What Industrial Research Institute Lebanon does

The Industrial Research Institute (IRI) is a Lebanese non-profit institution established in 1953 and declared of public utility, operating under a statutory mandate linked to the Ministry of Industry (Law 642/1997) and designated as the country's exclusive national accreditation and certification body for welding (Law 423, 2002). Its core offering is multi-disciplinary testing, calibration, inspection, and certification services delivered through 15 specialized laboratories and 170 professionals, covering chemical, microbiological, mechanical, electrical, environmental, non-destructive testing, calibration, and system/product/personnel certification against ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 22000, 27001, 50001, and equivalent standards. IRI holds ANAB (USA) accreditation for ISO 17025 (since 2004) and ISO 17020 (since 2017), making it the first accredited body in Lebanon and the first research institute in the Arab world to obtain such recognition, with 350+ accredited methods.

IRI generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service testing and analysis, calibration, certification, and inspection work performed for Lebanese industrialists, importers, exporters, and government entities. Recurring revenue is supported by a low-price annual membership subscription ($100 industrial / $250 non-industrial) and by transaction-based customs file management through its proprietary IRI Bridge online platform and mobile application. Customer segments span cement, plastics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical device, and general manufacturing, with a customer base that includes Holcim Liban, Château Ksara, Benta, Alfa laboratories, and numerous ISO-certified manufacturers, plus government clients including the Ministry of Industry, Association of Lebanese Industrialists, and Federation of Chambers of Commerce. The institute also runs training programs (welding, solar PV, energy management), operates the Lebanese Welding Center, and houses two specialized units: ELCIM (industrial modernization) and CIT (innovation and technology). IRI pursues international partnerships (UNIDO, EUROLAB, AB Certification France, Certivea, LCEC, FREA) and in August 2024 inaugurated new Pharmaceutical Laboratories, signaling continued build-out of its service portfolio.

Name

Industrial Research Institute Lebanon

Legal name

Industrial Research Institute

Website

https://iri.org.lb

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Industrial Research Institute (IRI) is a Lebanese non-profit, founded 1953 and designated by Law as the country's exclusive accreditation and welding certification body, operating 15 accredited labs and 170 professionals delivering testing, calibration, inspection, and certification services to Lebanese industrialists, importers, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Testing and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH), Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) & Advanced NDT (PAUT, TOFD, RT/DR) (EUAEAHAK), Pressure Equipment, Boilers & Heat Exchanger Inspection (EUAEAHAB), Electrical Testing & Certification (Protection Relays, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAEAHAG)

Keywords

• Industrial testing services
• Laboratory calibration services
• ISO certification services
• Welding inspection and certification
• Quality assurance testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Beirut

HQ country

Lebanon

HQ region

Middle East

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services: Fee-for-service testing and analysis across multiple laboratory disciplines including chemical, microbiological, mechanical, electrical, and environmental testing. Services available to both members and non-members with discounts for industrial enterprise members.
2. Calibration Services: Calibration services for masses, balances, thermometers, and thermocouples, provided under ANAB accreditation.
3. Certification Services: System certification (ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 22000, 27001, 50001), product certification, and certification of persons. Collaboration with AB CERTIFICATION France and FREA France.
4. Inspection and Control Services: Inspection services for imported goods, export goods, welded metallic structures, electrical equipment, LPG cylinders, steel bars, and more. Includes both routine and compliance inspections.
5. Membership Subscriptions: Annual subscription model providing access to newsletter, library services, contact assistance, seminar invitations, and discounts on laboratory services. Industrial institutions: $100/year; Non-industrial institutions: $250/year.
6. Customs File Management: Customs file processing services through IRI Bridge platform for importers and clearing agents, including online tracking and payment.
7. Training Programs: Professional training courses including welding certification, solar PV technician training, energy management system training, and other specialized seminars for industrial professionals.
8. Product Certification Marking: Product certification using IRI's own mark and international marks like NF and CSTB for various products including cement, pipes, medical devices, and food products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IRI operates 15 specialized laboratories providing multi-disciplinary industrial testing, calibration, inspection, and certification services to Lebanese industrialists, manufacturers, importers/exporters, and government entities. Services span chemical, microbiological, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and non-destructive testing under ANAB-accredited ISO 17025 and ISO 17020 standards, with over 350 accredited methods. Complementary offerings include welding certification and training through the Lebanese Welding Center (CLS), system/product/personnel certification (ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 22000, 27001, 50001), customs file management via the IRI Bridge digital portal, and professional training programs in energy management and solar PV systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lebanese Welding Center (CLS): The Lebanese Welding Center (CLS) is linked to IRI and was established to bring solutions to welding problems of Lebanese companies through training, research, and inspection services. It was financed under a French-Lebanese protocol and started activities in March 1998.

