The importance of choosing an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab

Calibration laboratories are dedicated facilities that provide mechanical and electrical testing for a range of equipment. They are specialised environments with highly trained personnel to handle, test and process sensitive equipment at a competent level for precision applications.

To ensure the highest level of competence and quality in calibration for businesses, laboratories can become accredited by following the guidelines of ISO/IEC 17025; ‘General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.’

But what exactly is ISO/IEC 17025, how do laboratories achieve accreditation, and why is it important for businesses to choose these laboratories for their testing equipment?

What is ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?

ISO/IEC 17025 is an accreditation given to calibration laboratories that demonstrate competence at each stage of their process, management and structure. These laboratories are recognised by accreditors to not only provide accurate calibration services, but perform it in a way that takes all factors into account with thorough documentation and professional care.

In comparison, ISO 9001 certification demonstrates that a calibration laboratory meets the expected level of quality management in industries like aerospace, defence, medical and automotive. ISO 17025 is an accreditation, which means these laboratories go beyond the required level of quality and show the technical competence to consistently deliver reliable calibration results. In order to ensure this level of quality, only dedicated bodies can provide accreditation; such as UKAS in the UK.

What are the main requirements for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?

The requirements that outline the competence of calibration laboratories within ISO/IEC 17025 are broad, covering almost every aspect from structure to management. In terms of the process of calibration specifically, the two sections of resource and process provide a clear view of ISO’s perspective on competence:

Resource

Personnel - All laboratory personnel must demonstrate impartiality, have competence training, and have documentation/records to authorise their role in the calibration process.
Facilities - Facilities and conditions cannot adversely affect calibration results, which is supported by sufficient monitoring and control procedures to ensure they do not.
Equipment - The laboratory must have access to all the equipment required to perform calibration, have procedures/monitoring for the handling of said equipment, and perform regular calibration and checks when necessary (with records).
Metrological traceability - Provide complete documentation of an unbroken chain of calibrations, with each contributing to measurement uncertainty. These are a sum of the uncertain factors that prevent perfectly accurate calibration.

Process

Measurement uncertainty - Appropriate methods, procedures and documentation for all activities must be used throughout the calibration process. Where appropriate, there needs to be thorough and documented evaluation of measurement uncertainty.
Updated process - Methods, procedures and materials need to be up-to-date with current standards and readily available to personnel.
Handling of equipment - Laboratories need a thorough and documented process that records the transportation, receipt, handling, protection, storage, retention, and disposal or return of test/calibration equipment.
Reporting - Customers must be provided with reports that are accurate, clear and objective, providing them with all the required documentation between receiving the equipment and returning it after calibration.

What are the benefits of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?

Reliability and confidence

For a range of businesses and industries, the reliability of calibration is a vital component to operations; especially where fine margins are safety or mission-critical. Not only can equipment become damaged or faulty if measurements are incorrect, but manufacturing costs can increase as a result. Because of this, businesses seek a reliable standard of calibration that they can rely upon.

ISO/IEC 17025 represents the gold-standard of calibration. Accredited laboratories are proven to have competent equipment, staff, and processes to regularly provide accurate calibration services. Moreover, they demonstrate full traceability, documentation and compliance so that auditors can have a full audit trail of the process and businesses can have confidence in tested equipment.

Precision

Major engineering industries such as aerospace and defence perform on the precipice of precision, where the slightest deviation can result in catastrophic failure. Because of this, accurate and precise calibration is paramount to ensuring these engineers can continue pushing the boundaries of mechanical and technical designs.

ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories provide major engineering industries with the precision required to reliably optimise their designs and ensure they function optimally. As factors such as measurement uncertainty are calculated and documented throughout the process, engineers can have confidence in extremely accurate measurements with additional documentation when required.

Receive the gold-standard of calibration with DM Systems & Test

No matter your business or industry, it is clear that laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation are invaluable for your calibration services. You can be confident in the lab’s ability to deliver the required service with complete competence and transparency. And the best part, you can have a reliable calibration source for all your future projects and equipment checks. At DM Systems & Test, we have full UKAS accreditation to provide you with exactly that.

We have UK-based laboratories that are compliant with all the competence and accuracy requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. We provide all-in-one services for a wide range of mechanical and electrical testing equipment, all sharing the same level of quality, accuracy and care. Better yet, we pride ourselves in testing a wide range of equipment in a timely manner, as well as offering a mobile calibration service if you are too far away from a lab.

Find out more about how DM can take care of your calibration needs by contacting us today.