What is an independent laboratory and why would its results be considered more reliable than the results from a laboratory paid by a company selling a particular product?

Question

anonymous · Answer

An independent laboratory is one that is not funded (monetarily or otherwise) by private organisations that may influence its outcomes.

EX.
If the lab that is testing your tap water is funded by the water board, the testing methods they may use might be biased towards providing positive results. Hence the lab is not independent.

An independent test lab would not have an interest in the results either way. Hence their results would be considered (rightly or wrongly) with more weight.