ISO/IEC 17025 the quality management standard for labs

What is ISO/IEC 17025

If you work in a lab you know better than anyone that your reputation stands or falls on the quality of your tests and calibrations. The way to prove that quality? Working with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

It covers both technical competence, such as staff expertise, methods and equipment, and ensures accurate testing and calibrations. In addition, the standard also addresses management requirements, including documentation, internal audits and corrective actions.

NBN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017

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General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

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Benefits of ISO/IEC 17025

Qualitative results

Ultimately, it’s all about quality. This standard puts the focus on your technical competence to ensure you always deliver correct and valid results.

Lower costs

By providing accurate results right away, you don't have to incur costs afterwards to retest or correct errors.

Stronger reputation and reliability

ISO/IEC 17025 allows you to demonstrate to the outside world that your results are reliable and meet all quality requirements. This creates trust with customers and stakeholders.

Smoother collaborations

Do you sometimes work with other labs or organisations? This standard provides guidance for all parties involved and ensures wider acceptance of test reports and certificates between countries.

Transparency

Pure clarity, from quotation to reporting. Every step of your lab process is detailed.

In line with other standards

ISO/IEC 17025 fits seamlessly with other standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management and ISO 15189 for quality management of medical labs and encourages further professionalisation.

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There is no auditor for the assessment of our proton therapy. How do we solve that? By conducting internal tests under the supervision of external accredited laboratories according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.

Caterina Brusasco

R&D Compliance Expert at IBA

ISO/IEC 17025 certification

Getting your lab accredited is not mandatory. But interesting. Why?

You boost your credibility with both internal and external clients.
You prove not only the technical competence of your lab, but also your independence and impartiality.
You can use test and calibration results abroad with confidence, as accreditation ensures that you comply with all international requirements.
As icing on the cake, you increase your international standing.

^{Learn more about accreditation here}

Collaborate on ISO/IEC 17025

Do you want to contribute to the future of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard?

The Belgian FPS Economy/CONFASS committee, managed by the FPS Economy, is responsible for standards development. It acts as the contact for anyone in Belgium who wishes to participate in these standardisation activities.

^{To the website of FPS Economy}

Frequently asked questions about ISO/IEC 17025

How do I access the ISO/IEC 17025 standard?

Is training available for ISO/IEC 17025?

What's the difference between the ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189 quality standard?

The ISO/IEC 17025 standard specifies general requirements for the competence of laboratories in performing tests and calibrations. It's widely used in a variety of sectors, from manufacturing to environment and technology.

While the ISO 15189 standard is specific to medical laboratories. This standard contains requirements for both quality management systems and the competence of medical laboratories. ISO 15189 takes into account specific medical processes, such as patient care, and thus focuses on the healthcare sector.

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