What are Good Laboratory Practices (GLP)?

The principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) promote the quality and validity of data generated in the testing of chemicals and prevent fraudulent practices.

GLP is enforced in different countries and regions based on different regulatory bodies. However, to ensure testing consistency, most major nations agreed on a harmonization of rules, forming the

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The goal of GLP is to ensure standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place to cover all activities in the laboratory.

An independent Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) should be in place to ensure:

• The staff is well trained, follows protocol and standard procedures.
• The equipment used in GLP testing is calibrated and maintained.
• Records generated during testing are kept secure.
• And results of each test or process are backed up and checked by a quality assurance unit or audited according to current guidelines.