LGC Standards has opened its first office in Beijing, China, a milestone in the company's international development. The new office will enable the company to bring its range of laboratory quality products and services to the Chinese market and offer logistical and technical advice to Chinese laboratories in their local language.

"Our Chinese team will focus on supplying laboratories in the pharmaceutical, environmental, food, industrial and forensic sectors with reference materials and proficiency testing schemes to support laboratory quality" said Dr Matthias Brommer, director of LGC Standards.

In welcoming LGC China to the group, David Richardson, chief executive of LGC, added "I am very pleased that LGC is undertaking its first investment in China, representing an important milestone in its strategy of continued growth in international markets. Our new office provides an excellent opportunity for LGC to serve the Chinese scientific community and gives us a base from which to partner with local businesses on future projects."

More information on LGC is available on-line at www.lgc.co.uk