Biological Resource Centre

The SmArtCol biological resource centre is ISO 9001 certified.

The CBGP’s scientific collections represent a unique heritage in terms of their scale, scientific value and agronomic significance. These consist of arthropod specimens focused on species of interest in terms of crop protection and biodiversity, as well as collections of specimens (skulls, skins) of small mammals. To ensure their long-term preservation and availability in the best possible condition, their management follows a quality approach compliant with the ISO 9001 standard.

Objectives of the quality process

• Ensuring the traceability of specimens, from collection through to their release for research.
• Guaranteing the reliability and integrity of the associated data, particularly for reference specimens (types, genetic vouchers).
• Maintaining optimal storage conditions to ensure long-term usability, including for molecular analyses.
• Meeting users’ needs in terms of access, response times and the quality of the service provided.
• Continuously improving practices through documented procedures that are regularly reviewed.

Implementation

• Development and implementation of standard operating procedures for the receipt, processing, identification and storage of specimens.
• Regular checks on the condition of the collection (in a climate-controlled room) and the quality of the data.
• Ongoing staff training in best practices for collection management and security.
• Monitoring of quality indicators (requests processed, response times, user satisfaction).
• Internal audits and risk assessments to anticipate and rectify any non-compliance.

The added value of certification

The integration of the ISO 9001 standard into the CBGP’s collection management ensures:

• National and international recognition from the scientific community.
• Greater visibility of the collections as a reference resource.
• A commitment to transparency and continuous improvement to promote this heritage.

Access and availability

• Handling requests for on-site consultation and loans.
• Monitoring of processing times and tracking of movements.
• Transparent communication with users: please refer to the commitment charter for further details.

Public Database of Continental Arthropods: https://coarcoldb.cbgp.inrae.fr/
Public database of small mammals: https://infotron.ird.fr/bpm-cbgp/