What is DEF STAN 05-55? Calibration for the defence industry

Defence engineering often operates on the precipice of precision to continuously improve, create unrivalled capability and innovate at the cutting edge. In order to safely and sufficiently pursue this practice, measuring equipment requires precise and regular calibration to ensure accuracy and quality. 

DEF STAN 05-55 is a defence-specific calibration standard of the UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) that applies to national and international sellers to the MoD. It holds a particular focus on the thorough documentation of calibration to ensure the reliability of equipment and reinforce the safety of servicemen and women. 

What is DEF STAN 05-55?

DEF STAN is a series of standards created by the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to ensure the quality, reliability and interoperability of military engineering, both nationally and internationally. DEF STAN 05-55 in particular covers the calibration standards of test and measurement equipment (TME), as well as those for calibration laboratories. It is based on the requirements of ISO 9001 and ISO 10012, and involves a thorough management process to ensure the quality of calibration.

DEF STAN 05-55 applies to any MOD contract that covers the calibration of TME items and calibration laboratories. This includes contractors that are involved with calibration, repair and re-calibration. Moreover, it applies to both situations where a TME is sent to a contractor, or a contractor is required to travel to the TME to conduct the work. To ensure compliance with DEF STAN 05-55, a commanding officer will assign a Qualified Person (QP) to either carry out or supervise the testing of equipment. 

What are the requirements of DEF STAN 05-55?

• Timelines & records - Throughout the calibration process, a thorough timeline of supporting documentation needs to be maintained for all the work performed. This includes recordings, dates and times of when the equipment was received, when it was calibrated, the due date of its next calibration, and the certification it has received. From this, an extensive number of reliable calibration documents displaying conformance to DEF STAN 05-55 will be available for commanding officers to review if requested. 
• Traceability - As DEF STAN 05-55 is in accordance with the internationally recognized standards of ISO 9001 and ISO 10012, all contracts must have traceable calibration to these requirements. This must be supported by relevant documentation and certificates both before and after calibration is complete, displaying dates, accuracy and conditions of testing.
• Applicable equipment - All standard and measuring equipment used in a laboratory must be calibrated at regular intervals based on their purpose and usage. For calibration that requires a contractor to perform on-site, sufficient analysis on the calibration periodicity must also be performed. If there is an effect on accuracy, then a change in calibration interval is required for both laboratory and on-site equipment.

The importance of DEF STAN 05-55

As an industry, defence engineering demands precision and accuracy to not only perform reliably, but ensure safety of operation. Because of this, calibration standards demand an increased emphasis on documentation and precision to ensure all equipment has been sufficiently tested via routine checks and inspections.

One of the most prominent aspects of DEF STAN 05-55 is the demand for thorough documentation. The paper trail of how equipment has been handled, where it is stored, and the specific times at each stage of calibration provides MOD representatives with proof of accuracy and quality. This is reinforced by DEF STAN 05-55’s highlight of measurement uncertainty; all uncertainties must be taken into account and documented alongside each factor that influences them. The result is a calibration process that has every single step recorded on paper for later review.

Full UKAS accredited and documented calibration

For precision engineering industries such as defence, there is more at stake than a mechanical malfunction. Safety can be in jeopardy, which is why regular and sufficient calibration is vital. Documentation plays a key role in distinguishing whether equipment is safe to use, which is why UK MODs use DEF STAN 05-55. 

At DM Systems & Test, we hold documentation and traceability as priorities to ensure compliance and provide our clients with a clear understanding of their equipment. Our UKAS accreditation reinforces our commitment to quality and precision, with a full team of highly skilled engineers that collect and return equipment safely and promptly. To find out more about our UKAS accredited calibration services, contact us today.