ISO/IEC 17025:2017

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is an international standard that outlines the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories. The standard specifies the requirements for laboratory management, the testing and calibration process, and the reporting of results. A laboratory that is certified to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is considered to be technically competent and able to produce valid results.

The standard includes the following key elements:

1. Organization and management: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s management system, including quality management, organizational structure, and personnel.
2. Technical requirements: This includes requirements for test and calibration methods, equipment, and measurement traceability.
3. Test and calibration methods: This includes requirements for the validation, verification, and control of test and calibration methods.
4. Sample management: This includes requirements for the handling, preservation, and transportation of samples.
5. Measurement uncertainty: This includes requirements for the determination and evaluation of measurement uncertainty.
6. Laboratory conditions: This includes requirements for the laboratory environment, including temperature, humidity, and lighting.
7. Test and calibration reporting: This includes requirements for the format, content, and completeness of test and calibration reports.
8. Internal quality control: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s internal quality control procedures.
9. Proficiency testing: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s participation in proficiency testing programs.
10. Complaints and appeals: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s procedures for handling complaints and appeals.
11. Nonconformity and corrective action: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s procedures for identifying and correcting nonconformities.
12. Continual improvement: This includes requirements for the laboratory’s procedures for continually improving its performance.