Ocean Optics achieves ISO 9001:2008, detects contraband in China with spectrosopy

Ocean Optics (Dunedin, FL), a leader in miniature photonics, says it has achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification applicable to the design and manufacture of electro-optical equipment. The effort prompted the company to "improve and upgrade many aspects of our business," said Ocean Optics president Rob Randelman. "While we've always made the quality of our products and meeting customer expectations a priority, we welcomed the opportunity that certification presented to benchmark our processes versus known industry best practice," he noted.

In addition, Ocean Optics reports that it has supplied ten of its QE65000 scientific grade spectrometers to the Third Research Institute of the Ministry of Public Security in Shanghai, China. The spectrometers have been integrated into demo units of the AY01-01 Rapid Liquid Contraband Detector which uses Raman spectrometry to detect a number of liquid and crystal contraband substances.

Currently deployed in various airport locations and border crossings with Vietnam, the QE65000 reportedly enables the AY01-01 to detect explosives, drugs, dangerous chemicals and other hazardous liquids, or transparent crystals. The device is currently capable of differentiating among up to 200 different compounds, with the speed and accuracy of Raman spectroscopy. Its use is expected to expand beyond airports and borders to large public gatherings such as conferences and sporting events. Unlimited language options make it suited to global use, says Ocean Optics.

For the ISO certification, Ocean Optics' quality management system was audited by National Quality Assurance, U.S.A. and found to be in compliance with the provisions of the ISO 9001:2008 standards. ISO 9001:2008 certification ensures that a company has met a comprehensive set of standards dictated by the International Standards Organization (ISO) covering all aspects of the business: design, development, sales, manufacturing, and service.

The audit evaluated the company's procedures for quality assurance, production, continuous improvement, performance to customer expectation, internal audits, contract review and purchasing. The audit preparation was a company-wide initiative.

"Continuously improving not only the product offering, but the entire customer experience is one key to driving lasting sustainable growth for our company. Earning the ISO 9001:2008 certification assures our customers of the commitment we have to serving them well," Randelman said.

For more information see Ocean Optics' website. For details on the spectrometer being deployed for contraband detection, see the dedicated QE65000 page.