Ordering a DNA test is a decision that deserves careful attention. Whether you need results for an immigration application, a legal matter, or a personal question, the laboratory you choose determines whether your results will be accepted by the people who matter most: the court, the government office, or the family seeking answers. In Canada, accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is one of the most important credentials a DNA testing laboratory can hold. Before you order, take a few minutes to verify that your chosen lab actually holds SCC accreditation in the field of DNA relationship testing.
Accreditation is different from a certification sticker or a claim on a company website. Accreditation involves a structured, third-party assessment of a laboratory’s systems and methods. Accreditation from the SCC is designed to ensure that testing laboratories provide reliable, third-party verified results, which in turn enhances their credibility in the industry. For a customer, that means an accredited laboratory has been examined by an outside body instead of simply vouching for itself.
This article covers what SCC accreditation means, why it matters for different types of DNA testing, and the practical steps you can take to confirm a laboratory’s status before you pay for a test.
What Is SCC Accreditation in DNA Testing?
The Standards Council of Canada operates accreditation programs for testing and calibration laboratories. One of those programs covers DNA relationship testing, which includes the kinds of tests Canadians most often order: paternity tests, maternity tests, and tests that establish other family relationships.
When a laboratory is accredited under this program, it has demonstrated that its technical methods, quality management practices, and reporting processes meet SCC requirements. The SCC has also published guidance for the sector, including “SCC Requirements and Guidance for Method Verification and Validation in Testing Laboratories.” That document supports the technical rigour behind the accreditation and reflects the SCC’s focus on consistent, reliable results.
Why SCC Accreditation Matters Before You Order
The reason Canadian customers should verify SCC accreditation is straightforward: several major purposes for DNA testing require it. If you order from a laboratory that is not properly accredited, your results may be unusable for the purpose you had in mind.
Immigration and Citizenship Applications
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) only accepts DNA test results from laboratories accredited by the SCC. This is not a preference or a recommendation. IRCC policy directs applicants to SCC-accredited facilities, and the SCC publishes a list of laboratories that meet the standard. The publication, titled “SCC-accredited DNA relationship testing laboratories,” is the reference document used to identify testing laboratories whose results IRCC accepts as proof of relationship for immigration and citizenship purposes.
The list is updated from time to time. A version of the publication is dated May 1, 2024, which reflects the SCC’s ongoing effort to keep its records current. If you are supporting a family sponsorship application or another immigration process, a result from an unaccredited lab could delay your file or be rejected entirely.
Legal and Court Proceedings
For legal DNA testing, courts expect results that can be traced and defended. This is where chain of custody becomes essential. A legal DNA test uses a process that documents every step from sample collection to laboratory analysis, so that the result can be presented as credible evidence. SCC accreditation supports this by holding laboratories to rigorous quality standards.
Some Canadian laboratories are also recognized under the SCC’s forensic-speciality standard. The DNALAB, for example, became the first private laboratory in Canada to be accredited to that standard in January 2018. Laboratories with forensic accreditation are positioned to serve private clients along with police agencies, lawyers, and investigators who require a high level of confidence in their results.
How to Verify SCC Accreditation: Step-by-Step
Verifying a laboratory’s SCC accreditation takes only a few minutes when you know where to look. The steps below will help you confirm that the laboratory you are considering is properly accredited in the right field.
Step 1: Start at the SCC Website
The Standards Council of Canada publishes its accreditation documents at scc-ccn.ca. This is the authoritative source for accreditation information, not the laboratory’s own marketing materials. On the SCC website, look for the section covering accreditation programs for testing and calibration laboratories, then locate the DNA relationship testing program.
Step 2: Find the List of Accredited Laboratories
The SCC maintains a publication called “SCC-accredited DNA relationship testing laboratories.” Open this document and search for the laboratory’s name. Laboratories that appear in this list are recognized as SCC-accredited for DNA relationship testing. If the laboratory does not appear, assume it is not accredited unless you confirm otherwise through the SCC directly.
Step 3: Verify the Scope of Accreditation
Accreditation is field-specific. A laboratory can be accredited for one type of activity and not for another. For immigration purposes, the laboratory must be accredited for DNA relationship testing. For forensic or legal work, check whether the lab’s accreditation covers the relevant testing area. The SCC’s accreditation program for testing and calibration laboratories includes a field of DNA relationship testing, and the published list reflects exactly that scope.
