What is ISO/IEC 17025?
The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard addresses the aspects of the testing and calibration laboratory activities from general laboratory management and operations to specific testing and calibration development, validation and maintenance of competence of methods.
Who is it for?
Any laboratory that wishes to:
- Demonstrate technical competence in their testing and calibration results
- Accredit specific testing and calibration methods with the view to achieving appropriate industry, national and international recognitions
- Regulatory requirements, when and as required
Does it connect directly with ISO 9001:2015?
Recently, a Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communiqué on this subject was issued. Please click here to read the entire communiqué.
The essential components are:
- Fulfilment of the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 means meeting both technical competence requirements and management system requirements
- Management system requirements in ISO/IEC 17025 (Section 8) are written such to meet the principles of ISO 9001:2015
The main forces behind ISO/IEC 17025:2017 have been centred around eight technical principles ... science focused. These principles are:
- Capacity
- Exercise of Responsibility
- Scientific Method
- Objectivity of Results
- Impartiality of Conduct
- Traceability of Measurement
- Repeatability of Test
- Transparency of Process
Whereas, ISO 9001:2015 applies the following eight quality management principles in its formation:
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Engagement of people
- Process approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based decision-making
- Relationship management
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 shares common principles with ISO 9001:2015 and most laboratories with ISO 9001 certification will find it serves as an excellent basis for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation of its methods.
Please note that ISO 9001:2015 certification DOES NOT indicate or demonstrate technical competence of testing or calibration results ... certification and accreditation are two completely differing activities with two completely differing objectives!
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) participate together in a joint committees known as the Conformity Assessment Committee of the ISO (CASCO). It is this joint committee which is responsible for the ISO/IEC 17025 Standard and other conformity assessment standards
Our activities extend from Canada to Europe to Asia to Africa to Middle East.
Ashbrooke Quality Assurance Ltd. | British Columbia | Canada
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