Historical Background

The Government Chemist Laboratory Authority (GCLA) was established under Government Chemist Laboratory Authority Act No. 8 of 2016. In addition to other functions, the GCLA Act establishes the Authority as the supreme and referral laboratory on all matters related to forensic science and DNA services, product quality and chemicals management. The Government Chemist Laboratory Authority has gone through several transformations from being a Department in the Ministry, an Agency between 1999 - 2017 and an Authority from s" April, 2017 to date. Historically, it started as a Centre for conducting researches in tropical diseases to a National Laboratory in 1895 during German colony. In the early time of its establishment, the Laboratory was within the Chief Secretary office, and there after transferred to the Ministry of Health after the First World War in 1947. The laboratory was then transferred to Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources between 1947 - 1957, and from 1958 to date the laboratory is within the Ministry responsible for Health. The GCLA being an Authority has enhanced smooth operations of its functions, realization of its objectives, and attainment of its vision and hence, complement to the Government efforts in improving the wellbeing of its people and the environment.