Step 4: Check the Date of the List
The SCC updates its accreditation list as laboratories join or leave the program. Always use the most recent version of the document available on the SCC website. The version dated May 1, 2024, is a current reference point, but look for any newer edition before making a final decision.
Step 5: Contact the SCC If You Have Questions
The SCC publishes bulletins for laboratories participating in its programs. A bulletin dated October 28, 2020, covers DNA testing laboratories and sample collection sites in the DNA relationship testing program, and it lists Abdel Kassou, Manager, as the contact for questions. If you cannot resolve a question through the website, contact the SCC accreditation program and ask for confirmation about a laboratory’s status.
Step 6: Ask the Laboratory Directly
A reputable laboratory will not hesitate to discuss its accreditation. Ask which SCC program covers your test, request the laboratory’s exact scope, and confirm that the lab appears on the current SCC list. If you plan to use your results for immigration, ask whether the laboratory is SCC-accredited for DNA relationship testing specifically. You can also ask how sample collection is handled, since the SCC has published requirements for sample collection sites participating in the DNA relationship testing program.
Related Accreditations That Offer Extra Reassurance
SCC accreditation is the key requirement for immigration-related DNA testing in Canada, but other credentials can reinforce your confidence in a laboratory.
The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) operates its own accreditation program for parentage testing laboratories. If a lab holds AABB accreditation, you can verify its status at www.aabb.org. Some Canadian laboratories hold both SCC and AABB accreditation, and cross-checking both gives you a fuller picture of the lab’s quality systems.
In the forensic field, some laboratories work with partner facilities that hold international credentials. A partner forensic services laboratory may, for example, hold the ASCLD/LAB-International Certificate of Accreditation for DNA-Nuclear and Body Fluid Identification testing. If a laboratory relies on an accredited partner for part of its work, ask for the partner’s name and verify that credential through the issuing body.
Signs That a Laboratory May Not Be Accredited
Most Canadian DNA testing providers are honest about their status, but not all details are easy to find. Watch for these warning signs before you order.
- The lab’s name does not appear on the SCC’s list of accredited DNA relationship testing laboratories.
- The lab says its results are accepted for immigration but does not hold SCC accreditation in the DNA relationship testing field.
- The lab cannot explain which accreditation covers the specific test you are ordering.
- The lab displays an accreditation logo but does not link to the SCC record or explain the scope of its accreditation.
- For legal testing, the lab does not describe its chain of custody process or explain how samples will be documented.
Most accredited laboratories make verification easy. A clear answer about accreditation, a pointer to the SCC list, and a straightforward explanation of how your sample will be handled are all positive signs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers below address the questions Canadians most often ask when verifying a laboratory’s SCC accreditation before ordering a DNA test.
Does IRCC accept DNA test results from any accredited laboratory?
No. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada only accepts DNA test results from laboratories accredited by the SCC for DNA relationship testing. The SCC publishes a list of these laboratories, and IRCC directs applicants to facilities that appear on it. If you are completing an immigration application, confirm that your laboratory is on the SCC list before you schedule sample collection.
Where can I find the current list of SCC-accredited DNA relationship testing laboratories?
The Standards Council of Canada publishes a document called “SCC-accredited DNA relationship testing laboratories” on its website at scc-ccn.ca. A version of the publication is dated May 1, 2024. Check the SCC website directly for the most recent edition, since the list can change as laboratories are added to or removed from the program.
Are at-home DNA tests covered by SCC accreditation?
SCC accreditation applies to the laboratory performing the analysis rather than to the packaging of the test. A laboratory that provides at-home sample collection can still hold SCC accreditation for DNA relationship testing. If you may want to use your results for immigration or legal purposes later, confirm that the laboratory holds the correct accreditation and that its collection process follows the required protocols before you order.
What other accreditations should a Canadian DNA laboratory hold?
Some laboratories hold additional credentials beyond SCC accreditation. The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) accredits parentage testing laboratories, and you can verify current AABB-accredited labs at www.aabb.org. Laboratories involved in forensic work may also partner with facilities holding ASCLD/LAB-International accreditation. These credentials add confidence, but for Canadian immigration purposes, SCC accreditation in DNA relationship testing is the specific requirement.