Calibration intervals - Expiration dates on our certificates w/out customer approval

[JerryStem]

I managed to duck this one as long as possible, but finally got hit on having expiration dates on our certificates w/o customer approval.

We've been certifying calibration standards for XRF, beta backscatter, eddy current, etc... equipment for 15+ years. Almost all customers have a 6 monht, 1 year or 2 year interval, depending on type of standard (contact, noncontact) and useage. If they go for years unchanged, 2 years was fine. If they get scratched up and unreadable quickly, then it's 6 months.

My boss is afraid of losing business if we let them choose any interval they want. His wife wants to give choices, but pay extra for longer intervals (3 years = 3x cost), which seems reasonable.

I'm of the opinion that I don't care. Many customers send their items in whenever they feel like it anyway, regardless of what we put on a piece of paper.

It seems customer agreement would be fairly easy to get, even verbally and filed in their folder.

Anyone else have other ideas?

Jerry Stem
UPA Technology
upa.com

[Jeff Frost]

Actually you need to look at the following when determine calibration interval recommendations.

1. What does the equipment manufacture recommend regarding interval?
2. What is you legal liability if your organization uses longer than manufactures recommended interval.
3. Based on analysis of calibration data should intervals be lengthen or shorten?

Really it is up to your customer to determine the calibration interval based on their use of the equipment. When I ran an in-house calibration lab we always reviewed calibration data and then set the cycle based on data and application.

[Hershal]

The solution may be fairly easy. Most clients will accept a suggestion for a calibration interval, so long as it appears reasonable. Perhaps a form to be filled out when an item is received with some standard times (e.g. 6 months, 1 year) and a spot for other cycle would be good. Have a spot for the client to sign/initial or for other verification to be recorded (e.g. name/date for phone approval), and keep it on file.

Hope this helps.

Hershal

[JerryStem]

Thanx for the suggestions thus far. I think it will be easy. Easier than the measurement uncertainty that changes EVERY time we get an assessment, even by the SAME auditor 3 different times!

BTW, any reason these replies didn't show up when I click on the "view replies since last visit"?

I thought no one loved me.........

Jerry