Which of the following entities should not own or control an Independent Laboratory?

An Independent Laboratory must operate with impartiality and objectivity to ensure credible and reliable test results. If a supplier of materials were to own or control such a lab, there would be a conflict of interest, as the lab might be incentivized to produce favorable results for the supplier's products over others. This could compromise the integrity of the testing process and ultimately affect safety standards and regulations. The focus should always be on unbiased evaluations of products, and a supplier’s financial stake would undermine this crucial aspect.

In contrast, a research organization, a state authority, and a utility company typically have different motivations and can maintain a level of independence necessary for overseeing an Independent Laboratory's activities. Their involvement generally leans towards enhancing product safety, regulatory compliance, and ensuring public welfare, rather than advancing the interests of specific materials or products. Thus, these entities are more suitable for owning or controlling an Independent Laboratory compared to a supplier of materials.