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Safety practices are necessary to run a testing or calibration centre. The ISO 17025 is the most effective standard that offers relevant procedures and policies for running a testing house and producing valid results. Since there is growing competition in the testing and calibration field it is important to gain a competitive advantage and secure your market position. The ISO 17025 is the easiest mechanism for maintaining a competitive advantage. It helps stakeholders comprehend the ultimate objectives and fundamental services of calibration or testing companies.

This international standard is known for enabling laboratories to operate competently to supply reliable results before the expected time limit. To implement a system according to the conditions of this standard, the ISO 17025 certification process needs to be pursued religiously.

The process allows stakeholders to learn more about testing and calibration methods, devices, and other associated aspects. Gradually all internal departments will become initiative-taking and engage in the decision-making process. Accomplishing this process is key in order to achieve 100% compliance. If you fail to adhere to the regulatory terms and conditions, you may face government intervention followed by stiff penalties.

The following blog will discuss some of the significant facts regarding the certification process.

Why is the ISO 17025 necessary?

• It is a widely acknowledged quality management system, which helps to implement improved safety and result processing procedures. Therefore, stakeholders can have a better vision and see the full scope of performance across the board.

• This standard helps with meeting customer requirements and provides clear guidance on the application of different technical methods. Stakeholders will automatically acquire competitiveness and therefore performance becomes more dependable to your target market.

• Profits are also crucial aspect of any business. With constant delivery of valid results, a company gradually strengthens its competitive barriers, which affects profit margins. In addition, over time the number of customers will increase and therefore steady income is achieved.

• This certification plays a key role in improving your over brand name. Consequently, a company will see an increased opportunity in its market expansion.

What is the ISO 17025 certification process?

You need to follow certain steps to achieve compliance with ISO 17025 certification. They are as follow:

Step 1 – Know your audience and identify their requirements

You cannot beat the market competition if you cannot identify and predict customer expectations timely. First, determine who is in your target audience and what are their demands. For laboratories, the common expectation is to receive reliable reports in a timely manner. Your target market will appreciate valid results before and promised deadline. Besides, there are certain requirements according to different testing sectors. Your laboratory’s unique selling proposition must be determined with SMART objectives. It should remove any stakeholder doubts, increase their awareness, and consequently make them to be more initiative driven.

Step 2 – Understand the requirements of the ISO 17025 and then implement them

Comprehending the clauses of the ISO 17025 is necessary before proceeding with the implementation. The fundamental requirements are:

• Organisational context and scope of the system of ISO 17025

• Policies and objectives

• Determining resources, technical facilities, devices, environmental conditions, metrological traceability, and external products

• Leadership and employee training from time to time

• Operations

• Inspection, supervision, and review of the system after the modifications

• Review meetings

• Continual improvement

These are the necessary legal criteria that must be meet prior to implementing this system.

Step 3 – Develop quality management

The sole purpose of the ISO 17025 is to build a quality management system, which will successfully exceed the satisfaction level of your customers. In step 3, a laboratory or testing centre must design, develop, and enforce a sustainable and effective QMS system.

Step 4 – NATA Assessment

The NATA assessment plays a crucial role in this process. This assessment helps to determine whether customers can rely on the test results or not. To provide complete assurance, the assessment is necessary and cannot be achieved without professional help and advice, the assessment program should not be conducted.

Step 5 – Internal audit and readiness check

The last step is performing an internal audit and readiness review to inspect progress and determine if your targets has been accomplished or not. To get the ISO 17025 certification, the readiness of the system needs to be evaluated, so that the external audit and registration takes minimum time. Through an internal audit, the financial progress due to the modifications is counted. The review, on the other hand, will highlight the areas that still need revision.

To achieve all these steps without any failure, contact us at Compliancehelp. We are Australia’s premium site for achieving any ISO certification. Our bespoke solutions are ready to guide you through the exhausting ISO 17025 certification process without any difficulties.