A path abounding in challenges

The Technological Laboratory of Uruguay (LATU), is a non-state public law organization created in 1965 to provide services to the production chain.

‍LATU is a national and international reference in innovation, technology transfer and value solutions in analytical services, conformity assessment, metrology and technological services. It promotes the scientific and entrepreneurial culture, as well as the development of technological platforms.

For over 50 years, LATU has supported the development of the country’s production chain and quality certification before the world, through the analytical services provided to the industry and the agro-industrial chains - including dairy and forestry products, textile, cereals, oil seeds and their by- products - collaborating to improve the national manufacture and helping to introduce local production into the most demanding markets.

It offers a wide range of analytical services with tests accredited by the Uruguayan Accreditation Organization (OUA) and by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). Its quality management system based on ISO 9001 is certified by the Swiss Association for Quality and Management (SQS).

The State relies on LATU for the certification of products (from food to toys), for environmental control and to support industrial promotion schemes.

LATU’s analytical capacity enables the Laboratory to provide environmental services to the national industry and to assure the competent public authorities that the appropriate national and/or international standards are being complied with.

Through its Innovation Park, LATU has formed an ecosystem of companies and organizations linked to ICTs, entrepreneurship and knowledge. It has enabled an ideal scenario for the dissemination of knowledge and for the close exchange of views of relevant actors in the field of entrepreneurship at a national level.

LATU is the National Metrology Institute, through this role, it ensures that measurements made in the country are accurate, reliable and comparable both nationally and internationally. It is also responsible for the maintenance, stewardship and dissemination of national measurement standards, as well as for liaising with the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and related bodies.

The Ministry of Industry Energy and Mining (MIEM) delegated on LATU all technical, legal and administrative activities inherent to Legal Metrology; this includes the approval of models and the control of regulated measuring instruments used in the marketing of goods and services, in public health and human safety, as well as in the control of pre-measured products.

LATU supports the development of organizational management and contributes to the progress of production through technology transfer. It offers services to public and private organizations, to promote processes of change that will contribute to and strengthen their competitiveness and sustainability through the improvement of their business management, their processes, the promotion of innovation and their socially responsible management.

Through Latitud, its Foundation for research, development and innovation (R&D&I), LATU plans and executes projects adapted to the needs of the country and the national industries.

The board of directors is chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Industry Energy and Mining (MIEM) and includes one representative from the Uruguayan Chamber of Industries (CIU) and one from the Banco República (BROU).