This document summarizes survey results from 30 soil laboratories across 12 countries in Southeast Asia. It finds that most laboratories have 5-10 rooms and surface areas between 150-600 square meters. Staff levels range from 5-20 people with the majority holding B.Sc. degrees. Over half of laboratories analyze under 500 samples annually for physical and chemical properties, though biological analysis levels varied more. Most laboratories have quality control procedures in place and over 60% run reference samples each batch. Top needs identified were training, quality control support, and standardizing methods and procedures. Laboratories expect assistance from networks like GLOSOLAN and SEALNET in these areas as well as proficiency testing and improving capacity.

1. Overview on the status of Soil
Laboratories in SEALNET
Filippo Benedetti
GSP Secretariat

2. Information received from 12 countries,
regarding 30 laboratories:
• Afghanistan
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• China
• India (x2)
• Mongolia (x2)
• Myanmar
• Pakistan
• Philippines (x12)
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand (x6)
• Vietnam

3. 13
6
11
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
< 5 5 to 10 > 10
Number of rooms
7
11 11
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
< 150 150 to 600 > 600
Surface area of the lab
(in m2)
Laboratory facilities

4. 8
12
5 5
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
< 5 5 to 10 10 to 20 > 20
Amount of staff
Laboratory Staff
21%
28%
51%
Degree
Ph.D. M.Sc. B.Sc.
63%
37%
Training
Regularly Not regularly

5. 14
5 5
6
< 500 500 - 2000 > 2000 N.A.
Physical analysis
5
8
17
< 500 500 - 2000 > 2000
Chemical analysis
Amount of samples analyzed every year
8
1 1
20
< 500 500 - 2000 > 2000 N.A.
Biological analysis

6. Quality Control (QC) process
60%
40%
Labs with QC procedures
Yes No
79%
14% 7%
Frequency of QC processes
Run a reference sample every batch
> 1 PT/year
1 PT/year or less
62%
38%
Labs registered in some national/international
(PT) or Inter-Laboratory Comparison programs
Registered Not registered

7. Trainings
29%
Consumables and
equipment
4%
Quality Control (QC)
33%
Safety
7%
Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs)
17%
Training on
spectroscopy
8%
Better lab waste
management
2%
Laboratories main needs

8. Expectations from GLOSOLAN and SEALNET
Improve laboratory
capacity by providing
technical assistance
and organization of
training programs
29%
Awareness raising
8%
Provide the
necessary
instrumentation
5%Organization of
inter-laboratories
proficiency tests
16%
Harminization of
methods and SOPs
24%
Share knowledge
among network
members
18%

9. Thanks for your attention