Products and services

• Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services Comprehensive testing across food, water, cosmetics, electrical appliances, mechanical properties, and other domains delivered through 15 specialized laboratories, available to both members and non-members with member discounts. Targets industrialists, manufacturers, importers, and regulatory bodies needing accredited testing for compliance and quality assurance.
• Calibration Services Accredited calibration of masses, balances, thermometers, thermocouples and related measurement instruments under ANAB ISO 17025 accreditation. Serves manufacturers and laboratories needing certified equipment performance.
• Certification Services (System, Product, and Personnel) System certifications including ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 22000, 27001, 50001, and OHSAS 18001 delivered in collaboration with AB CERTIFICATION France and FREA France; product certification using IRI's own mark plus international marks (NF, CSTB); and certification of persons including IRCA auditors and lead auditors.
• Inspection and Control Services Inspection of imported goods, exported goods, welded metallic structures, electrical equipment, LPG cylinders, steel bars, and steam boilers under ANAB ISO 17020 accreditation. Includes both routine and compliance inspections delivered on customer sites across Lebanon.
• Welding Activities (Lebanese Welding Center - CLS) Specialized welding training, certification, and inspection services delivered through the Lebanese Welding Center's 20 working cabins. Includes theoretical and practical training in SMAW, MIG/MAG, TIG, and Oxy-Acetylene welding processes; IRI is the sole authorized issuer of conformity certificates for all welding types in Lebanon under Law 423 (2002).
• IRI Membership Program Annual subscription providing access to newsletter, library, contact assistance, seminar invitations, and discounted laboratory services. Priced at $100/year for industrial institutions and $250/year for non-industrial institutions.
• Customs File Management (IRI Bridge) Online customs file processing platform serving importers and clearing agents with inspection scheduling, real-time tracking from registration to certificate delivery, and online payment. Accessible through web portal and mobile apps on Google Play and App Store.
• Renewable Energy Laboratory Services Specialized laboratory services for solar PV systems testing and certification in Lebanon, supporting Lebanon's energy sector development. Includes certified training courses for Solar Photovoltaic Technicians in collaboration with LCEC.
• Pharmaceutical Testing Services Pharmaceutical quality testing for both imported and locally produced pharmaceuticals through newly inaugurated pharmaceutical laboratories (August 2024), addressing Lebanon's drug quality assurance needs under high-level governmental support.
• Refrigerants Reclamation Center Refrigerants reclamation service for recovery and recycling of refrigerants, supporting environmental compliance for HVAC and refrigeration industry users in Lebanon.
• Research and Development Services Industrial research and applied science support for Lebanese industrialists and the national economy, addressing technical challenges and supporting Lebanon's integration with the European Community and WTO partnership agreements.

