Difference Between Iso 17020 And 17025

[Aleshia Ducharme]

Noother accreditation standards cross over as many industries as do ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020. Unless dictated by a specifier on which standard to use, many organizations struggle with the decision on what standard is the most appropriate for their activities. Both are conformity assessment standards containing requirements for the competence of an organization to perform the work detailed on the scope of accreditation. There are common elements to both standards such as requirement for management systems that are similar and are based on ISO 9001. However, there also key difference between the standard which are the key factors an organization should consider when making the decision on which standards is the one appropriate for their activity.

David Feist is an accomplished quality professional with over 20 years of experience in project management and large scale project implementation internationally. Experienced in multiple industries including manufacturing, process mapping, organizational effectiveness, Emergency management planning for business continuity, Six Sigma Quality Improvement Methodology and software development.

Prior to joining ANAB David was a consultant in Laboratory Systems and has established an ran a number of laboratories globally, guiding through ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. He is the former owner of China Sourcing, Inc, an Asia-Pacific manufacturer of Industrial Products sold throughout US.

Each standard has been designed to serve a separate purpose and has equal standing, and depending on the situation one may be more appropriate than the other. The table below outlines the main differences between the two standards:

Laboratory accreditation is the process of assessing and endorsing the quality management and technical competence of testing, measurement and calibration laboratories in all fields of science and technology. These include biology, chemistry, metrology and calibration.

From the above it can be seen that both standards are equal and each is designed to meet the specific requirements of the situation. Often you will need the services of two separate organisations to provide realisation to a project.

This webinar will discuss the changes in the standard and their impact on your QMS. It will provide you with an overview of the salient differences and similarities between the old and the new versions of ISO/IEC 12025 standard and ISO/IEC 17020.

ISO/IEC 17020 sets out general criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection. ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard specifically focused on the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories A new version was released on November 19, 2017. What are the changes and how will they impact your current Quality Management System? What are the new requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017? How does the new standard impact laboratories that are already accredited and how do you ensure staff adherence and ongoing compliance to minimize corrective actions arising from accreditation audits?

Michael Brodsky, has been an Environmental Microbiologist for more than 41 years. Mr. Brodsky is a Past President of the Ontario Food Protection Association and AOAC International. He serves as Chair for the AOAC Expert Review Committee for Microbiology, as a scientific reviewer in Microbiology for the AOAC OMA and the AOAC Research Institute, as a reviewer for Standard Method for the Examination of Water and as a chapter editor on QA for the Compendium of Methods in Microbiology. He is also a lead auditor/assessor in microbiology for the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) and is a member of the Board of Directors.

The International Organization for Standardization develops international standards, some of which are specific and strict regulations inspection bodies must follow to obtain ISO accreditation. These standards ensure organizations perform evaluations safely and accurately.

Inspection bodies that test the reliability and quality of products and services also need to meet certification standards to correctly perform inspections. They must meet specifications that prove their ability to complete inspections safely and accurately. The ISO 17020 standard is a critical compliance requirement for inspection bodies. ISO 17020 accreditation ensures organizations maintain impartiality and consistency in their operations.

Third parties must evaluate inspection bodies to determine if they are compliant with ISO 17020 standards before they can earn ISO 17020 accreditation. To achieve this accreditation, they must meet requirements in multiple areas of their structures and procedures.

The ISO 17020 standard requires inspection bodies to meet strict expectations to earn accreditation. To become an ISO 17020-accredited lab, an organization must adhere to the following regulations and requirements.

ISO accredited labs must comply with general regulations. Maintaining independence and impartiality ensures outside influences do not compromise their results. They must also stay confidential and keep product and service results private. These requirements are paramount because they help labs maintain reputations as being trustworthy.

To earn ISO 17020 accreditation, inspection bodies must create and enforce rules for access to and use of equipment and facilities. They should maintain equipment according to documented instructions and procedures, and they must consistently calibrate equipment if it significantly influences inspection results. Additionally, inspection bodies must develop and follow procedures for selecting and approving suppliers, verifying incoming goods and services and ensuring appropriate storage space.

The ISO 17020 accreditation requires inspection bodies to ensure any automated equipment, such as computers and other technology, is adequate for use. They have procedures that make sure their technology protects data and functions properly. They must also have the following:

Obtaining ISO 17020 accreditation comes with many requirements and regulations that organizations must adhere to. Its strict standards require inspection bodies to meet expectations in various areas such as management, facilities, equipment, processes and safety. These can become time-consuming, but they are also significantly beneficial. ISO 17020 is an excellent accreditation to have because it comes with the following benefits.

Labs that earn the ISO 17020 certification increase their competency in the inspection process. The ISO 17020 certification ensures that they use the appropriate equipment and methods to correctly perform tests and inspections. It allows them to effectively assure quality in the procedures they conduct, and it ensures they perform confidential, impartial inspections. Labs with the ISO 17020 accreditation also operate with effective work safety processes and code of conduct measures.

The ISO 17020 accreditation ensures testing labs comply with international standards. As a result, ISO 17020-accredited labs maintain international reputations as organizations that meet global expectations, which allows them to deliver results for national and international customers.

When a lab earns the ISO 17020 accreditation, it becomes a reliable organization people know they can trust. Customers can rest assured knowing a lab evaluated by an independent third party has tested their products or services, which allows them to save money and time.

ISO 17020-accredited inspection bodies can develop a significant competitive market advantage. The ISO 17020 accreditation allows a lab to demonstrate its competency and hold an international reputation as a reliable organization, which places it a step ahead of competitors. This advantage allows accredited organizations to serve more customers with confidence and consistency.

While being an ISO 17020-accredited lab is beneficial, this accreditation also significantly benefits the companies that test their products or services. When you work with an ISO 17020-accredited lab, you can enjoy the following advantages.

ISO 17020-accredited labs consistently test and maintain their equipment and facilities. Their laboratory resources must meet or exceed international standards. When you have your products or services inspected with high-quality equipment, you can trust that the results will have little to no errors.

Having your products or services inspected by an ISO 17020-accredited lab means knowledgeable and experienced people test your products, processes and services. You can be confident that they meet or exceed international inspection standards.

You can expect valid results from competent, ISO 17020-accredited inspectors. Accredited labs achieve accurate results by maintaining quality control measures and thorough processes. They will provide detailed reports that include any nonconformities, so you know where to make changes if needed. With an ISO 17020-accredited lab, you can rest assured that you are receiving accurate results.

Since an ISO 17020-accredited lab delivers accurate results you can trust, it decreases your chances of needing to retest your products, processes and services. An accredited lab will perform the correct testing procedures to ensure reliable results the first time, saving you time and money on retesting services.

ISO 17020-accredited labs also ensure that your information and results remain safe and confidential. They adhere to international standards, which require them to deliver independent and unbiased results free from outside influences. An accredited lab will ensure their processes, technology and documentation keep your information safe and secure.

ISO 17025 accreditation specifically qualifies calibration laboratories to perform sampling, calibration and product testing. An ISO 17025 lab meets international standards for validity and operational competence. It includes guidelines for quality management, accuracy, effective testing, procedures and resources.

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