Page 65 - FoodFocusThailand No.242 June 2026

STRONG QC & QA

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO LABORATORY SAFETY:
AUTOMATION AND COMPLIANCE

Automation has provided scientists with a powerful tool for achieving more accurate and consistent results
while improving operator safety and reducing fatigue. Automation has revolutionized the field of laboratory
analysis by reducing operator influence over sample preparation, collection, and evaluation of datasets.

Automation for Smarter Laboratory Operations Database Systems for Enhancing Laboratory
By enhancing reproducibility across replicates, batches, or Safety
sites, automation improves accuracy and confidence in any To operate automation systems effectively, data must be
measurement or series of measurements. This powerful transmitted to “databases” for systematic storage and
strategy toward data consistency involves converting manual, management. However, storing data in files or paper poses
subjective processes into automated, objective ones. One of significant challenges to data safety. Collecting data on
the key advantages of automation is the ability to generate paper is primarily unstructured, and sharing it is difficult.
richer datasets than would be achievable manually in the Data stored in files is often scattered across various folders,
same timeframe, allowing chemists and engineers to record making them susceptible to loss, misplacement, unwanted
detailed experimental data while simultaneously interrogating copies, modifications, or deletions without leaving a trace.
multiple parameters of interest. These rich datasets enable This heightens the difficulty of detecting malicious activities or
researchers to analyze trends and make informed decisions unauthorized access.
toward improved process design, all with less effort. Databases provide a centralized and organized method of
storing data, ensuring consistency and security. Features like
Integration of PAT, QbD, and Risk Assessment backup and recovery, transaction management, and access
for Robust Inspection Systems control further fortify data safety, reducing the risks of loss or
To further enhance the intelligence of automation systems, corruption. Moreover, databases enforce data integrity and
Process Analytical Technology (PAT), the Quality by Design accuracy with constraints and validations that guarantee the
(QbD) approach, and Risk Assessment are interrelated tools data remains accurate, consistent, and complete. This aspect
that play a crucial role in effectively improving process safety. is vital for preventing errors and inaccuracies that may arise in
PAT enables real-time monitoring and measurement of file-based systems. Databases are also ideal when access to
processes, while QbD is a framework for designing quality data needs to be fast and reliable, as they provide scalability,
from the outset by defining and controlling key process performance, and efficiency for retrieving and processing large
parameters to achieve the desired outcomes. Risk Assessment, amounts of data.
on the other hand, identifies and evaluates potential risks in When these components work together, they form
advance, allowing preventive measures to be established at an “Intelligent Laboratory Ecosystem” that not only
the design stage. When these three concepts are integrated enhances accuracy and safety but also elevates transparency,
into the automation systems, they enhance process accuracy reliability, and compliance with international standards at an
and consistency, reduce operator-induced variability, and industrial level.
significantly improve process safety, making operations more
reliable at the industrial level.

More Information Service Info C010

J JUN 2026UN 2026 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 65 65
FOOD FOCUS THAILAND

22/5/2569 BE 15:12
64-65_Strong QC&QA_Mettler.indd 65
64-65_Strong QC&QA_Mettler.indd 65 22/5/2569 BE 15:12