ISO/IEC 17025 2017

ISO/IEC 17025, the important calibration standard, has just been updated.  It is titled General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.  The new 3rd Edition from November 1, 2017 is available now from Document Center Inc.  It is a technical revision of the previous 2nd Edition dated 5/15/2005.  This means that the 2nd Edition is obsolete and replaced by the 3rd.

ISO/IEC 17025 contains the requirements that calibration labs have to meet in order to be ISO/IEC certified.  This is the way that calibration labs demonstrate the ability to provide valid results for their customers.  And it is also used to provide competency assurances for cross-border regulatory compliance in international trade.

As with many of our management standards, ISO/IEC 17025 has undergone a transformation with regards to risk management concerns.  With this risk-based approach comes new requirements and modifications for what were formerly prescriptive ones.  The focus on performance-based requirements is one of the primary changes in this new 3rd Edition.

Another big change in the standard is the new flexibility in a number of areas.  These include processes, procedures, documented information and organizational responsibilities.  Again, this is a reflection of the impact of the new ISO 9001 2015 Edition.  Laboratories will be focused on results and flexibility in achieving the goals of competence, impartiality and consistent operations.

FYI:  The word “laboratory” is now part of the definitions section in Clause 3.

No matter the size of your calibration laboratory, you’ll want this new update.  Be sure to purchase your copy from an authorized distributor like Document Center Inc.  You can order with confidence at our secure web store, www.document-center.com.  Here is a direct link to the order page for ISO/IEC 17025 for your convenience.

All standards sales come with our “best-in-class” notification service at no additional charge. So Document Center Inc. customers who have purchased previous editions of this standard already have received their email alerts regarding this update. To learn more about the support services we offer to our customers, please contact us.  You can reach us by phone (650-591-7600) and email (info@document-center.com).  You’ll soon learn why so many companies make us their Standards Experts!

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Claudia Bach

Claudia Bach is the President of Document Center Inc. and a world-wide recognized expert on Standards and Standards Distribution. You can connect with her on Google+

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