How to get the Calibration Due Date? Calibration Certificates

[harinandu2003]

I have some measuring equipment from Agilent. The certificates of calibration from Agilent don't show the due dates. I tried searching the data sheet of this equipment to know whether there is certain period from the calibration date on which the calibration will become due. But I coudn't find any such info. Can anybody help me to find the calibration due date of Agilent equipment?

[BradM]

Hello!

Typically, the calibration due date is established by the customer.

As far as what date I might establish for it would depend on the risk and usage. If this piece of equipment is going to be used a lot I might establish a shorter interval than if it is only used once in a while.

Also, if the measurements made by this equipment are more risky than other measurements, then I would have a shorter interval. Saying, if this standard is found to be out of tolerance, how much impact will that have on your process.

You could start out with a shorter interval. Then, review the data when the unit returns and determine if you have drift or how much the error found is near the allowable tolerance. After two or three cycles, you can establish whether to have a shorter or longer interval.

[Umang Vidyarthi]

Originally Posted by harinandu2003

I have some measuring equipment from Agilent. The certificates of calibration from Agilent don't show the due dates. I tried searching the data sheet of this equipment to know whether there is certain period from the calibration date on which the calibration will become due. But I coudn't find any such info. Can anybody help me to find the calibration due date of Agilent equipment?

Hello Harinandu,

Brad has given you excellant advise. To have more on the subject 'search' for calibration. One of the current thread is here:

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=27023&page=1

Hope this helps

Umang

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by harinandu2003

I have some measuring equipment from Agilent. The certificates of calibration from Agilent don't show the due dates. I tried searching the data sheet of this equipment to know whether there is certain period from the calibration date on which the calibration will become due. But I coudn't find any such info. Can anybody help me to find the calibration due date of Agilent equipment?

Have you tried to contact the supplier on this? They should know what the standard intervals are and the recommended intervals; and most likely can give you the information.

[harinandu2003]

Thanks, I found just now the attachment with the calibration certificate. It says, to fetch the calibration interval from the datasheet and add the interval to the first day of use. I got the intervals from the respective Agilent data sheets. So thanks to all the friends out there...

[Umang Vidyarthi]

Originally Posted by harinandu2003

Thanks, I found just now the attachment with the calibration certificate. It says, to fetch the calibration interval from the datasheet and add the interval to the first day of use. I got the intervals from the respective Agilent data sheets. So thanks to all the friends out there...

Good you found the intervals from the datasheet, still the battle is not won. When it comes to audit, you must be able to prove both, the day of purchase, as well as first date of issue. The first date of issue commensurate with the starting date of calibration frequency. Secondly, the calibration interval is not something dictated by the manufacturer, rather it depends wholly and solely upon usage alone.

The following threads may provide more clarity on subject.

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.ph...1&postcount=10

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showpost.ph...4&postcount=33

Umang

[Jerry Eldred]

As I am just finishing moving to Texas, I am a little behind on replies, and will be for a while.

Everyone else has covered the topic pretty well, but I wanted to add a small input. You mentioned that the equipment is from Agilent. Although it is up to you as to what interval you want to use, the Manufacturer's Recommended Interval can be very helpful in knowing a good interval to use. For instruments currently supported by Agilent, you can go to their website and look up their recommended interval. From the home page, click SERVICES >> REPAIR & CALIBRATION SERVICES. Scroll down to CALIBRATION, click on GET CALIBRATION PRICES/QUOTES/INTERVALS. The rest is self-explanatory. That will tell you their recommended interval.

[Avraham Harris]

I learned last week that according to the ISO/IEC 17025, calibration tags are not necessary (applied by calibrating laboratory), and if they are applied, then they must not contain the next calibration date, unless as a suggestion (and this is only if requested by the customer). Rather, the manufacturer must determine the serviceable status of the equipment and then either 1) apply tags with this info, or 2) store the info on record and ensure that no non-serviceable equipment is readily accessible in the lab for using.
Our old system of tagging was more like a company-applied calibration tag (a concept that does not seem to currently exist). This method did not make any determination of serviceable status, only the actual and next calibration dates.
I am now considering redoing the system, and am not sure what system to prefer (1 or 2) or a third. Do you have a suggestion?,
Thank you,
Avraham