ISO 17025

 

The need for ISO/IEC 17025 standard

What is ISO/IEC 17025?

ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard for the testing and calibration laboratories and is created to enable laboratories to demonstrate that they operate efficiently and generate valid test results. The standard boosts confidence in the work that laboratories do and also promotes competency among laboratories. The standard also facilitates cooperation between the different laboratories in the world and the various external bodies by promoting a culture of global acceptance of test results between any country. This means that the test results or certificates obtained from one country is valid and is acceptable in another country without having the need for further testing. This improves and strengthens international trade between countries.

The standard includes the requirements in the form of activities that must be inclusive as part of the laboratory operations in order to promote reliable testing. It was published as a collaboration between ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission).

Who should use the ISO/IEC 17025?

ISO/IEC 17025 can be utilised by any organisation that performs laboratory testing, sampling or calibration. Any kind of laboratory or a testing agency which can be private or government run or any similar organisation can opt for ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This laboratory standard is also helpful for universities, certification agencies, inspection agencies, research centres, governments, regulators or any other conformity assessment bodies that does testing, sampling or calibration.

When was ISO/IEC 17025 revised?

This standard was last revised in 2005 after which a lot of market conditions and technology changes were observed. The latest revision to the standard includes technical changes, vocabulary, developments in the Information Technology etc. The revision also considers the latest updates of ISO 9001. The current revised testing and calibration laboratory standard is the ISO/IEC17025:2017.

Why should testing labs implement ISO/IEC 17025?

Laboratories, testing agencies and other bodies that does similar operations can implement ISO/IEC 17025 standard and can see improvements in their business as well as in their processes.

Increases customer trust

Certifying to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 builds trust among customers and demonstrates that the laboratory has the capability to provide accurate results, consistently. Adhering to the standard also implies that the professionals performing the test are well experienced and are competent enough to generate the test report.

Brings credibility to your laboratory

Being accredited and certified to ISO/IEC 17025 standard improves your organisation’s overall credibility and brings more customers to your labs. The test and the calibration methods shall be reviewed and audited from time to time to ensure that you are using the latest technology available in the market. A third-party accreditation body assess and verifies that the test results are accurate and are performed by trained professionals.

Bringing a change in the culture

Implementing ISO/IEC 17025 standard brings in a cultural change and offers risk-based thinking and helps in driving operations that are cost effective and helps in making informed decisions. The calibration companies and laboratories create a new plan of actions that addresses risks and brings improvement to make sure that the major risk factors related to testing and that calibrations are being controlled.

 

 

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