News


11/06/2020


TRANSITION PERIOD FOR ISO/IEC 17025 EXTENDED!

As a result of the recent ILAC ballot the transition period for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 adopted as part of the ILAC Resolution GA 20.15 (November 2016) has been extended from 30 November 2020 to 1 June 2021. This extension has been granted to ensure all accreditation bodies and the accredited laboratories are able to achieve the remaining transitions in a robust manner under the restrictions imposed as a result of the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak.
At the end of the transition period, the accreditation of a laboratory to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 will not be recognised under the ILAC Arrangement.


04/09/2019


Revised ILAC G8 Published!

As a result of the recent ballot, ILAC G8: 09/2019 Guidelines on Decision Rules and Conformity Declaration  has been published. This publication was extensively revised by the ILAC Accreditation and Laboratory Committees to provide guidance to laboratories, assessors, regulators and customers in the use of decision rules when issuing statements of conformity to specifications or standards as required in the 2017 edition of ISO/IEC 17025.


20/11/2018


The new kilogram approved!

The International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) has vote and approved the revision of the definitions of the SI base units at the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) on 16 November 2018. The new definitions will come into force on 20 May 2019.
The metric system was originally conceived as a system of measurement that was derivable from unchanging phenomena. However, when the metric system was first introduced in France in 1799, technical limitations necessitated the use of artefacts (the prototype metre and prototype kilogram) instead. In 1960 the metre was redefined in terms of the wavelength of light from a specified source, making it derivable from natural phenomena, leaving the prototype kilogram as the only artefact (metal cylinder of an alloy of platina and iridium with diameter and height of about 39 mm) upon which the SI unit definitions depend. Due to the approval of the redefinition, the metric system (SI) will, for the first time, be wholly derivable from natural phenomena.

The redefinition can be summarised as follows:
There will still be the same seven base units (second, metre, kilogram, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela). Of these, the kilogram, ampere, kelvin and mole will be redefined by choosing exact numerical values for the Planck constant, the elementary electric charge, the Boltzmann constant, and the Avogadro constant, respectively. The second, metre and candela are already defined by physical constants and it is only necessary to edit their present definitions. The new definitions will improve the SI without changing the size of any units, thus ensuring continuity with present measurements.


1/11/2018


The new ISO 31000 keeps risk management simple…..

The revised standard for Risk Management -Guidelines, ISO 31000, is published in February 2018….

ISO 31000:2018, Risk management – Guidelines, provides principles, framework and a process for managing risk. It can be used by any organization regardless of its size, activity or sector.

Using ISO 31000 can help organizations increase the likelihood of achieving objectives, improve the identification of opportunities and threats and effectively allocate and use resources for risk treatment.

However, ISO 31000 cannot be used for certification purposes, but does provide guidance for internal or external audit programmes. Organizations using it can compare their risk management practices with an internationally recognised benchmark, providing sound principles for effective management and corporate governance.

Related Standard

IEC 31010:2009, Risk management – Risk assessment techniques focuses on risk assessment. Risk assessment helps decision makers understand the risks that could affect the achievement of objectives as well as the adequacy of the controls already in place. IEC 31010:2009 focuses on risk assessment concepts, processes and the selection of risk assessment techniques.


1/12/2017


The new ISO 17025:2017 is published…..

The revised standard for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025, is published!

The most popular standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories has just been updated, taking into account the latest changes in laboratory environment and work practices.

Producing valid results that are widely trusted is at the heart of laboratory activities. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 allows laboratories to implement a sound quality system and demonstrate that they are technically competent and able to produce valid and reliable results.

ISO/IEC 17025 also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries. Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which, in turn, improves international trade.

 

20/06/2017


The new ISO 17025 is coming…..

The standard for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025, is currently under review and is at the Draft International Standard (DIS) stage.

The Working Group, responsible for the revision of the standard, is due to meet again in July 2017 to consider the comments received on the DIS. Depending on the range of comments received, the standard will either move to a second DIS, Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) or may in fact be published.  Whether or not a FDIS is released, it can be expected that the standard will be published by the end of the year or in early 2018 at the latest.

 Changes in the new ISO 17025

The format of the new ISO 17025 standard will be significantly changed to be more in line with new ISO formatting guidelines.

The following changes are introduced:

  • In the new ISO 17025 standard, “Laboratory”is now defined as a body that performs one or more of the following activities:
    • calibration
    • testing
    • sampling, associated with subsequent calibration and testing
  • Liability insurance requirement (or reserves) is added
  • Risk management requirements have been added
  • Updated and more detailed requirements related to Internal Quality Control, Proficiency Testing Schemes and Interlaboratory Comparisons are defined
  • New Documentation Requirements have been introduced: a Quality Manual is not required anymore, reduced procedural and record requirements in Management Systems section of the standard.

12/01/16


The new ISO 17034 has been published

The International Standard ISO 17034 outlines the general requirements which producers of reference materials, including certified reference materials, have to fulfill and supersedes ISO Guide 34:2009. The structure of ISO 17034 has been aligned with that of ISO/IEC 17025, the International Standard for the competences of testing and calibration laboratories. Other major changes concern the inclusion of requirements for the production of all types of reference materials, and specified additional requirements for certified reference materials, the harmonization with the most recent editions of other relevant ISO Guides (High Level Structure, HLS)  and the inclusion of more details on required documentation for reference material.


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