FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Everything you need to know about SELA
Whether you are a contractor, engineer, project manager, or donor project implementer, here are answers to the questions we hear most often about SELA and our testing services.
About SELA
What is SELA?
Standard Engineering Laboratory Africa (SELA) is Liberia’s first planned ISO/IEC 17025-accredited civil engineering materials testing laboratory. We provide comprehensive testing services across geotechnical, concrete, steel, asphalt, and environmental disciplines from a single, purpose-built facility in Marshall City, Margibi County.
Is SELA accredited?
SELA is currently in its pre-launch phase, building toward ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation. The laboratory is being designed and equipped to meet the standard’s requirements from day one, and accreditation is targeted within 12–18 months of commissioning. All testing methods are aligned with ASTM, AASHTO, BS EN and ISO standards.
Where is SELA located?
SELA’s laboratory complex is on a 12-acre site in Cartersville, Marshall City, on the Marshall Highway in Margibi County. The site is accessible from Monrovia and connected to construction corridors across the country.
Testing Services
What types of testing does SELA offer?
SELA covers five core disciplines: Geotechnical & Soil Investigation (boreholes, SPT, soil classification, Proctor, CBR, shear strength, consolidation), Building Materials Testing (concrete mix design, cube tests, cement, rebar tensile and bend, masonry, NDT), Transport & Pavement (aggregates, bitumen, Marshall mix design, asphalt cores, pavement layer design), and Environmental, GIS & Urban Resilience (water, soil and air quality, noise, drone mapping, flood and erosion risk — Phase 2).
What testing standards does SELA follow?
All testing is conducted to internationally recognised methods including ASTM International, AASHTO, British Standards (BS EN), and ISO standards. Every test report includes full method references and is produced with traceable, FIDIC-ready documentation.
How long does testing take?
SELA targets 5–7 business days for standard test results and 24–48 hours for express service on critical path items. This compares to 2–6 weeks for overseas testing, which is currently the only option for accredited results in Liberia.
How do I submit samples?
Samples can be delivered directly to our Marshall City laboratory via our dedicated loading bay, or SELA’s field crew can collect samples on site for geotechnical investigations. Contact us to discuss your project’s requirements and we will advise on the best approach for sample collection and submission.
Working with SELA
Can SELA support donor-funded projects?
Yes. SELA is specifically designed to meet the accredited testing requirements of the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), European Union, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and other multilateral development partners. Our quality management system, documentation, and reporting are aligned with donor compliance standards.
Does SELA offer on-site or mobile testing?
SELA’s field investigation crew conducts on-site geotechnical work including boreholes, Standard Penetration Tests (SPT), field density tests, and GPR scans. Mobile testing units for broader on-site services are planned for Phase 2 deployment.
How does SELA ensure impartiality?
Impartiality is built into SELA’s organisational structure. The Quality Manager operates independently of the testing divisions, as required by ISO/IEC 17025. A result says what the sample says — no client, payment, or pressure changes it. This structural independence is what makes SELA’s results trusted and defensible.
Does SELA serve clients outside Liberia?
SELA’s regional strategy includes serving contractors, consultants and project developers operating across the Mano River Union — Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire — where comparable laboratory capacity gaps exist. As we scale, satellite points in Buchanan and Ganta and cross-border services will extend our reach.
Still have questions?
Get in touch with our team — we are happy to discuss your project’s testing requirements and how SELA can support it.