I am familiar with a local company that has done calibration for three previous companies I have worked for. At my new company, I would also like to continue by using them due to their great on-site service, costs, and reliability.

During an ISO surveillance audit at my previous employer, the auditor questioned my calibration certificates and stated they should meet ANSI 17025 and not ANSI Z540.

Are not both accredited to NIST? Is Z540 no longer recognized as a "preferred" standard?

Thank you all for any comments and clarificiations.

I am familiar with a local company that has done calibration for three previous companies I have worked for. At my new company, I would also like to continue by using them due to their great on-site service, costs, and reliability.

During an ISO surveillance audit at my previous employer, the auditor questioned my calibration certificates and stated they should meet ANSI 17025 and not ANSI Z540.

Are not both accredited to NIST? Is Z540 no longer recognized as a "preferred" standard?

Thank you all for any comments and clarificiations.

Z540-1 was based on the old Guide 25. When 17025 came out, the automotive industry (and others) specifically stated Labs accredited to Guide 25 had to conform to the new 17025. There was a date established (December 2001 I think) by which all accredited Labs must assessed using 17025.

Meeting the requirements of Z540-1 don't necessarily meet the requirements of 17025 and therefore the new "Rules" require accreditation to 17025 only.

I hope this answers your question. I am sure there are threads with further discussion of this topic here in the Cove. Try some of the threads listed at the bottom of this page.

Dave

There actually is a simple explanation.......

ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, and its replacement (it has been formally retired) ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 are American National Standards, and specifically for calibration laboratories.....

ANS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005 (and its now retired predecessor ISO/IEC 17025:1999) are international Standards that address both calibration and testing laboratories.....

If you require an accredited calibration lab, that is to ANS/ISO/IEC 17025:2005, by an accrediting body that is a signatory to a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) such as APLAC (Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) or ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation).

Z540 is a self-declared Standard, and as such, it is buyer beware.....A good lab is a good lab.....but a bad one can also claim Z540 compliance and there is no third party oversight.....

Under ANS/ISO/IEC 17025, you can qualify your cal provider even without accreditation.....by taking a metrology professional who is experienced in the discipline(s) you need, and go audit the laboratory.....

Sometimes it is easier to get the lab to go get accreditation.....if that is an option to explore, then contact me by message.....

Hope this helps.

I would first ask the auditor why he believes that your calibration lab certifications should meet the requirements of ISO 17025. Do you have a contractual requirement from your customers to use calibration labs that issue ISO 17025 certifications; it sound like it is a preference of the auditor.

If you are not required by a customer contract to use calibration labs that issue this type of certification they you, not the auditor, are in the driver seat on this one. Both ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100B only references ISO 10012 for guidance in Clause 7.6. ISO/TS 16949:2002 does however required the use of external ISO 17025 labs in Clause 7.6.3.2.

If you’re happy with this lab keep using them and just be ready to justify their use the next time Mr. or Ms. Auditor asks.

Thanks to everyone. Very informative and you all put it into simplistic words for me. I questioned the same thing being, none of our customers require 17025. The good news is the laboratory I am planning to use is in the process for 17025 so I should be covered on all basis. Thanks again!