Program requirements: ISO/IEC 17025
Testing and Calibration Laboratories
Standard
ISO/IEC 17025
Program overview
Organizations covered
- Testing laboratories (chemical, mechanical, electrical, microbiological)
- Calibration laboratories
- In-house industrial and R&D labs
- Government and university laboratories
Principal requirements
- Requirements include validated or verified test and calibration methods
- Requirements include metrological traceability and measurement uncertainty
- Requirements include proficiency testing or inter-laboratory comparisons
- Requirements include quality management system per ISO/IEC 17025 clause 8
Value of accreditation
- Independent evidence of competence that supports customer acceptance
- Reduced duplication of testing may be possible where results satisfy acceptance requirements
- Support for demonstrated technical competence for each method
- Increased confidence in laboratory competence within the accredited scope
Overview
What does a testing and calibration laboratory do?
Testing and calibration laboratories measure, analyze, and evaluate materials, products, or samples to determine their properties, characteristics, or performance. Their work also includes verifying and adjusting measuring instruments and equipment to support accuracy and reliability.
Testing laboratories examine materials, products, and samples for quality, safety, conformity with standards, or suitability for a specified use. Calibration laboratories calibrate measuring devices using reference standards and defined procedures. These activities support business credibility and competitiveness and contribute to protecting public health and safety.
Accreditation criteria
ISO/IEC 17025
ISO/IEC 17025 specifies requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 demonstrates that a laboratory has implemented a quality management system and adheres to internationally recognized technical standards and best practices. The standard covers the qualification and competency of personnel, the validity and reliability of test methods, the traceability of measurements and the proper handling of test and calibration items.
Assessment process
Your 6-step path to accreditation
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01
Application submission
Laboratories apply for accreditation by submitting an application form with relevant documentation, including quality manuals, procedures and evidence of technical competence.
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02
Accreditation assessment
QAC uses on-site assessment to evaluate the laboratory's compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, through document review, personnel interviews, and observation of testing and calibration activities.
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03
Accreditation committee review
The accreditation committee reviews the findings to determine whether the laboratory meets the accreditation criteria. Before deciding, the committee may request further information or clarification.
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04
Accreditation decision
The accreditation committee decides accreditation status on the basis of the assessment findings and recommendations. Accredited laboratories receive a certificate and an entry in QAC’s official registry.
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05
Annual surveillance assessment
Accredited laboratories undergo annual surveillance assessments to evaluate continued conformity, including site visits, document reviews and proficiency testing.
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06
Reaccreditation every four years
The accreditation cycle is four years. To retain accreditation, laboratories must complete reaccreditation at the end of the cycle through a comprehensive reassessment of technical competence, quality management system and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025.
Scope
Technical domains within the accreditation scope
The industries and sectors in which testing and calibration laboratorys operate.
Dimensional metrology
Activities include length, angles, geometric tolerances, surface roughness.
Mass & weighing instruments
Activities include scales, balances, weights.
Temperature & humidity
Activities include thermometers, climatic chambers, hygrometers.
Electrical & electronics
Activities include voltage, current, resistance, power, frequency.
Mechanical & force
Activities include force gauges, torque, hardness testers, vibration, pressure.
Optical & photometry
Activities include light, color, lenses, optical systems, spectrometry.
Acoustics & vibration
Activities include sound level meters, microphones, accelerometers.
Time & frequency
Activities include timers, oscillators, frequency standards.
Chemical testing
Activities include composition, contaminants, analytical chemistry.
Biological & microbiological testing
Activities include microorganisms, genetic testing, biotechnology.
Environmental testing
Activities include air, water, soil, waste, noise, emissions.
Mechanical / physical testing
Activities include strength, hardness, fatigue, vibration, thermal cycling, flammability.
Materials testing
Activities include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites.
Electrical & electronic testing
Activities include electromagnetic compatibility, safety testing, electronic devices.
Medical & clinical testing
Activities include clinical chemistry, hematology, molecular diagnostics.
Food & agricultural testing
Activities include food safety, nutritional analysis, pesticide residues, microbiological contamination.
Pharmaceutical testing
Activities include stability, validation, quality control of drugs.
Forensic testing
Activities include dNA analysis, toxicology, trace evidence, digital forensics.
Construction & civil engineering materials testing
Activities include concrete, asphalt, soils, aggregates, structural components.
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