LCAS.info Laboratory Cost Assessment Standard
For Clients

LCAS™ for Clients

Understand what you pay for — compare lab quotes with confidence

How LCAS™ Works for You

1

Lab Calculates BC

The laboratory calculates the Base Cost: Labor + Materials + Equipment + Overhead for your specific test.

2

CF Applied

A Complexity Factor (CF) is applied based on 5 objective domains: Time, Equipment, Expertise, Sample, and Risk.

3

Transparent Final Price

You receive a quotation showing FP = BC × CF with full breakdown — so you know exactly what you're paying for.

Benefits for You

Compare Quotes Apple-to-Apple

When labs use LCAS™, their quotations follow the same format — making direct price comparison straightforward.

Negotiate with Confidence

Understand which cost drivers affect your price (sample complexity, rare equipment, specialized expertise) and discuss them meaningfully.

Know What You're Paying For

No more opaque "testing fee" — you see the breakdown of every cost component in your quotation.

Build Better Lab Relationships

Transparent pricing builds trust and long-term partnerships with your testing laboratory.

Estimate Your Testing Cost

Use our free client estimator to get a ballpark price for your product testing.

Try Client Estimator

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LCAS™ mandatory?

No. LCAS™ is a voluntary standard. However, laboratories that adopt it signal commitment to pricing transparency, which benefits both parties.

Can I request an LCAS™ quotation from any lab?

You can ask any laboratory to provide a quotation in LCAS™ format. Certified laboratories are obliged to do so.

What does BC × CF mean in my quotation?

BC (Base Cost) is the sum of labor, materials, equipment, and overhead. CF (Complexity Factor) adjusts for test difficulty. FP = BC × CF is your final price before VAT.

How do I find LCAS™ certified labs?

The LCAS™ public registry lists all laboratories that have been independently verified for LCAS™ compliance.

View Certified Lab Registry