Re: Are ISO certified companies required to use ISO17025 facilities for calibration?
We are an ISO 9001:2000 Certified company. A manufacturer of screw machine parts, as well as CNC 6 axis, e.t.c.
We are a 2nd tier supplier to an automotive company, and the U. S. Military.
Our business is not strictly automotive, we have varying customers and applications.
During a recent audit, external, there was a QSIR stating that the calibration certification for 3 of our pieces of equipment, were no good because they did not state "ISO 17025".
It was written as "Measuring equipment shall be calibrated against standards tracable to International or National measurement standards i.e. ISO 17025"
One certificate stated "Calibration in Accordance with the requirements of Mil Std 120, Mil Std 45662A, ASTM-E18 and manufacturer's procedures."
Is it a requirement that all calibration be done by a 17025 lab, if the standard of workmanship is acceptable to our company, and no evidence that any calibrations done by that company has affected the Quality system?
The "Objective Evidence" section stated that the certification had "no reference to a measurement standard."
If the standards listed, Mil Std 120, Mil Std 45662A, and ASTM-E18 are not acceptable, then how can the calibration company state that, if the standard is outdated, has been replaced, or is not acceptable for an audit?
Example: ISO IEC Guide 25 ,which has been replaced.
We have been certified for several years now, using this same company, and this issue has never risen before.
Thanks for any help given.
QADave