The Laboratory Approval and Testing Division (LATD) provides scientific, technical, and testing support services to AMS commodity programs and to the agricultural community in order to facilitate domestic and international marketing of agricultural commodities.

LATD develops and administers laboratory approval programs to enhance and expand export market access for US commodities by verifying and monitoring that the analyses of products destined to be exported or sold meet various countries’ or customers’ requirements.

In addition, LATD, through the National Science Laboratories (NSL), provides analytical testing services in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology on a fee-for-service basis. The NSL’s primary mission is to serve AMS commodity programs, other Federal agencies, and industries, with analytical testing in support of grading, commodity purchases, exports, compliance, product specifications, and research. The NSL has established a high level of quality assurance and is ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited. The laboratory consistently performs tests on commodities such as food products, juice products, canned and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and egg products, honey, meats, milk and dairy products, military and emergency food rations, oils, peanuts and other nuts, organic foods and products, and tobacco.