Support For ISO 8655
Compliance to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard is understood to be an important criterion by many of those seeking a qualified pipette calibration service provider. Unfortunately, when it comes to pipette calibration, most don’t realize ISO/IEC 17025:2017 compliance is a necessary but not sufficient criterion.
What is ISO 17025?
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is a written set of general requirements calibration providers must follow to be deemed “competent” by a suitable accreditation body. It requires firms to document internal processes, and to develop systems intended to ensure that those processes are always followed.
The ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, however, has nothing to say about how good or effective those processes may be. Nor are the guidelines specific to any device; they apply equally well to a broad range of equipment requiring calibration, including not just pipettes, but also medical devices, communication equipment, electronic devices, weight scales, pressure meters, calipers, and many more.
What is ISO 8655?
ISO 8655, on the other hand, is a very detailed set of standards, methods and controls that a pipette calibration provider must follow to correctly and accurately calibrate piston pipettes. The specifications of ISO 8655 are rigorous and define in detail exactly what is required for a valid, trustworthy and reliable pipette calibration. ISO 8655 was not written just for regulated laboratories, but for the entire pipetting industry: scientists, pipette manufacturers and, of course, pipette calibration providers.
Difference between 17025 and 8655
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation confirms a calibration provider is competent and operates under strict quality management systems, but it does not define specific performance tolerances for pipettes. ISO 8655 sets precise requirements for pipette accuracy and precision. Compliance with both standards ensures that pipettes are calibrated within globally recognized tolerances, delivering measurements with a greater level of consistency and reliability.
The simple truth is that if your pipette calibration vendor—whether traveling or lab-based—does not comply with ISO 8655, you cannot be assured you are receiving reliable, repeatable and accurate pipette calibration.