Quantifiable outcome

• First research institute in the Arab world to achieve international accreditation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025Development of relations between IRI and UNIDO. Emmanuel Kalinzi, UNIDO representative in Lebanon, visited IRI to review ongoing cooperation and discuss ways to support IRI in continuing to provide services to the Lebanese industrial sector and modernize Lebanon's primary production sector. IRI Director General Dr. Bassam Frenn provided comprehensive overview of the institute's work across various directorates, research centers, departments, and laboratories.
• LCEC (Lebanon Center for Energy Conservation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025Collaboration for certified training courses for Solar Photovoltaic Technicians. IRI's Renewable Energy Laboratory team, in collaboration with LCEC, conducts training covering solar energy market, legal requirements, welding basics, frame installation, components, applications, design, safety, acceptance tests, monitoring, and maintenance.
• ALMEE ( Lebanese Association for Energy Saving and Environment)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerALMEE organized professional training on photovoltaic systems in collaboration with IRI within the framework of ADEME-ALMEE convention activities. Training included technical parts on components, energetic aspects, and deployment conditions and security for 30 industrialists.
• AB CERTIFICATION FrancecoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration for system certifications including ISO 9001, 14001, 13485, 22000, 27001, 50001, and OHSAS 18001. AB CERTIFICATION France is accredited by COFRAC France, international accreditation body.
• Certivea (HQE Certification)coreTechnology or IntegrationIRI is the official and exclusive Certification Partner of Certivea in the Middle East Region for HQE (Haute Qualité Environnementale) green building certification. CEDRE rating system is also presented by IRI, developed under HQE approach.
• FREA FrancecoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration for IRCA auditors and lead auditor certification, internal auditors certification, and auditor certification for Environmental Management System.
• Association of Lebanese IndustrialistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresentation on IRI Board of Directors. President Selim Zeenni serves as board member. Represents the interests of Lebanese industrialists in IRI governance.
• Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and AgriculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepresentation on IRI Board of Directors. Former Minister Mohammad Choucair serves as board representative. Key stakeholder in IRI governance structure.
• Ministry of IndustrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLinked to Ministry of Industry by Law 642/1997. Minister Joe Issa-El-Khoury chairs Board of Directors meetings. IRI provides technical and scientific support to the ministry and national economy, especially in framework of partnership agreements with European Community and Lebanon's integration in WTO.
• ELCIM (Euro-Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernisation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized center operating under IRI providing industrial modernization services. Mr. Naji Abi Zeid serves as Director of ELCIM and CIT.
• CIT (Centre for Innovation and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized center operating under IRI focused on innovation and technology support for Lebanese industry.
• EUROLAB (European Federation of National Associations of Measurement, Testing and Analytical Laboratories)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRI, represented by Dr. Joseph Matta (Applied Research and Testing Director), actively participates in EUROLAB General Assemblies. Through this involvement, Lebanon has established a scientific presence on the international stage in measurement, testing, and analytical laboratories.
• ADEME-ALMEE ConventionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvention framework supporting professional training activities on energy management systems and photovoltaic systems for Lebanese industrialists.
• Association of Bekaa IndustrialistsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident Nicolas Abou Fayssal visited IRI to discuss cooperation opportunities and ways to benefit from the institute's capabilities and resources for Bekaa region industrialists.
• National Institute of Vine and WineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on The First Lebanese Wine Science Colloquium organized by the National Institute of Vine and Wine in collaboration with IRI, focusing on wine-related activities, wine production under current climatic conditions, and innovative techniques.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGS: Global leader in testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) with a full multi-disciplinary service portfolio covering industrial, consumer, and commodities testing. Directly comparable to IRI's broad lab scope, but operates worldwide at vastly greater scale and competes in Lebanon for enterprise and government contracts.
• ALS Limited: Australia-based global testing services provider with strong environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial testing capabilities. Comparable to IRI's chemical, microbiological, and environmental laboratory work and could serve as a benchmark for laboratory productivity and revenue per test.
• Bureau Veritas: France-headquartered global TIC major offering testing, inspection, and certification across industrial, marine, and government sectors. Comparable to IRI's multi-disciplinary testing and certification model, with established Middle East operations that could directly contest IRI's domestic position.
• Eurofins Scientific: International group of life-sciences testing laboratories with strong food, pharmaceutical, environmental, and microbiological testing capabilities. Closely comparable to IRI's chemical, microbiological, and pharmaceutical laboratory offerings, and a potential acquirer/competitor for the newly launched pharmaceutical lab.
• TÜV Rheinland: Global TIC organization headquartered in Germany offering industrial testing, product certification, and system audits (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001, etc.). Directly comparable to IRI's system certification portfolio and ANAB-style accredited testing, with regional MENA offices.
• TÜV SÜD: German testing, inspection, and certification organization with strong industrial and energy-sector credentials. Comparable to IRI's ISO system certification and pressure-equipment/boiler inspection work; active in MENA energy transition projects.
• Intertek: UK-based global TIC provider spanning product testing, calibration, inspection, and certification across industrial and consumer verticals. Closely comparable service mix to IRI (including electrical and NDT) with deep Middle East presence and the capital to undercut IRI on enterprise deals.

Regional players

• Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO): Jordan's national standards, metrology, and conformity assessment body. Closely comparable to IRI as a neighboring national TIC body offering testing, calibration, and certification services to local industry; potential regional partner or competitor in the Levant.
• Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO): Saudi Arabia's national standards, metrology, and quality body, performing a near-identical mandate to IRI (testing, calibration, inspection, product/system certification) at national level. The closest regional structural peer — same regulatory body role, but operating in the larger Saudi market.
• Egyptian Organization for Standardization (EOS): Egypt's national standardization body responsible for standards development, testing, and conformity assessment. Analogous in role and mandate to IRI Lebanon, serving a similarly large national industrial base; useful comparable for regional TIC peer benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Industrial Research Institute Lebanon