11 Steps to ISO 17025 Accreditation

Quality has become an essential requirement for all the businesses across the globe. ISO 17025 accreditation assures that calibration laboratories compliant with this standard are providing good services and they are maintaining consistency in their services. Well, since the standard ensures the accuracy of calibration tests and reports, the certification process is a bit complex. In this blog, we will discuss eleven steps which an organization must undertake for gaining ISO 17025 accreditation.

11 Steps to ISO 17025 Certification

1. File Application

It’s a wise decision to develop a relationship with a certification body in an early stage of implementing your calibration testing management system. In this way, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the practices of the certification body. Provide your certification body with important information about you, such as:

• What is your expected time frame for the certification?

• What is the scope of your calibration laboratory?

• Is your laboratory an individual one or a part of a larger organization?

• What is the current status of your laboratory management system?

2. Receive Quote 

It is obvious that you will receive a number of quotes while looking for an accreditation body. You must compare the quotes thoroughly to make sure that the services you are receiving are worth your investment. Garnering the information you have filled in the application, the certification body will estimate the price and time required for your certification process.

3. Enter Contract

In the third step when you have decided which certification body you will be working, you need to make a contract with them. This contract formalizes your relationship with the certification body. No matter what certification you are eyeing, ISO 17025 or ISO 9001 certification, it is important to draft the contract carefully.

4. Prepare for the Certification Process

Now, you need to start preparing for the accreditation. Once you have implemented the management system, allow your employees ample time so that they can become competent with the system. Next, documentation should take place.

The documentation must include:

• Quality Manual

• Procedures

• Work Flow

• Quality Documentation

• Quality Records

5. Preliminary Review

Sometimes, a laboratory may request a preliminary assessment before the final accreditation assessment. This preliminary assessment will help the accreditation body to identify the loopholes in an advanced stage so that the organization can resolve the issues before the final assessment. However, these days, many companies are hiring consultants for ISO 17025 accreditation. These consultants conduct the preliminary assessment for their client company before the final audit.

6. Opening Meeting

This is the beginning of your accreditation assessment. On the first day of your scheduled assessment, an opening meeting is going to be arranged with superior management. Under the supervision of the senior manager, the assessment team is going to offer a brief of the assessment process. 

7. Accreditation Assessment

In this phase, the assessment team will walk through the laboratory to inspect the activities. The auditors may opt for one-on-one interviews with the employees. During the assessment, they will ask for evidence of technical competency.

8. Closing Meeting

Once the assessment is done, the accreditation team will conduct a closed meeting with the senior management to give an update of their investigation.

9. Corrective Action

If any loophole is detected, the loopholes will be identified and reported by the auditors. In this step, you need to take correct initiatives for resolving the issues.

10. Executive Committee’s Decision

If you meet every requirement of ISO 17025 and convince the auditors about your efficiency, the executive committee will convey their decision.

11. Accreditation Certificate

Now you are all set to receive the accreditation certification.

These are the eleven steps that you should undertake to reach your ultimate goal- ISO 17025 certification!