and can be classed as a ‘laboratory of choice’ to resolve quality disputes in line with the ICA Bylaws & Rules, as well as providing a service to the cotton industry.
| ICA Bremen | Certified since 2016 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton South Africa | Certified since 2013 | |
| Auscott Limited | Certified since 2016 | |
| ProClass Pty Ltd – Goondiwindi | Certified since 2016 | |
| Quality Assurance Laboratory USDA Memphis | Certified since 2017 | |
| CBRA Laboratory of ABRAPA | Certified since 2018 | |
| Shanghai Institute of Quality Inspection and Technical Research Institute | Certified since 2019 | |
| ASOCIACION PARA LA PROMOCION DE LA PRODUCCION (A.P.P.A) | Certified since 2022 | |
| Thrakika Ekkokistiria SA | Certified since 2023 | |
| Wakefield Inspection Services (India) Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai | Certified since 2023 | |
| Wakefield Inspection Services (Vietnam) Co. Ltd | Certified since 2024 |
Sixteen other laboratories are currently in the process of assessment.
Watch this space for our next announcement…