Laboratory sustainability assessment tool: user manual

Overview

This manual provides practical guidance for assessing and improving the sustainability of laboratory services. It describes a structured approach to evaluating key domains – resources, obligations and networks, service quality, and capacity expansion – using 29 indicators scored from 1 to 4. The resulting sustainability scores help laboratories and stakeholders identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement. The methodology supports evidence-based planning and monitoring of progress over time. A web annex containing an Excel-based tool is available to facilitate data collection, scoring, and analysis, ensuring consistent and comparable assessments across laboratories.