An introduction to ISO/IEC 17025:2017

Summary

In this video, Ajish introduces ISO/IEC 17025:2017, a standard for testing and calibration laboratories. He explains ISO and IEC, their roles in global trade and product safety, and the importance of accreditation. The video covers how laboratories can achieve accreditation, the role of accreditation bodies like ILAC and IAF, and highlights key international accreditation bodies across various regions. Viewers are given a comprehensive overview of the standard, its history, and the process involved in gaining accreditation. The video serves as an introductory guide to ISO/IEC 17025, with upcoming videos focused on detailed clause interpretations.

Takeaways

• 😀 ISO IEC 17025:2017 is a standard that outlines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
• 😀 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a global non-governmental body responsible for creating international standards across multiple industries.
• 😀 IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) works on standards for electrical and electronic technologies, coordinating over 170 countries globally.
• 😀 ISO standards, like ISO 9001, ensure the reliability, safety, and quality of products and services, supporting global trade and fair market conditions.
• 😀 The first edition of ISO IEC 17025 was issued in 1999, and it was revised in 2005, with the most recent revision in 2017 that introduced risk-based thinking.
• 😀 The 2017 revision of ISO IEC 17025 allows for greater flexibility in documented procedures and organizational responsibilities.
• 😀 A laboratory, as per the standard, can be involved in testing, calibration, or sampling related to testing or calibration.
• 😀 Accreditation is the third-party evaluation that certifies a laboratory's competence based on recognized standards and impartiality.
• 😀 The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) are key organizations in the accreditation ecosystem.
• 😀 Major accreditation bodies include the Emirates International Accreditation Center (EIAC) in the Middle East, the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), among others.

Q & A

What is ISO IEC 17025:2017?

ISO IEC 17025:2017 is a general requirement for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, designed to ensure that laboratories can produce valid and reliable results.

What does ISO stand for, and what is its purpose?

ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent, non-governmental international organization that develops standards to ensure products and services are safe, reliable, and of good quality.

What is the role of IEC?

IEC stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission. It is a global non-profit organization that works on the development and coordination of standards for electronic technologies, including testing, calibration, and manufacturing.

What are the key changes from ISO IEC 17025:2005 to ISO IEC 17025:2017?

The key changes in the 2017 revision include the application of risk-based thinking, greater flexibility in requirements for documented information, and the addition of a definition for a laboratory.

What is the definition of a laboratory according to ISO IEC 17025?

A laboratory is defined as a body that performs one or more of the following activities: testing, calibration, and sampling associated with subsequent testing or calibration.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is the independent, third-party evaluation of a conformity assessment body (such as a certification body or laboratory) to confirm its competence and impartiality in carrying out specific tasks such as testing or certification.

What is an accreditation body?

An accreditation body is an authoritative organization that assesses and accredits conformity assessment bodies according to relevant standards, ensuring their competence and impartiality in performing specific tasks.

What are the roles of ILAC and IAF?

ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) and IAF (International Accreditation Forum) work together to enhance global accreditation and conformity assessment, with ILAC focusing on laboratory accreditation and IAF on broader fields like management systems and product certification.

How does ISO IEC 17025:2017 contribute to laboratory competence?

ISO IEC 17025:2017 ensures laboratory competence by setting requirements for them to demonstrate their ability to produce valid results, enhancing trust in their operations and the quality of their testing and calibration processes.

Can you name some of the largest accreditation bodies in different regions?

Some of the largest accreditation bodies include EIAC in the Middle East, PNAC and NABL in South Asia, CNAS in East Asia, UCAS in Europe, NATA in Australia and New Zealand, and SANAS in Africa.