Why is laboratory approval necessary and who acknowledges LACE ?
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Laboratory approval ensures that textile tests are performed correctly and in accordance with the test methods / retailers requirements, by a laboratory that has good quality systems and so can provide consistent and accurate results.
The LACE scheme has been chosen and acknowledged by a number of retailers, to give them confidence in results produced by laboratories around the world.
See retailers page.
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To whom does LACE approval apply ?
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Laboratories within suppliers and mills world-wide.
Small independent laboratories world-wide, particularly if no national approval has been achieved or as an aid to the process of achieving national approval.
Any laboratory that wishes to have the support and assistance of approval.
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What area of tests does LACE primarily cover ?
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LACE primarily covers basic and general textile tests frequently requested by UK retailers and as specified within their performance manuals. The tests are categorised to assist laboratories with their choice and reflects the typical levels to which laboratories are equipped. Most tests covered are British, European or Internationally recognised methods with a few being retailer specific.
Some more specialist tests are included, for example Quantitative Analysis BS4407 and occasionally flammability of Nightwear to the British Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985.
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What are the benefits of the LACE scheme to laboratories ?
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The LACE scheme provides a link between laboratories around the world to the UK retailers. The LACE team are able to guide and assist laboratory personnel in the understanding of the requirements of the retailers and the reasons and purposes of tests.
LACE provides the relevant performance requirements to the laboratories prior to any visit, assists the laboratories with their Quality System development and continually monitors their performance through correlation and proficiency tests provided through TEPS - see TEPS page.
LACE is not just a once a year visit, assistance is available all year round.
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What means of communication are there ?
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The LACE team can be contacted by any means, Telephone, Fax and E-mail.
E-mail has proven to be the most effective form of communication certainly since the the spread of the laboratories is so world-wide.
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What is the cost of LACE ?
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Refer to the LACE pricelist , which gives visit costs, what is covered by the costs and the travel and subsistence charges
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When do we do Correlation Tests ?
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After a first approval visit a small correlation exercise is conducted, but after approval, a laboratory is automatically included within the TEPS proficiency scheme. In this scheme a group of tests are issued 4 times per year.
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What is the Frequency of LACE approval ?
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The requirement by the UK retailers is that the approval is conducted annually.
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