More cement testing labs join CeMAP program on product safety

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 38 laboratories that conduct proficiency tests on cement products have participated in the CeMAP’s proficiency testing program round 4.

Twelve of these laboratories are from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 15 from Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) members and 11 non-member or private laboratories.

These laboratories are subjected to proficiency test as a requirement for the renewal of their DPWH certificate of accreditation.

“Participation in the proficiency testing program is a crucial component in our responsibility to ensure that only quality cement products are available in the market,” said CeMAP president Ernesto Ordoñez.

Ordoñez disclosed that the program’s round 1 in 2006 only had CeMAP member laboratories, while rounds 2-3 involved both CeMAP member and DPWH laboratories. Round 4 was significant in that we had all the private laboratories seeking DPWH accreditation as a requirement.

Ordoñez added that this proficiency testing is the first and only one in Southeast Asia. He discussed this initiative at the recently-concluded 36th council meeting of the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) held in Singapore last Nov. 15-17, where he was the former president.

DPWH Department Order 48 states: “Applicants for initial and/or renewal of Certificate of Accreditation of testing cement products shall be required to undergo the Proficiency Testing Program conducted by Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CeMAP) to enhance their capabilities to test cement in accordance with the prescribed standards.”

The DPWH Bureau of Research and Standards gives accreditation to private testing laboratories that can perform the testing of materials for and in behalf of the Department.

CeMAP recently presented the results and evaluation of the scores of participating laboratories from different parts of the country.

“This program helps the laboratories in ensuring consumer welfare by ascertaining that only cement which has passed applicable standards go into their homes and buildings as well as road and infrastructure projects of DPWH,” said Ordoñez.

“We are planning to conduct the testing every year to monitor the competency and performance of the laboratories,” Ordo˜ez added.