All About ISO 17025:2017 Testing and Calibration Laboratories
ISO 17025:2017 is a standard that sets the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This standard provides a framework for laboratories to ensure that their activities are reliable, accurate and consistent. The ISO 17025:2017 standard is applicable to all types of laboratories, regardless of the scope of their testing and calibration activities.
The ISO 17025:2017 standard was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This standard replaces the previous version, ISO 17025:2005, which was last updated in 2010. The updated version of the standard was published in November 2017 and has since become the international benchmark for laboratory accreditation.
The ISO 17025:2017 standard specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistency of laboratory operations. This includes management requirements, such as the establishment and maintenance of a quality management system, as well as technical requirements, such as the use of appropriate methods, procedures, and equipment for testing and calibration activities.
The standard also includes requirements for the evaluation of measurement uncertainty, the use of traceable measurement standards, and the validation of test methods. The ISO 17025:2017 standard emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement, and laboratories are required to monitor, measure, and analyze their processes and procedures to ensure they are operating effectively.
One of the key changes in the ISO 17025:2017 standard is the inclusion of risk-based thinking. This means that laboratories must identify and assess risks associated with their activities and take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks. This approach helps to ensure that laboratory results are reliable and accurate, which is essential for their customers to make informed decisions based on the data provided.
The ISO 17025:2017 standard is applicable to all types of laboratories, including those that perform testing and calibration for regulatory purposes. Laboratories that comply with this standard can demonstrate their competence and impartiality, which can help to increase their credibility and reputation.
In conclusion, the ISO 17025:2017 standard is a vital tool for ensuring the competence and reliability of testing and calibration laboratories. By following the requirements set out in this standard, laboratories can demonstrate their competence, impartiality, and consistency, which can help to increase their credibility and reputation. Laboratories that are accredited to this standard can provide their customers with reliable and accurate results, which is essential for making informed decisions based on scientific data.
