When a calibration lab calls something a pass or fail, there’s a lot riding on that decision. An ISO 17025 decision rule is just a documented approach that spells out how you use measurement uncertainty to decide if a calibration result meets the spec. Without a clear decision rule, labs could make the wrong call—leading…
ISO 17025 Technical records requirements really are the backbone of lab operations under ISO/IEC 17025. They capture everything that happens during testing or calibration—from raw data to final results. These ISO 17025 Technical records requirements show your lab sticks to proper procedures and can actually reproduce its work if someone asks. ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.5…
If your lab wants ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, you’ll need to run internal audits to show you’re up to scratch on technical requirements. A vertical audit is one of the three main audit types you can use to check compliance. Unlike horizontal audits, which sweep across one requirement for all methods, or witnessing audits that just…
ISO/IEC 17025 audits can expose gaps fast—especially when a lab can’t show clear, traceable evidence for how work is performed and controlled. This guide provides practical ISO 17025 nonconformity examples and keeps common audit findings explained in plain English, so you can recognize what’s being cited, why it matters, and what objective evidence typically closes…
If you’re searching for an ISO 17025 implementation timeline, the real question is how long it takes—and what an ISO 17025 implementation plan actually looks like in practice. The timeline depends on your current systems, staff skills, and management support. Most labs delay progress because they guess instead of plan. Many labs land in the…
Complaints are unavoidable in testing and calibration labs—but the way you handle them can either protect your accreditation or create audit findings. A well-designed ISO 17025 complaint process (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.9) should be documented, impartial, and fully traceable so you can prove you took the issue seriously, investigated using evidence, and communicated outcomes appropriately…
Getting your ISO 17025 tender request process right is one of the most important—and most overlooked—parts of building a compliant laboratory. Many of the nonconformities I see as a certified ISO/IEC 17025 assessor don’t start in the lab; they start at the front end, when a request, tender, or contract is accepted without a clear…
ISO 17025 sampling requirements define how you select, collect, and prepare samples when your lab controls the sampling step. You must use a documented sampling method and plan that produce representative samples and support valid test or calibration results. When sampling goes wrong, even a strong quality management system cannot protect your data. Sampling matters…
Running a small laboratory means you balance accuracy, time, and limited resources every day. Obtaining ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation often feels out of reach, yet it exists to prove you deliver valid and reliable test or calibration results. ISO 17025 for small laboratories is certainly achievable when you focus on competence, control, and clear evidence, not…
Getting ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is a major achievement for any laboratory. But the real work starts after you receive your certificate. Maintaining ISO 17025 accreditation requires ongoing effort through regular surveillance audits, periodic reassessments, and a commitment to continual improvement. Many labs treat accreditation like a finish line when it’s actually the starting point of…
