Matís issues the following announcement regarding the FA report "Supervision fees for the economy" where, among other things, Matís' tariff is discussed in the context of food safety supervision. The report criticizes the fact that it is not possible to access Matís 'comprehensive tariff, either through direct communication or on Matís' website.
We welcome an open discussion on food safety monitoring in Iceland and would like to point out the following in this context:
Matís is a research company which, like other research companies in Iceland, serves public regulators (Matvælastofnun and regional health surveillance) and private parties regarding measurements and research. Matís has built up an extensive infrastructure in the field of chemical, microbial and genetic measurements of food and environmental samples in Iceland with a view to serving food producers and the administration of food safety as well as possible. This structure contributes to improved food security for consumers and the production of healthy foods.
Matís 'pricing is based on the actual cost of measurements and Matís' laboratory is accredited. The cost of maintaining accreditation is part of the price of measurements at Matís, together with depreciation costs, specialized maintenance, material costs, staff time, etc. Matís receives samples every working day, but certain measurements, especially microbiological measurements, require a certain time frame, which means that work must in some cases be carried out on weekends.
We offer our customers measurements and work with them to keep costs to a minimum, for example by emphasizing that the organization of sampling is suitable for the organization of measurements. The number of samples is very important in this context and must be taken into account, among other things, the timing of measurements and access to research equipment. The publication of some kind of public price list would be conducive to reducing efficiency and flexibility and would not serve the interests of our customers.
Iceland is in international competition in food production. Matís is in an international competition for measurements. Our competitors have access to multiple samples compared to Icelandic conditions. This offers a simple price list, where it is assumed that samples go to the end of the queue when they arrive. Priority is paid separately. The size of food production in Iceland does not allow such an arrangement. That is why investing in infrastructure and human resources in Matís laboratories is all the more important. In this way, food production and tourism are supported and the export interests of the nation's key industries are secured, food security in Iceland is increased, the response time is shortened and the value creation of food producers is strengthened.
Special notes:
Pp. 14: Regarding the increase in the "sampling fee" from ISK 61,320 to ISK 81,760. It is assumed that this refers to pesticide measurements in fruit and vegetables. In 2014, an extensive development took place in the field of pesticide measurements at Matís, where the number of substances measured was increased from approx. 60 up to 135 and today almost 190 substances are measured. This is done to meet the requirements set out in Icelandic and European food legislation regarding the maximum levels of pesticides in these products. The reason for the increase was the increase in the number of substances, which is less than the relative increase in the number of compounds.
Pp. 21: Matís' price list is not published in the required manner. Matís is in competition on the free market. Customers look for offers and conduct their business according to those offers. Matís always makes an offer for each and every customer with the aim of optimizing the customer's costs by streamlining Matís' work, for example based on the timing of measurements and the appropriate organizational sampling. Public bodies, the Food Administration and regional health inspections, which submit official inspection samples, organize sampling in collaboration with Matís with the aim of minimizing the costs of inspectors. Price increases for measurements are kept to a minimum, for example, increases in most recent years have been much lower than increases in wages and other costs of measurements.
Sveinn Margeirsson, CEO of Matís
Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, Head of Measurement Services and Infrastructure
For further information, please contact Hrönn Ólína Jörundsdóttir, hronn.o.jorundsdottir@matis.is