ISO/IEC 17025 Equipment Management and Calibration

Equipment is where many audit findings originate. Clause 6.4 requires laboratories to have the equipment needed and to control it properly.

Identify and label

Every piece of equipment affecting results should be uniquely identified, with its calibration status visible.

Calibrate and maintain

Establish a calibration programme with defined intervals, maintain equipment, and handle out-of-service or suspect equipment so it can’t produce invalid results.

Records and traceability

Keep calibration certificates, maintenance logs and evidence of metrological traceability to the SI where required.