A LotusWorks Deep Dive
The global standard for testing and calibration laboratories is the ISO 17025 accreditation. This international standard is imperative for organizations seeking to ensure the highest level of quality and competence in their laboratories.
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Overview of ISO 17025
The ISO 17025 standard outlines the guidelines and requirements that all testing laboratories and calibration laboratories must follow to be deemed technically competent. It covers everything from structural requirements to process requirements, setting a high standard for quality and competence.
ISO 17025:2017 - What's New?
The most recent version, ISO 17025:2017, includes updates addressing risks and opportunities and emphasizing the importance of risk-based thinking. It also introduces new normative references for laboratory customers.
The Purpose of ISO 17025 Accreditation
Accreditation to ISO 17025 provides a laboratory with international recognition of its technical competence, consistent operation, processes and capability to produce testing and calibration results that are reliable and valid.
The Importance of ISO 17025 in Testing and Calibration Laboratories
Ensuring Technical Competence
An ISO 17025-accredited laboratory is recognized as technically competent and capable of producing valid and reliable results, thereby enhancing trust among laboratory customers, regulatory authorities, inspection bodies, and accreditation bodies.
Assuring Reliable and Technically Valid Results
The ISO 17025 standard helps laboratories develop a robust quality management and quality system that guarantees reliable and technically valid results.
Key Components of ISO 17025 Accredited Quality Management System
ISO 17025 focuses on two primary sections – management requirements and technical requirements.
Management Requirements
These are related to the operation and effectiveness of the quality management system within the laboratory. They cover areas such as organizational structure, document control, review of contracts, non-conforming testing and/or calibration work, corrective action, preventive action, control of records, internal audits, and management reviews.
Technical Requirements
These pertain to the competence of staff, testing methodology, equipment, and quality assurance of test and calibration data. This section includes factors like personnel, accommodation and environmental conditions, test and calibration methods and method validation, equipment, measurement traceability, sampling, handling of test and calibration items, assuring the quality of test and calibration results, and reporting the results.
Resource Requirements
Proper resources, including competent personnel, appropriate methods of training, suitable equipment, and a suitable environment, are crucial for a laboratory to perform its technical activities and obtain accurate, reliable results.
The Role of Accreditation Bodies in ISO 17025
Accreditation bodies, often recognized by international organizations, play a vital role in the accreditation assessment process.
Laboratory Accreditation
These bodies assess the laboratory’s quality management system and technical competence. The accreditation body ensures that the laboratory can perform specific tests, procedures, measurements, or calibrations, leading to the laboratory’s accreditation.
Mutual Recognition Agreements
Many accreditation bodies are part of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs), which aim to create international acceptance for accreditation systems, making the testing and calibration results globally acceptable
The LotusWorks Difference
LotusWorks Calibration Laboratory
At LotusWorks, we are proud to offer an ISO/IEC: 17025:2005 accredited laboratory. Our areas of expertise include:
Electrical Multi-Meters, Process Meters, True RMS Meters, Clamp Meters, Power Supplies
Temperature Digital Temperature Indicators, Temperature Baths, Temperature Probes
Pipettes
Balances Up to 320 Kg
Consistent Operation and Quality Assurance
Coupling our technical competence with a clear understanding of your equipment and instrument requirements, we provide a consistent quality service in a timely manner. Minimizing production downtime is a shared industry goal, which we achieve through fast turnaround times on critical items and our technical knowledge, guaranteeing your instruments and equipment meet the correct regulatory standard.
Conclusion
ISO 17025 accreditation is an invaluable resource for any testing or calibration laboratory. It assures a high level of competence and quality, enhancing trust among laboratory customers and regulatory authorities. With LotusWorks, you can rest assured of consistent operation and quality assurance in your calibration laboratory testing needs.
FAQ
ISO 17025 is the international standard that specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories.
ISO 17025 accreditation enhances the credibility of calibration data, ensuring the competence of the laboratory to produce valid and reliable results.
An ISO 17025-accredited laboratory is deemed technically competent and able to produce valid and reliable results that are internationally recognized.
LotusWorks ensures this through our ISO/IEC: 17025:2005 accredited laboratory, fast turnaround times, and technical knowledge, guaranteeing your instruments and equipment meet the correct regulatory standard.
Accreditation bodies assess the laboratory’s quality management system and technical competence, leading to the laboratory’s accreditation. They ensure that the laboratory can perform specific tests, measurements, or calibrations.
