- Signals new era in public health excellence
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Monday, May 5, 2025: In a defining moment for Jamaica’s public health system, the Environmental Health Laboratory (EHL) has officially received international accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
This milestone affirms the laboratory’s technical competence and global readiness to deliver reliable, high-quality environmental testing and monitoring services, strengthening the country’s capacity to safeguard both public health and the environment.
The accreditation, granted by the Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC), confirms that the EHL meets international standards for quality and competence in environmental testing. This achievement underscores the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ ongoing commitment to scientific excellence and evidence-based decision-making.
The certification was celebrated at a formal event, held on April 30, 2025 at the AC Hotel in Kingston. The event was attended by Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, Minister of Health & Wellness; Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce; Dr. Yvette Castell, Chief Executive Officer of JANAAC; Dr. Marlene Tapper, Director of National Laboratory Services; and Mr. Leonard Smith, Manager of the EHL.
Their presence highlighted the critical role of inter-ministerial collaboration and national regulatory support in achieving this prestigious recognition. JANAAC facilitated the rigorous assessment process, ensuring the laboratory met the highest global standards for testing quality and reliability.
The EHL serves as a national cornerstone for routine testing and environmental monitoring. In 2024 alone, the laboratory conducted more than 4,000 tests spanning water quality, air purity, and other critical environmental touchpoints.
Equipped with advanced technologies, including spectrophotometers, photoionization detection metres, and laser optical particle counters, the EHL is now officially poised to operate as Jamaica’s national reference point for environmental public health data.
“This accreditation is a testament to the hard work, technical excellence, and unwavering commitment of our Environmental Health team. It means that the people of Jamaica can have even greater confidence in the work we do every day to ensure a safe and healthy environment,” noted Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, MP, Minister of Health & Wellness, speaking on the achievement.
“This accreditation not only enhances Jamaica’s global credibility in public health monitoring. but also marks a pivotal step toward the laboratory’s formal designation as the National Environmental Public Health Reference Laboratory. Built on the pillars of innovation, data analytics, and collaborative research, this development reinforces the Ministry of Health & Wellness’ ongoing efforts to transform the healthcare landscape and better respond to evolving environmental and public health challenges,” the Minister added.
The Ministry extends heartfelt congratulations to the EHL team and reaffirms its dedication to upholding the highest standards in environmental public health.