18. Calibration – ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory Requirements

2020-11-24
Calibration

To be considered as a calibration laboratory, the laboratory must be qualified for the ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation under the calibration scope, this chapter will list out the general clauses from respective chapters for readers who would like to have a better understanding regarding the calibration laboratory’s qualification.

Chapter 6.4 (For Laboratory Equipment Compliance) :

    • Laboratories shall verify equipment is in compliance with requirement before equipment installation or resume for use. (6.4.4)

    • For measuring equipment, the measurement accuracy and/or measurement uncertainty shall be sufficient for accurate & effective results . (6.4.5)

    • When the following occurs, measuring equipment needs to be CALIBRATED (6.4.6):
      • When measurement accuracy or measurement uncertainty effects report EFFECTIVENESS.
      • This equipment’s calibration is required for report’s metrological traceability.

    • Laboratory shall establish calibration plan, and also be reviewed and adjusted when necessary in order to maintain calibration’s confidence (6.4.7)

Chapter 6.5 (For Metrological Traceability) :

    • Laboratory shall document unbroken metrological traceability chain, to establish and maintain the metrological traceability while ensuring chain’s detail are contributing towards measurement uncertainty (6.5.1)

    • Laboratory shall ensure measurement result can be traced to SI units by: (6.5.2)

    • Calibrated by capable laboratories (can be traced to ILAC associated national laboratories); or
      • Capable production organization’s declaration can trace to reference material value (SI verified)
      • SI unit’s direct comparison via direct or secondary comparison between International standard or national standard.

    • If metrological traceability cannot be traced to SI units, laboratory shall verify the metrological traceability to appropriate reference standard (6.5.3) :

      • Capable production organization’s declaration can trace to reference material value (SI verified)

      • Refer to measurement procedure, required method or results from mutual standard. Then describe the measurement result is in compliance with expected usage. Then also compare accordingly to assure the measurement result.

Chapter 7.6 (For Measurement Uncertainty) :

    • Laboratory shall identify measurement uncertainty’s source contribution. When evaluating measurement uncertainties, all obvious uncertainties (including sampling uncertainty) shall be considered via appropriate analysis. (7.6.1)

    • Laboratory needs to evaluate all CALIBRATION’S MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY when execute calibration (including self-owned device) (7.6.2)

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