The flagship laboratory quality standardin the world is ISO/IEC 17025–General Requirements for the Competence ofTesting and Calibration Laboratories. Basedon years of experience using the standard,the author is recommending that the standardbe divided into two standards—one for tor!Dl@Mo
testing laboratories and one for calibrationlaboratories. This recommendation is based on the confusion that arises in Clauses 4 and 5 of the standard’s treatment of the essential missions of testing labs and calibration labs. Another factor is the unique, vital procedures carried out by all calibration labs. In contrast, testing labs deal with a wide range of disciplines; any given test lab might not offer the capabilities of other facilities operating as test labs. A look at the Table of Contents of the present standard is instructive. g&{9VK6.
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THE PERTINEN T CLA USES k?7 X3/O
Clauses 1– 3 .aflsUD
The first three clauses of the standard are Scope, Normative References, and Terms and Definitions. Clearly, the Scope would have to be changed since it attempts to address both testing and calibration laboratories. A modified Clause 1.1 might read as follows for testing labs: This International Standard specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests including sampling. It covers testing performed using standard methods, non-standard methods,and laboratory-developed methods. 3)RsLI9
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