Calibration or Testing Laboratory of the Year

This award is open to any laboratory or research group engaging in the testing or calibration industry. This includes industrial or commercial labs or those at third level institutes or research institutions. It also includes laboratories working in the public service and health care facilities.

Entry is by a 5 A4 page submission; the judges will be looking for clear information backed up by facts that pays particular attention to the criteria listed below.

• Please outline the size and nature of the organisation where the work is carried out. This includes the turnover or level of funding; level of job creation/ employment/ training or number of students hosted.

• Originality of the research/ work carried out in the lab: How does your work, process or service compare to everybody else’s? How competitive is your product, service or research?

• Innovation: The lab must have a track record of innovation. They must demonstrate the degree of innovation of products, services or in research and their commercial potential.

• Quality of publications and/or patents/ or software or growth of commercial success: The lab must submit details of previous relevant publications, patents or prizes. Or in a commercial lab show significant activity that has contributed to growth (specific investment, launch of product or expansion).

• Professional Standing and accreditation: What are the qualifications of the lab leaders or accreditations achieved by the lab?

• What is the impact of the research, technology or process to the market, and market applications and implementation?

• Quality of service and relationship with clients: How do you live up to industry standards for delivery of service excellence and operational standards? What is your hit rate and how efficient are you?