By law, all COVID-19 tests must meet certain minimum standards set by the government. Providers must also complete a declaration stating that their tests meet these standards. For more information, and to see the standards for testing, read Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing.
UKAS accreditation The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has been working with the government to assure the quality of private COVID-19 test providers. In December 2020 the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) developed a 3-stage UKAS accreditation process. Providers offering sample collection (that is, taking the physical swab) and/or sample testing services are required to apply for accreditation from UKAS and must continue to meet high standards and deadlines. The providers listed on GOV.UK may be at various stages of the accreditation process. They may not have full accreditation. However, they will have shown compliance with the required minimum standards as they progress through the process. Providers may be removed from the lists at any point if they’re found to be not complying with the minimum standards. This includes not meeting accreditation deadlines. To find providers who have achieved full UKAS accreditation, visit the UKAS website – you can search by provider name, or the COVID-19 testing service they offer (sampling, point-of-care testing (POCT) or laboratory-based PCR tests).