When SAMI Bitumen Technologies (SAMI) opened its new SAMI Technical Centre (STC) in Sydney, it wasn’t just launching a state-of-the-art laboratory, it was continuing a quality legacy built on more than 30 years of NATA accreditation.
Since 1994, NATA accreditation has underpinned SAMI’s laboratory operations. While STC is a new purpose-built facility, its accreditation history stretches back to the company’s former Camellia laboratory, with the accredited scope successfully transferred to the new site.
Today, STC serves as SAMI’s central hub for testing, quality control, research and development, supporting both internal operations and external clients across the bitumen, asphalt and emulsion sectors.
Maintaining accreditation throughout the transition was critical. As SAMI consolidated its testing and research capabilities into a single facility, it sought to ensure the same high standards of technical competence, quality assurance and customer confidence were carried forward.
“NATA accreditation provides independent assurance that our testing is reliable, traceable and performed to recognised standards,” the team said. “That confidence is vital when results support product compliance, major project decisions and long-term infrastructure performance.”
A key factor in the successful transition was continuity. Experienced technical staff and testing equipment were relocated from the Camellia laboratory to STC, preserving valuable expertise, established testing practices and robust quality systems.
Before testing commenced, the team undertook extensive preparation, including equipment verification, method reviews, calibration checks and competency assessments. As a purpose-built facility, STC was also carefully designed to meet the environmental and operational requirements of accredited testing.
For SAMI, accreditation is more than a certification. It is embedded in everyday operations through a quality management system aligned with ISO/IEC 17025. Principles such as impartiality, traceability and technical competence guide the organisation’s approach to testing and continuous improvement.
The company’s experienced laboratory professionals continue to play a vital role, mentoring new team members and helping maintain the culture of quality that has supported accreditation for decades.
Looking ahead, SAMI sees accreditation as a key enabler of future growth. Through ongoing training, audits, proficiency testing and quality assurance activities, the STC team remains committed to maintaining the high standards that customers and industry have come to expect.
For SAMI, the move to STC demonstrates that while facilities may change, a commitment to quality, technical excellence and accredited confidence remains constant.
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