After years of preparation, compliance efforts, and continuous improvement, we are proud to announce that the Centralized Analytical Testing Laboratory (CATL) of the University of Antique has successfully secured its CATO Certificate No. 623 on February 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in its operational development.
The CATO, issued by the Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) of Chemistry in accordance with Republic Act No. 10657, also known as the Chemistry Profession Act, is valid until February 17, 2029. It is an official license required for chemistry laboratories in the Philippines ensuring that laboratories meet national standards for safety, competence, and quality in chemical testing and analysis.
Securing the CATO affirms not only CATLβs compliance with regulatory standards but also opens opportunities for further institutional growth. With this certification in place, the laboratory is now better positioned to pursue additional accreditations and licenses from agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH). These future certifications will enable CATL to expand its range of analytical services and better serve the testing needs of communities in Antique and neighboring provinces.
Based on the latest list of accredited laboratories published by the PRB of Chemistry in September 2025, CATL is currently the first chemistry laboratory in the province of Antique to obtain its CATO. This achievement also positions the University of Antique as the third State University and College (SUC) in the Philippines to operate a CATO-certified chemistry laboratory, and the first institution in the Visayas region to reach this distinction.
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