The test laboratory of SICK Hellas introduces itself

Authorities in every country set permissible emission limits for all industries. Our laboratory performs sampling, measurement and analysis of organic and inorganic air pollutants to verify the values and issues a compliance report. Our accreditation scope includes a wide range of organic and inorganic measurement methods.

Question: Where is the laboratory and when was the laboratory established?

Georgia Zisimou, Team Leader SICK Hellas: The SICK Hellas test laboratory was originally established in 2008 to meet the needs of our customers in periodic measurements of air emissions as well as to ensure the quality of automatic continuous measurement systems (CEMS). The laboratory has its own dedicated department inside our SICK Hellas facilities, located in Kifisia Industrial Area, Greece. It is equipped with modern sampling equipment and automatic analyzers for multiple and parallel measurements and in-house analytical equipment in order to respond immediately and efficiently to customers’ needs.

Question: What is the purpose of the laboratory?

Zisimou: Our purpose is to serve our customers in the most efficient way not only by providing world-class scientific services in Gas Emission Systems but also by consulting them how to fulfil and demonstrate that their processes are fully compliant with international and local standards.

Question: What are the customer benefits?

Zisimou: Our customers benefit from our in-depth knowledge, experience and expertise in all industries. This enables them to ensure that the most efficient measurement method is always used and that the latest international standards are taken into account. Our equipment is state of the art and enables fast and accurate measurements, which are recorded in a report that can be passed on to the authorities in this form. With this report, the customer is able to continue operating his plant legally and within the pollution limits set by the authorities.

Question: What classification does the laboratory have?

Zisimou: Our laboratory operates in accordance with the requirements of EN ISO / IEC 17025: 2005 and is accredited by The National Accreditation System in Greece (E.S.Y.D.) for measurements of gas emissions with standard methods in a wide range of applications. The accreditation certificate number 523 was originally issued in 2009 and after successive extensions now includes a sufficient number of measurement methods.

Question: What services does the laboratory offer for customers?

Zisimou: Our accreditation scope currently covers a wide range of organic and inorganic measurements, including:

Sampling and measurement of dust emissions (TSPs) according to EN 13284-1,
Sampling and measurement of HCl emissions according to EN 1911, HF according to ISO 15713, SO2 according to EN 14791 & NH3 according to VDI 3878,
Sampling for the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Ti and V according to EN 14385 and Hg according to EN 13211:2001,
Sampling for the determination of dioxins and furans according to EN 1948-1,
Sampling for the determination of individual gaseous organic compounds (VOC's) according to EN 13649,
Sampling and measurement of O2 emissions, according to EN 14789, CO2 according to ISO 12039:2001, CO according to EN 15058, NOx according to EN 14792 and N2O according to ISO 21258,
Measurement of gas velocity, volume flow rate according to ISO 16911-1,
Chemical analysis for the determination of SO2, HCl, NH3 & dust in samples from air polluntants

Additionally the laboratory of SICK Hellas is accredited according to EN 14181 and it is capable to check the function of continuous emission monitoring systems and to perform parallel measurements as required by the QAL2 / AST procedures.

Question: In which industrial sectors does the laboratory specialize?

Zisimou: Emphasizing on offering services of the highest quality, the laboratory carries out measurement activities in a wide and diverse clientele, including chemical, metal recycling and power plants, cement industries, incinerators, oil refineries and other facilities that require monitoring of atmospheric emissions.

Question: Who is behind the laboratory?

Zisimou: The team leader of the laboratory is myself. I am part of the company for over 12 years. I am a chemical engineer with great experience in the field of measurements and analysis testing services. The team consists of three employees, all engineers with university degrees in natural sciences. They have gained experience in performing emission measurements in industrial plants in Greece and abroad. Due to a continuous training, the team constantly acquires knowledge on the latest industrial processes and the revisions of the European environmental legislation.

Question: How is the laboratory structured?

Zisimou: As mentioned above the laboratory is a dedicated department in SICK Hellas. Each employee is valuable and necessary for the proper function of the laboratory. For example, the quality manager is responsible for ensuring that the quality system is established, implemented and maintained according to the requirements of ISO 17025:2017. The technical supervisor is responsible for the smooth technical function of the laboratory and the implementation of our methods on the measurements and the analyses, ensuring that the provided service satisfies the customer‘s needs. The laboratory engineers are responsible for applying the methods of the laboratory on the measurement’s site in order to secure the quality of the provided services. The support personnel are another important part of the laboratory. They involve on the review of contracts with customers and in the purchase of materials and equipment that secure the quality of our services.

Even though we work in a rather functional way, both within the department but also outside, I am leading the lab delegating responsibilities among the team members. Our qualified Lab Engineers are sharing the focusing domains of Quality & Reporting Management, Accreditation and Methods Knowledge in addition with Internal Procedures and End Customer communication. During our monthly meetings we always transfer gained knowledge and experience to all team members.

Question: Which customers have already used the laboratory?

Zisimou: Among the clients, who have used our services, you can find many leading companies from different sectors such as coal-fired power plants, incinerators, refineries, cement and brick works, printing presses, metal recycling, in Greece and from abroad.

Dear Ms. Zisimou, thank you very much for the interview!

Please contact us if you would like to learn more about the services of the testing laboratory.