AN ASHFORD medical equipment company has been given a clean bill of health by American watchdogs.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out a five-day check at Integrated Technologies Limited (ITL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of diagnostic, analytical and laboratory equipment.

The FDA sets and monitors stringent quality system and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards for all medical devices designed or made for the US market.

The products must be designed and made only by companies meeting FDA and GMP conditions.

The inspection covers all aspects of the business from initial customer contact to research and development and manufacture.

Amir Modjarrad, ITL managing director, said the firm had come through the inspection, only the second in 19 years, with flying colours.

ITL, based in Viking House, Ellingham Way, Ashford, was only given five weeks' notice and had naturally been apprehensive.

But he was delighted with the outcome, saying the inspector had told him the company should be proud of its systems, people, ethics and operations.

"This was a magnificent team effort by every employee of the company contributing towards our success," he said.

He added: "With currently more than 50 per cent of ITL's output going to the USA and with several new products in the R&D pipeline which are also destined for the US market. the successful outcome of this FDA inspection was crucial to our own as well as our clients' future. This success has underpinned our future."