About us

Quality Department

The Quality Assurance, Environmental Protection, Health and Safety Department ensures the functioning of the EKUK management system in accordance with the requirements of the standards EVS-EN ISO/IEC 17025 and EVS-EN ISO/IEC 17043. EKUK laboratories have implemented test methods based mainly on international standards.

The reliability of analysis results is ensured by continuous internal control and participation in international proficiency tests.

As a reference laboratory in the field of surface, ground, sea, wastewater and effluent water, and sewage sludge, proficiency tests are organized for other laboratories to ensure the high-quality work of the laboratories and the reliability of the analyses.

The Quality Assurance, Environmental Protection, Health and Safety Department organizes training for water samplers, coordinating the study programs with the Water Sampler Certification Committee established at the Ministry of the Environment.

Department of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry

The Department of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry determines water and air quality indicators. It also assesses environmental damage, such as determining the concentration of pollutants in water and soil and studies of pollution caused by environmental accidents.

To assess the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants, we conduct studies of activated sludge communities.
The field work group in the department conducts wastewater and surface water studies (including sampling and flow measurement).

If necessary, our laboratories also implement new analysis methods and regularly participate in national and international comparison tests. All environmental chemistry analyses are carried out using modern equipment and accredited methods. Analytical test methods are accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre. More about EKUK accreditations »

Fuel Quality and Customs Services Department

The Fuel Quality and Customs Services Department deals with fuel analyses, conducts annual national fuel monitoring and performs the functions of the customs laboratory of the Republic of Estonia based on an agreement concluded with the Tax and Customs Board.

Geotechnical Department

The Geotechnical Department determines the geotechnical properties of soil for construction geologist, geotechnician, designer and builder.

Air Quality and Climate Department

An important task of the Air Quality and Climate Department is the development and maintenance of the Estonian Air Quality Management System. The system integrates continuous ambient air measurements (national monitoring and self-monitoring by companies) from Estonia, air pollution modelling, air pollution index calculation and other air data. The ambient air measurement results are visible in real time in the Estonian Air Quality Management System web application.

The Climate Unit is responsible for organizing the compilation of greenhouse gas (hereinafter GHG) emissions inventories, GHG emission forecasts and policies and measures, as well as other GHG emissions and climate change reports in Estonia, and for the timely submission of reports to the European Commission and the UN Climate Change Secretariat.

Tartu Department

The Tartu Department deals with chemical analysis of soil and plant material, precipitation chemistry and hydrobiological studies. In addition, a very wide range of environmental chemistry services are provided.

The laboratory also implements new analysis methods and participates in national and international proficiency tests.

The laboratory’s analytical test methods are accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre. Check out the accreditations and certificates of the Estonian Institute of Environmental Chemistry.

Contact details of the Tartu Department.

Virumaa Department

The laboratories of the Virumaa Department in Jõhvi and Kohtla-Järve conduct water, air, air emissions and soil research and determine various working environment parameters.

The analyses control the level of contamination in accordance with the limit values ​​set out in Estonian laws and international requirements.

We also implement new analysis methods and participate in national and international proficiency tests. The laboratory’s analytical test methods are accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre. Check out the accreditations and certificates of the Estonian Environmental Protection Agency.

Contact details of the Virumaa Department.

Pärnu Department

The scope of activities of the Pärnu Department includes conducting national wastewater and surface water monitoring in counties, conducting surface, ground, drinking and wastewater analyses commissioned by companies and institutions, and taking water samples at various sites.

Over 20 physicochemical indicators are determined in water: general physical properties (colour, odour, etc.), turbidity, suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, nitrogen compounds, phosphorus compounds, fluorides, petroleum products, chlorides, sulphur compounds, etc.

The aim of the analyses is to check the level of pollution in accordance with the limit values ​​set out in Estonian legislation and international requirements. The analyses are carried out using modern equipment and accredited methods.

The introduction of new analysis methods is also carried out and regular participation is made in national and international comparison tests for all types of water. The Pärnu Department is accredited in the field of environmental chemical analysis by the Estonian Accreditation Centre.

Contact details of the Pärnu Department.