Public Analyst
- Regulators
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- Food Standards Scotland
- Scottish Ministers
- Nations
-
- Scotland
- Sectors
-
- Other
Regulatory or professional bodies
Primary regulator
- Regulatory authority
- Food Standards Scotland
- Address
-
4th Floor, Pilgrim House
Aberdeen
AB11 5RL - Email address
- enquiries@fss.scot
- Phone number
- +44 (0)1224 285 100
Oversight body
- Regulatory authority
- Scottish Ministers
- Address
-
Scottish Government, St. Andrew's House, Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG - Email address
- ceu@gov.scot
- Website
- https://www.gov.scot
- Phone number
- +44 (0)3002 444 000
Regulation
Regulation summary
Under the Food Safety Act (1990), Public Analysts in Scotland are regulated by Scottish Ministers. Public Analysts are responsible for performing chemical analyses on food to ensure businesses are complying with food safety law in Scotland.
Regulation type
Reserved activities
Public Analysts will examine food as part of official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law. Public Analysts will also provide advice to sampling officers on:
• sampling policy and the sampling programme
• transport
• quality
• test selection
• interpretation of results
Public Analysts will also support Sampling Officers on the preparation of materials for prosecutions.
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/scientists-and-researchers/professions-regulated-by-food-standards-scotland
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
-
To become a qualified Public Analyst in the UK you must have a Mastership in Chemical Analysis (MChemA) awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
To apply for the MChemA qualification and be eligible for appointment as a Public Analyst, you needs to:
• be an associate of the RSC when they start the MChemA process. You will need to be member or fellow of the RSC by the time they apply for Part C of the application process• have carried out examination of food in a Public Analyst’s laboratory in the UK, or other laboratory concerned with relevant food, environment, and agricultural analysis
If you do not meet the above criteria, then you are not eligible to obtain an MChemA qualification and will not be able to practise as a Public Analyst in the UK. RSC ensure degrees awarded from overseas are equivalent to UK qualifications through the ENIC (the UK national agency for international qualifications and skills). There is no alternative process for those with overseas qualifications and there are no fees payable to FSS.
Visit the ENIC website for more information at https://www.enic.org.uk/When you are applying for MChemA you may not have all the experience required to become a Public Analyst. In this case, you may need formal training. This could be in the form of seminars, courses, or laboratory secondments. The Association of Public Analysts (APA) organises training courses and publishes training guides to support MChemA candidates.
Visit the Association of Public Analysts (APA) website for more information at http://www.publicanalyst.com/Application process to become a Public Analyst
The application process to become a PA typically takes around 4 years. Any fees incurred are payable to the RSC.
To apply, you are required to:
• have an up to date CV
• have an internal and an external counsellor
• pass on Part A, Part B and Part C examinations
• have a portfolio of evidence
Visit the RSC website for more information on how to apply at https://www.rsc.org/careers/cpd/practising-scientists/When you have successfully completed the application process, the MChemA qualification will be awarded by the MChemA Examinations Board. Following the award of the MChemA and appointment by a local authority, you may practise as a Public Analyst. There is no further requirement or licence needed to lawfully practise as a PA.
Professionals from other UK nations
- Routes to recognition within the UK
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The required qualifications are the same in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The FSS regulates Public Analysts in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The FSA and DHSC Secretary of State regulates Food Analysts for Wales, the FSA and Department of Health (Northern Ireland) regulates Food Analysts in Northern Ireland.
- More about recognition within the UK
- https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/publications-and-research/scientists-and-researchers/professions-regulated-by-food-standards-scotland
Professionals from outside the UK
- Recognition for professionals outside the UK
- None - all professionals must re-qualify
- Summary of routes
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To become qualified to practice as an Public Analyst in the UK, you must:
(1) possess a Mastership in Chemical Analysis
(2) have carried out examination of food in a Public Analyst’s laboratory in the UK, or other laboratory concerned with relevant food.If you do not possess these qualifications, you may not practice as an Public Analyst.
Registration
- Registration requirements
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Public Analysts are expected to record and maintain their continuous professional development (CPD). The RSC offers a free CPD recording tool for members to keep track of development. Alternatively, if the MChemA holder is a member of the APA, the APA CPD scheme can be used to record professional development.
- More about registration
- https://www.rsc.org/careers?e=1
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
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Food Safety Act 1990
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1990/16/contents
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2013
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/84/contents