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Fapas - Proficiency Testing
Globally recognised provider of proficiency tests, running over 400 tests annually across an extensive range of matrices and analytes
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Great Crested Newts Testing
A single sample taken by an ecologist at any time during the newt breeding season can determine their presence or absence, saving you time and money
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100
years of science
600
R&D projects
1,000
active partnerships
100,000
samples per year
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How we can help...
Chemical and crop protection companies
Fera has the scientific and regulatory expertise to provide consultancy services to help you with every step of the regulatory framework process. Our experience derives from working in government, industry, contract research organisations and in regulatory consultancies. We have well-established working relationships with many competent authorities, which means we can support you to achieve product registrations effectively and efficiently.
Chemical Services
Terrestrial Ecotoxicology
Fera offers a wide range of standardised laboratory studies, aged residue tests as well as more complex higher tier studies under extended laboratory, glasshouse, semi-field and field conditions with standard or bespoke designs.
Environmental Fate
By understanding how chemical products are transformed, distributed and taken up by organisms in the natural environment, we can provide the data required for environmental risk assessments – ensuring you meet all regulatory requirements in the development of safe plant-protection and veterinary products.
Aquatic Ecotoxicology
Work with a partner with more than 20 years of experience in a wide range of study types on water quality and aquatic life. Accessing our new state-of-the-art facilities, purpose-built, high spec aquatic facility.
Endocrine Disrupting Screening
Recent updates to the EU regulations for biocide products (2017/2100) and plant protection products (2018/605) now require products to be labelled as endocrine disruptors, if they have a demonstrated adverse effect in an individual or its offspring which is a consequence of an endocrine mode of action.
Plant Metabolism
Fera offers a comprehensive range of dietary exposure testing services that includes primary plant metabolism and rotational crop studies, performed in dedicated environmentally controlled facilities.
See all Chemical services
CHEMICAL REGULATION
Mesocosm Studies
The CHAP mesocosm will be the first fully flow through, controlled outflow, facility in Europe. It has been specifically developed for the requirement of the ESFA 2013 Guidance (ESFA guidance stipulates that models such as FOCUS are used to estimate the amount of pesticide that will runoff to Edge-of-Field waterbodies).
Meet the scientists...
Rachel Benstead
Rachel has extensive knowledge and experience of chemical risk assessment, whole effluent assessment, endocrine disruption in aquatic wildlife, the Water Framework Directive and environmental impact assessments. At Fera, she is responsible for conducting research and managing projects regarding aquatic environmental protection, including studies that are conducted to OECD guidelines. She is also a GLP study director.
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Food manufacturers and retailers
With a large range of testing abilities, our multi-disciplinary approach gives an overall view of any food issue you may be facing, providing you with the complete information you need to make the strong decisions needed to address these issues.
Food Services
Order Online with Fera
You can now order your routine Food Tests online, making it simpler for you to work with us and meet your future food testing challenges.
Honey Authenticity
Fera offer extensive authenticity analysis capabilities across a range of samples, such as our extensive Manuka honey testing ability, where we can highlight the presence of Manuka’s active ingredients within one ‘Quad Test’.
Shelf Life Testing
At Fera our experts can develop and carry out a standard microbiological testing method to assess the bacterial content of food and beverage products as well as feed products to determine their use by date as well as associated hygiene or product practices.
Origen
OriGen helps you to quickly trace the cause of contamination and avoid expensive and damaging product recalls. As supply chains expand across the globe and become ever more complex, quality control systems are coming under increasing strain, and the number of product recalls is growing.
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TESTING
Contaminant Testing
Our experts focus on the scientific research relating to intentionally added food components and to those arising from chemical changes during food processing, bioactive chemicals and natural toxicants.
If you are unsure what kind of tests you need, we can help you diagnose your sample using our extensive analysis techniques.
Meet the scientists...
Emma Bradley
Emma is an analytical chemist by training and currently leads a team of 120 scientists working on food integrity and safety. She has more than 18 years of experience in the analysis of chemical contaminants in foods and specifically chemical migration from food contact materials and articles.
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Growers, farmers and agronomists
Fera offers a suite of crop health services, resources, testing facilities and expertise to help farmers, growers and the food industry to improve yields, reduce costs and develop sustainable solutions.
Growers, Farmers and Agronomist Services
Order Online with Fera
You can now order your routine Crop Tests online, making it simpler for you to work with us and meet your future crop testing challenges.
Plant Clinic
Fera's Plant Clinic is the largest in the UK. Our crop testing and molecular facilities deliver expert diagnostics on a range of plant issues from all over the world. We have extensive expertise in the fields of bacterial, fungal, viral, insect and nematode identification.
Virology Diagnosis
The virology diagnostics team at Fera utilises a range of tests, including ELISA, and molecular methods such as PCR and next generation sequencing, to both detect and identify a range of plant affecting viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas.
Insect monitoring
The Fera insect monitoring service helps growers to target insecticide applications more accurately to reduce costs and waste, optimise resources and improve yields.
