Regarding upgrading to ISO/IEC 17025:2005

A new edition of ISO/IEC 17025 (General Requirements for...) was released on May 15, 2005. This document is accepted as the international standard that establishes practices for competence in the field of testing and calibration.

ISO/IEC 17025 was originally published in1999 and reflected the most current editions of ISO9001 and 9002 as they applied to testing and calibration laboratories. Following revision of ISO9001 in 2000, ISO/IEC 17025 was reviewed and updated so as to provide alignment with the quality management principles of ISO9001, i.e. elements of ISO/IEC 17025:1999 were modified to include specific ISO 9001:2000 requirements, but the context of process-based concepts and management approach from ISO 9001:2000 requirements are not included in the changes to ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

Compliance with 17025:2005 will be natural for companies who already embrace a philosophical commitment to Quality. Many labs have the new standard's requirements in place now. The new standard expands the Quality System and addresses the development, implementation, and improvement of the "Management System" that directs laboratory operations. This includes solicitation of feedback from customers as a means of improvement, an ongoing practice for conscientious businesses. Technical competence requirements remain intact. The additional requirements evaluate effectiveness of training and manage deviant quality control data. Aside from the minor changes made to the content (as described earlier in this paragraph, i.e. customer focus, increased definition of top management's responsibilities and recognition of internal communications), specific changes to the numbering schemes for Clauses 4 and 5 have taken place.

Laboratories are allowed up to two years to implement the new standard. ILAC and ISO recognize that the revisions and amendments appearing in 17025:2005 will only require minor modifications for currently accredited labs. It is recommended that laboratories obtain a copy of the latest standard to identify essential updates. ILAA is knowledgeable of the 17025:2005 changes and its accreditation reflects the content and requirements of the 2005 standard.

For further information about ISO/IEC 17025:2005, please visit www.ilac.org.

A copy of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 can be ordered online at www.iso.org.

Don't hesitate to contact ILAA at questions@ilaaonline.org for assistance in clarifying the new standard.