The reliability of reports produced by laboratories for testing and calibration has become a major concern due to a myriad of flaws that reputable bodies, as well as customers, have uncovered. But, there’s growing competition because the need for laboratories that test is always increasing. Acquiring the ISO 17025 certification is a smart choice for staying ahead of the competition, maintaining high client satisfaction, and outperforming other companies. It offers many advantages, including worldwide recognition, increased awareness, higher revenue margins, and an established image.
How to Obtain the ISO 17025 Certification?
Many companies understand the importance of this international standard. But, questions like What is the best way to get ISO 17025 certification?” remain. Several options are available online or offline, but only a handful of websites can offer authentic and pertinent answers. If it’s easy and clear, it’s much more likely for staff to follow the standard and be fully compliant.
Obtaining certification under the ISO 17025 certification involves several important steps. This standard outlines specific guidelines that ensure the competency of all calibration and testing labs. This blog will cover the fundamental and most commonly used best practices that straightforwardly enable the completion of this certification.
What’s the procedure, and what is the best way to achieve an ISO 17025 certification?
Before any certification audits, which a third party typically conducts, certain assessments and audits must be carried out efficiently.
The Process
Understand the Standard
Get familiar with ISO/IEC 17025 standards for 2017. This involves understanding the basic demands for impartiality and competence, as well as applying systematic procedures.
Gap identification as well as analysis
Identifying the gaps between the efficiency of your current system and your goals is a crucial step in the certification process. Gap analysis can help you identify factors that lead to weaknesses in your technology.
An analysis of root causes is essential to identify any non-conformities or issues.
The team in charge has a greater chance of creating and sketching out the proper plan for efficient execution.
Quality Management System (QMS) Implementation
Create and implement a Quality Management System (QMS) that meets all the standards of ISO 17025. This involves establishing documents for procedures, instructions to work and guidelines.
Personnel Competence
Make sure that your lab employees are skilled and competent for the duties they have been assigned. It involves delineating job roles, providing the necessary training, and maintaining records of competency.
Control and documentation of documents
Recording every managing phase to establish the testing process is vital for planning contingency.
It is recommended to have a proper plan and procedure in place to monitor the security of documents containing sensitive information, such as instructions, manuals, or other pertinent records.
Equipment and infrastructure
It is impossible to provide valid test results if the business has not upgraded its entire infrastructure as well as facilities and equipment.
The manager is required to review the essential maintenance schedule for its devices and tools.
Method validation
The testing and calibration procedures should be verified before the registration process.
Sampling
This includes the proper handling, identification, and transport of samples, which are crucial to determining the results.
Uncertainty of Measurement
Note down the measurable risks associated with calibration and testing activities. It involves creating and sustaining methods for estimating uncertainties.
Traceability of Measurements
Ensure that the traceability of measurements complies with all relevant international or national standards. It is also important to keep records of calibrations for measurement norms.
Internal audit
The process is carried out to increase value by identifying areas of non-conformity.
Internal audits help identify areas that need correction.
You can also verify the efficiency of your altered system, too.
Readiness review
The questionnaire will be prepared, and a discussion with management and other stakeholders is scheduled to exchange views.
The performance and compatibility of your management system must be established before approval of the system is granted.
Conclusion
For experienced and knowledgeable assistance in meeting ISO requirements and internal auditing requirements, contact us via TUV Western. Our company is a top one that can help you attain ISO accreditation in the US. We offer a customized solution for every ISO certification, as well as other global certifications, to help you navigate this complex certification process efficiently and effectively. From the initial consultation to the analysis and auditing, we will take care of everything. We will assist you with all of the questions you have regarding the provisions in any standard for management systems that you need.
