Is A Broad 17025 ISO Accreditation Enough?
In order for a calibration lab to achieve ISO 17025 certification, an accrediting body (AB) must ensure both the competency and the quality of a calibration lab’s measurement capability and management system. In other words, the ISO 17025 standard validates that a lab does what it says, says what it does, and documents all processes. Is that sufficient?
To achieve ISO 17025 accreditation and integrity within the measurement market, a lab may first wish to garner the approval of a qualified accrediting body (AB). With a detailed auditing process, accreditation bodies can assess and validate labs as competent. A qualified accrediting body will be MRA signatory to the International Lab Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), while others may be lacking the required expertise, procedures, standards, or controls necessary for a valid accreditation process.
Calibration labs can validate their process and quality with ISO 17025 accreditation, but what elevates a calibration lab is a standardized, industry-supported calibration method. Transcat has a track record of meeting the highest industry standards of ISO, FDA, GMP, ASTM, ANSI, NCSL, CLIA and CAP, a tribute to the metrology calibration services we provide. Achieving the bare minimum is not good enough for us or our customers. In order to achieve the quality our customers depend on, we rely on strict guidelines, regulations, accountability, and regular audits from qualified inspectors including our own customers.
In order to provide our customers with the measurement products necessary for accuracy and repeatability, Transcat adheres to the standards of ISO 8655 and ASTM E1154, two similar standards that define the requirements for valid measurement and calibration of piston-operated volumetric equipment. Compliance to these two standards ensures the highest competency and reliable results, reducing a scientist’s risk of performance failure, testing rework, process inefficiencies, and escalating costs.
A calibration lab that boasts ISO 17025 certification can ensure measurement quality and competency in the lab space. Even so, it's important that customers research a calibration provider’s reputation on quality and adherence to standards before basing a decision on turnaround times or low pricing. At Transcat, our value is in our results and presented on our certificates. We strive to meet as many applicable standards as possible, stressing quality over speed, and process over price to ensure our calibration services provide the best pipette performance with measurement error prevention. With standardized accreditation married to pipette calibration expertise, Transcat is a service leader, out in front of the majority of others. In short, we are dedicated to continued quality and precise scientific advancement.