Leveraging Technical Resources For Iso/iec 17025 Laboratory Accreditation; Genome Trakr and Elexnet

Project Summary/AbstractThe purpose of this proposal from the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) is tostrengthen the Integrated Food Safety System by providing training, workshops, andeducational resources to laboratories seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and to laboratoriesthat participate in FDA's GenomeTrackr network. Furthermore, through outreach, marketing,and technical support, the work under this proposal will improve the sharing of food testing datavia FDA's premiere platform, eLEXNET.APHL will? ? strategically help eLEXNET become the hub of food safety and analytical data ? define processes and procedures to increase utilization of the eLEXNET platform ? provide technical assistance and tools so states can automatically exchange data witheLEXNET ? provide resources to enhance laboratory accreditation and Genome Trackr sequencing ? deliver courses on specific topics relevant to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and Genome Trackr participationThese efforts will strategically help eLEXNET become a centralized platform for data exchange,increase utilization of the eLEXNET collaboration platform, and define new requirements andbusiness procedures that will facilitate program standardization. We will meet individuallaboratory and broad-based training needs around ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation andwhole genome sequencing for the GenomeTrackr network. We will provide forums to improvecommunication and collaboration between federal, state and local food and animal feed testinglaboratories and other GenomeTrackr laboratories. Measurement of success will be againststated metrics, refined in consultation with the funding agency.This proposal extends valuable collaborative work with the Office of Regulatory Science andOffice of Partnerships at FDA. As the Association representing state and local laboratories,APHL can effectively and efficiently advance the goals of this Cooperative Agreement. For over50 years, we have met the responsibility to educate, train and provide technical assistance toour members and put forth practice guidelines that define the field. Leveraging our experiencewill better position FDA to work in partnership with state and local authorities to build anintegrated food safety system and achieve national public health goals.