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A laboratory's certification to ISO 9001 alone does not demonstrate the competence of the lab to produce technically valid data and results to the same level as an ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. Our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation assures our clients precise, accurate and repeatable results, encompassing both our on-site and regional service center laboratories.
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What is ISO/IEC 17025?
ISO/IEC 17025 establishes a global standard for instrument calibration and testing. It specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and/or calibrations. Laboratories use ISO/IEC 17025 to implement a quality system aimed at improving their ability to consistently produce valid results and is applicable to all laboratories regardless of the number of personnel or the extent of the scope of testing and/or calibration activities.
Basic to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard is the requirement for continual improvement. Regularly scheduled internal audits identify opportunities to make testing or calibrating improvements. Laboratories are also expected to remain up-to-date on scientific and technological advances in relevant areas.
In common with other accreditation standards of the ISO 17000 series (and unlike most ISO standards for management systems), assessment of the laboratory is normally carried out by the national organization responsible for accreditation. Laboratories are therefore "accredited" under ISO/IEC 17025, rather than "certified" or "registered" by a third party service as is the case with ISO 9000 quality standard.
In short, accreditation differs from certification by adding the concept of a third party (Accreditation Body) attesting to technical competence within a laboratory in addition to its adherence and operation under a documented quality system, specific to a Scope of Accreditation.
ISO/IEC 17025 Lab Accreditation vs. ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Calibration
Calibration laboratories that are accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard are regularly audited by independent accrediting bodies such as A2LA to test the laboratory’s technical competence and that they follow a proven quality management system. They are guided by quality and integrity in all aspects of their job performance. Each lab is maintains a scope of accreditation that lists all of the types of equipment for which the lab's testing processes meet the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
Calibration labs that describe themselves as ISO/IEC 17025 compliant may be able to calibrate equipment according to the testing standards outlined in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, but their processes have not been independently verified by an accrediting body.
ISO/IEC Accredited Calibration refers to a calibration that is performed in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 specifications within our approved scope of accreditation. Accredited calibrations provide a certificate of calibration with the accrediting body's logo on the document. The calibration date is on the certificate and the calibration due date is only placed on the document when specified by the customer or contractually agreed. A traceability statement is provided. Measurement data and uncertainty for each parameter tested during the calibration is provided.
ISO/IEC 17025 Compliance
Laboratories compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 guidelines may be accredited by an internationally recognized external body. This accreditation recognizes capability and competence of a laboratory to perform specific tests and calibrations. There are numerous accreditation bodies serving different regions around the world. A few of the accreditation bodies include:
- A2LA
- China National Accreditation Service (CNAS)
- Dutch Accreditation Council (RVA)
- German Accreditation Service GmbH (DAKKS)
- National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)
- The National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)
- Standards Council of Canada (SCC)
The first step for a laboratory to become accredited is to create and implement a documented quality management system. The quality manual documents the system and normally follows the structure of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. A rigid on-site assessment process includes staff interviews, demonstration of selected calibration or tests, evaluation of compliance and examination of lab equipment and calibration records. Upon approval, a scope of accreditation is issued.
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- Calibration services for equipment from 9,000-plus manufacturers—far more than just Tektronix!
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- Superior quality—181 ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation parameters.
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