Raw Materials Testing

Raw materials testing covers a range of tests aimed at assuring users of the quality and purity of raw materials that are used in production. This includes the incidence and measurement of contamination, and is done to ensure that the quality of the end-product is consistent, to prevent product failure and to ensure safety for both products to be consumed by humans and those to be used in industry. The testing of raw materials is an essential for any manufacturer to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements; and to save companies the cost of expensive product recalls if contamination is discovered later. Testing of materials and material purity should be carried out periodically to ensure consistency, but also whenever a new material is introduced into the manufacturing and production processes; or when there is a change of supplier. Raw materials testing takes place throughout many industries. One particular example is within the pharmaceuticals industry, where raw ingredients may be animal-derived and should be tested for bacteria such as mycoplasma, yeast and viruses. The food and animal feed manufacturing industries and the construction industry also rely heavily on such testing to ensure products comply with national, European and international standards.