The ISO 17025 standard is the main standard used by test and calibration laboratories. Although it has many similarities with the ISO 9000 (9001,9002) standard, the ISO 17025 standard adds the concept of competence to the equation and test results. applies the concept to organizations that produce calibration results. Laboratories comply with the ISO 17025 standard for valid results. consistently They use it as a quality system used to improve their production skills. A prerequisite for any laboratory to be accredited is a documented quality management system. regular internal audits, can be seen as an opportunity to improve testing and calibrations.
The ISO 17025 standard consists of 2 main parts: Management Requirements and Technical Requirements. While management requirements establish requirements for the effectiveness and operation of the quality management system within the laboratory, technical requirements refer to the adequacy of personnel, method, test/calibration equipment and test methods. The biggest feature that distinguishes this standard from ISO 9001 is the complete approval of the validity of the test methods and proof of competence.
The “Technical requirements” section consists of 10 sections that define the requirements for the factors affecting the accuracy and reliability of the calibration and testing services provided:
general
Employee; One of the most important requirements of the standard is to record and authorize by evaluating the knowledge and skills, educational status and training needs of the personnel who use devices for calibration and testing services, make measurements, calculate uncertainties, prepare reports and interpret measurement results when necessary.
Settlement and environmental conditions; Documenting the technical conditions related to the settlement and environmental conditions that may affect the calibration results for the indoor and outdoor spaces where the laboratory serves, monitoring-controlling the environmental conditions affecting the calibration or the experiment and keeping the records, stopping the calibration/experiment in case the measurements are adversely affected due to environmental effects. are the requirements considered in this section.
Test and calibration methods and method validation; The laboratory operates within the scope of accreditation; Sampling, handling, transportation, storage, preparation of materials to be tested/calibrated, analysis of test/calibration data where appropriate, appropriate methods and instructions, including measurement uncertainty budget. The methods and instructions applied should be such that they meet the needs of the customer.
Devices
Traceability of measurements
Sampling
Procedures applied to test samples and devices coming for calibration
Assurance of the quality of test and calibration results
Reporting the results