Skip to main content

This is a new service - your feedback will help us to improve it.

Public Analyst

Regulators
  • 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
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

Licence

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.


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

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.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
None - all professionals must re-qualify
Summary of routes

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

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

Food Safety Act 1990

Title of relevant act or charter

The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) (Scotland) Regulations 2013

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.