Part 5Veterinary diagnostic laboratories

Part 5—Veterinary diagnostic laboratories 22—Eligibility requirements (1) In determining whether to grant registration under section 20 of the Act to operate a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, the Chief Inspector must have regard to— (a) the suitability of the applicant to be granted registration; and (b) the arrangements that the applicant has made to fulfil the obligations that may arise under these regulations; and (c) the suitability of the premises for their purpose; and (d) the standard of construction of the premises and the standard of the facilities and equipment on the premises; and (e) the nature of the examinations and tests to be carried out at the laboratory; and (f) any other relevant matter. (2) If an application is made in respect of proposed premises, the Chief Inspector— (a) must determine whether he or she will grant registration if the premises are completed substantially in accordance with the proposal and, if so, the conditions (if any) he or she will impose on the registration; and (b) if he or she determines that registration will be granted in those circumstances, is bound by that decision. 23—Conditions of registration Registration under section 20 of the Act of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory is subject to the following conditions: (a) the laboratory must be supervised by a person or persons approved by the Chief Inspector; In respect of the supervision of animal disease diagnosis carried out at the laboratory, the person must be a veterinary surgeon. In respect of the supervision of residue analysis carried out at the laboratory, the person must hold appropriate qualifications. (b) the methods used at the laboratory for animal disease diagnosis must conform to the Australian Standard Techniques for Animal Diseases published for the Australian Agricultural Council (Standing Committee on Agriculture) by CSIRO Australia, as in force from time to time; (c) if a result from any test or analysis carried out at the laboratory indicates that any livestock or livestock product or other property is, or is likely to be, affected with a notifiable condition the result must be reported to the Chief Inspector by the quickest practicable means, together with such further information as the Chief Inspector may reasonably require; (d) records of results from each test or analysis carried out at the laboratory must be kept for a period of at least 7 years; (e) a laboratory sample or specimen affected or reasonably suspected of being affected with a notifiable condition must not, without the approval of the Chief Inspector— (i) be brought into the laboratory from interstate or overseas; or (ii) be sent from the laboratory out of the State; (f) laboratory samples or specimens or records of results from a test or analysis carried out at the laboratory, must, at the request of the Chief Inspector, be provided to the Chief Inspector or a person nominated by the Chief; (g) the laboratory must participate in a quality assurance program approved by the Chief Inspector. 24—Term of registration and renewal (1) The term of registration of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory is until 30 June in the third year after registration is granted. (2) Renewal of registration is for 3 years.