See all Growers, farmers and agronomist services
CROP HEALTH
Monitoring of Potato Cyst Nematodes
Early detection of PCN is key to preserving yield, reducing costs and infestations. The introduction of PCN cysts into a field can go unnoticed for several years until the infestation reaches a harmful level. It is recommended that regular testing is carried out before signs of physical damage occur for efficient and sustainable management.
Meet the scientists...
Tom Prior
Principal Plant Nematologist
As lead nematologist, Tom's role is to deliver a high-quality nematology diagnostic service to a wide range of UK and overseas government and commercial clients. The team utilises a range of both cutting edge and classical techniques to provide comprehensive diagnostic service covering terrestrial nematodes across the global spectrum of agricultural and horticultural crops.
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Proficiency Testing
Established in 1990, Fapas is a globally recognised provider of proficiency tests, running over 400 tests annually across an extensive range of matrices and analytes for the food and water, environmental chemistry and microbiology sectors.
Proficiency Testing Services
Proficiency tests
Proficiency testing is an essential part of laboratory quality procedure and participation is a mandatory requirement of ISO 17025 accreditation. Fapas proficiency testing provides an independent assessment of your laboratory performance and compares your results to laboratories worldwide.
Quality control materials
Surplus test materials from the batch used for the PT may be available for purchase as quality control (QC) samples. These QC samples may be used for troubleshooting poor performance in the PT, training of new staff, method development or generating QC charts.
Reference materials
Reference Materials (RMs) are also available from Fapas for some analyte/matrix combinations. RMs have a much higher degree of characterisation than PT or QC materials with a defined chain of traceability
See all Proficiency Testing services
2020/21 PROGRAMME
Ready to Order?
Proficiency testing (PT) is an independent check of your laboratory procedures that provides you with a completely confidential assessment of your capability. Have you booked your PTs yet for 2020?
Meet the scientists...
Mark Sykes
Scientific Advisor to Fapas
Mark’s principal role is to provide expert advice on all aspects of Fapas proficiency tests and to investigate difficult datasets and their underlying scientific problems. Mark is also responsible for new product development in proficiency testing and developing bespoke schemes.
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Governments and academia
Translating research into real-world solutions across the agri-food supply chain
Government and Academia Services
Science strategy
We live in a changing world, one that faces global challenges such as climate change, increasing globalisation and population growth. In turn, these all affect our food security. Learn how we are meeting these challenges within our Science Strategy.
Areas of Expertise
As an organisation our focus is translating research into evidence and science-based products and services. As we move forward, we encourage an approach that is more entrepreneurial, internationally-focused and integrated into cross-cutting, interdisciplinary programmes that are underpinned by our strategic partnerships and driven by the needs of our customers.
IAFRI Partnership
The aim of the partnership is to deliver innovation in research across the agri-food supply chain, and provide sustainable solutions to problems facing Fera’s diverse customer base in both the agricultural and food sectors. The Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation (IAFRI) is a joint venture between Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd (Fera).
Careers at Fera
We are no ordinary people. We are original thinkers and problem solvers. Are you part of our solution?
Read about our science
BE AN ORIGINAL THINKER
Upcoming Events
Fera attend, exhibit and host a broad array of international events that explore the full scope of our scientific expertise and allow us to engage with our industry, academic and government stakeholders.
Meet the scientists...
Phil Jennings
Phil Jennings has over 25 years of experience in fungal plant pathology, especially epidemiology, disease control, experimental/field trial designs and investigative research approaches.
ADVANCES IN ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENTS 2020 SYMPOSIUM
Following the success of our inaugural Chemical Symposium which was held last year, we are pleased to confirm this year's dates for our Chemical Symposium 2020, which will be taking place on 1-2 July in York, UK.
The event will cover topics related to recent advances in environmental risk assessments, as well as regulatory risk mitigation measure with some well known industry and regulatory speakers being lined up. Over the two days, we will welcome speakers from regulators and international organisations alike from recognised key blue chip companies and many more to hear about and discuss recent scientific knowledge, developments and applications in environmental protection in the context of agricultural production. Find out more click here
New Fapas® 2020/21 Programme is now available to order:
Proficiency testing is an independent check of your laboratory procedures that provides you with a completely confidential assessment of your capability. Participation in proficiency testing schemes not only allows you to demonstrate the validity of your systems and the technical ability of your staff, it also helps you gain and maintain ISO/17025 accreditation.
Confidence in your laboratory equipment, methods, and staff provides your customers with the assurance that you are delivering the quality results they require. Fapas® proficiency testing schemes cover food and beverage chemistry, food and beverage microbiology, GM Foods, water and environmental chemistry, and water and environmental microbiology. Our quality control samples and reference materials can be purchased easily through our website throughout the year.
Fapas | Proficiency Testing From Fera
Copyright © 2020 Fera Science Limited (“Fera”). All rights reserved.
Registered Office: 30 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LR. Registered in England & Wales, No 9413107. Fera
is a joint venture company of Capita Plc, 30 Berners Street, London, W1T 3LR. Registered in England and
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