ISO/IEC 17025
General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, is the international reference for testing and calibration laboratories wanting to demonstrate their capacity to deliver reliable results.
ISO/IEC 17025
new version of the standard was published by ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in 2017 to update its content and better serve the laboratories that use it. ISO/IEC 17025 was developed by laboratory experts from all over the world, along with 18 liaison organizations, such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), and many associations representing laboratories
What are the benefits associated with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation?
ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard for continuous improvement and self-correction. A laboratory that complies with ISO/IEC 17025 benefits in the following ways:
- It enhances the reliability of test results generated by the laboratory
- It can establish technical competency in the event of a speculation and/or legitimacy issues
- he efficiency of the laboratory increases, customer complaints are reduced, the laboratory gains a strong competitive edge, and the operational expenditure is reduced.
- The regulation facilitates traceability of measurements and calibrations to optimum standards, establishes technical competency of staff, maintains a record of test equipment, ensures the accuracy of test results, validity and correctness of test and calibration methods, appropriate handling and movement of test items, and the quality of the testing environment and sampling
What benefits will it bring to my business or organization?
ISO/IEC 17025 enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the world. It also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries. Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which, in turn, improves international trade.
Who is ISO/IEC 17025 for?
ISO/IEC 17025 is useful for any organization that performs testing, sampling or calibration and wants reliable results. This includes all types of laboratories, whether they be owned and operated by government, industry or, in fact, any other organization. The standard is also useful to universities, research centres, governments, regulators, inspection bodies, product certification organizations and other conformity assessment bodies with the need to do testing, sampling or calibration.
Why was it revised?
The last version of ISO/IEC 17025 was published in 2005 and, since then, market conditions and technology have changed. The new version covers technical changes, vocabulary and developments in IT techniques. It also takes into consideration the latest version of ISO 9001.
What are the key changes? ISO/IEC 17025 takes into consideration the new ways of working of laboratories today. The most substantive changes are as follows:
- The scope has been revised to cover all laboratory activities, including testing, calibration and the sampling associated with subsequent calibration and testing.
- A new structure has been adopted to align the standard with the other existing ISO/IEC conformity assessment standards such as the ISO/IEC 17000 series on conformity assessment.
- The process approach now matches that of newer standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 15189 (quality of medical laboratories) and the ISO/IEC 17000 series (standards for conformity assessment activities), putting the emphasis on the results of a process instead of the detailed description of its tasks and steps.
- The standard has a stronger focus on information technologies. In recognition of the fact that hard-copy manuals, records and reports are slowly being phased out in favour of electronic versions, it incorporates the use of computer systems,electronic records and the production of electronic results and reports.
- A new section has been added introducing the concept of risk-based thinking and describes the commonalities with the new version of ISO 9001:2015, Quality management systems – Requirements.
Why choose Exsolution Group to ISO 17025 Accreditation?
Exsolution Group is one of the leading players in the Consulting Industry in the United Arab Emirates and GCC
We focus on policy structuring, planning, implementation, operational standards, improvement and management reviews as well as other tasks related to
international standards and benchmarks, not only offering valuable insights and support to those who aim to obtain ISO certification, but also to those businesses
who strive to maintain their status and excellence standards. We have been operating for quite some time, and this has allowed us to obtain tremendous experience during our years of existence. Our Consultants are well versed in all the ISO Standards and will provide you with insight into all aspects of
the process.
We have got here to this stage only through perseverance and hard work, and therefore we will bring along these qualities to your doorstep once you hire us. Our expertise in dealing with ISO Certification in Dubai and the Emirates will give\ you the best chance of being awarded the certificate in the least amount of time. Get in touch with us to know the latest information. For any help or queries and know why we are special – we'll be glad to help you.
