What is ISO 17025?
ISO 17025 was first issued in 1999 by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). It is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world. Laboratories accredited to this international standard have demonstrated that they are technically competent and able to produce precise and accurate test and/or calibration data.
Why is ISO 17025 Important?
Accreditation to ISO 17025 ensures that a laboratory's quality management system is thoroughly evaluated on a regular basis to ensure continued technical competence. This guarantees that the lab can consistently produce reliable test results, which are crucial for various industries, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and environmental testing.
What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a voluntary, third-party-reviewed process. As part of accreditation, a laboratory's quality management system undergoes thorough evaluation regularly to ensure continued technical competence and compliance with ISO 17025. Laboratory accreditation can only be granted by an accreditation body (AB). Customers should choose calibration and testing laboratories accredited by ABs having a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with ILAC.
What is the ILAC MRA? Why is it Important?
The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) developed a standard for accreditation bodies: ISO 17011. ABs with an MRA with ILAC agree to maintain conformity with the current version of ISO 17011 and regularly submit themselves to peer review. By complying with ISO 17011, ABs demonstrate their capability of accrediting testing and/or calibration laboratories to the ISO 17025 standard. The ILAC arrangement ensures that test results are mutually acceptable between different governmental and regulatory organizations on regional, national, and international levels, meeting the same minimum standards for quality regardless of the lab's accreditation body.
Services
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ISO 17025 Accreditation Consulting: We provide expert guidance on achieving ISO 17025 accreditation.
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Quality Management System Evaluation: Regular evaluations to ensure your laboratory maintains technical competence.
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Training Programs: Comprehensive training sessions on ISO 17025 standards and compliance.
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Peer Review Services: Assistance in preparing for peer reviews as part of maintaining ILAC MRA conformity.
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