State-owned Transnet Engineering (TE) launched its South African National Accreditation System- (Sanas-) accredited material testing laboratory at its Koedoespoort plant, on July 29.

Initially established to support TE’s internal testing requirements, the laboratory is now open to external clients, offering specialised testing services to industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and mining.

With ISO 17025 accreditation, TE noted that the facility adheres to international standards for testing and calibration, ensuring precision, reliability and quality.

The facility is equipped with advanced technology to meet diverse material testing needs.

This includes a scanning electron microscope; an optical microscope; hardness testing; tensile, creep and bend testing; impact testing; a tribometer for advanced wear testing; sample preparation equipment; X-ray diffraction testing; and a spectrometer for accurate chemical composition analysis.

TE expressed that ISO 17025 accreditation ensured that test results were globally recognised, enabling clients to meet stringent regulatory and quality standards.

It noted that TE’s expansion into external markets reflected its commitment to supporting South Africa’s industrial growth and innovation by providing “unparalleled material testing services”.

“The team has been hard at work to ensure that we have the systems, the procedures, the processes in place to ensure compliance to the requirements of ISO 17025.

“This concerted effort has brought us to where we have achieved just that – the lab is now Sanas-accredited,” said TE engineering GM Collin Moopanar during the launch.

“While my congratulations go out to the team for their hard work and this momentous achievement, it must not be seen as a destination, but rather a continuous process, because the journey to ensure that we maintain the accreditation continues, and we use this initiative to create a sustainable business venture,” he added.

The laboratory is staffed by a team of five engineers, including a laboratory manager, a quality manager and three full-time technicians.

Sanas accreditation executive Mpho Phaloane congratulated TE on its accreditation for the laboratory, detailing the specific functions for which it is accredited, including metallurgical, hardness, tensile testing and spectrographic analysis.

He explained that the accreditation is valid for five years, with regular checks to ensure maintenance of excellence.

Also speaking at the event, TE principal engineer Dr Velaphi Matjeke described the accreditation as a formal recognition of competence for TE, allowing for global and local recognition.

“This is not just a testing facility, it is a centre of excellence,” he said.