Scales calibrated by an ISO 17025 accredited organization? TS 16949 requirement?

[dbzman]

Hello everyone!

We recently had our TS audit. The auditor looked at our weight scales and said that the company that calibrates them should be 17025 or national equivalent. The service that we use is ISO 9001 only. This comes from the section dealing with external labs. We only use the scales to weigh the parts that we put into baskets for Heat Treating. The weight has to be accurate to get the correct heat treating results (hardness, etc).

Won’t 9001 do or does it have to be equivalent to 17025?

Thanks!

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by dbzman

Hello everyone!

We recently had our TS audit. The auditor looked at our weight scales and said that the company that calibrates them should be 17025 or national equivalent. The service that we use is ISO 9001 only. This comes from the section dealing with external labs. We only use the scales to weigh the parts that we put into baskets for Heat Treating. The weight has to be accurate to get the correct heat treating results (hardness, etc).

Won’t 9001 do or does it have to be equivalent to 17025?

Thanks!

No, ISO/TS 16949:2009 clearly states that the external (calibration) lab must be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. So kudos for the auditor and regretfully a NC for your organization.

Stijloor.

[howste]

I agree with Stijloor. I would have written the nonconformity too. In fact, I have on multiple occasions.

[dbzman]

Originally Posted by Stijloor

No, ISO/TS 16949:2009 clearly states that the external (calibration) lab must be ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. So kudos for the auditor and regretfully a NC for your organization.

Stijloor.

I agree that it is a non-conformity, however we talked him out of it so NO FINDING!

Since the standard says 17025 or National equivalent, what works besides 17025? What would be a national equivalent for weight scales?

Thanks!

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by dbzman

I agree that it is a non-conformity, however we talked him out of it so NO FINDING!

Since the standard says 17025 or National equivalent, what works besides 17025? What would be a national equivalent for weight scales?

Thanks!

Sorry James, you would not have been successful with me....

ISO 17025 is a very common accreditation standard in the USA, so why would you look for an equivalent?

Stijloor.

[dbzman]

Originally Posted by Stijloor

Sorry James, you would not have been successful with me....

ISO 17025 is a very common accreditation standard in the USA, so why would you look for an equivalent?

Stijloor.

The supplier that we use to calibrate our weight scales is very close to our facility. We have had very good service with them and no problems. Why change?

Value added please?

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by dbzman

The supplier that we use to calibrate our weight scales is very close to our facility. We have had very good service with them and no problems. Why change?

Value added please?

I can see your point. But auditors do not make the rules. And ISO/TS is not always about convenience. But you know what? Why did your organization pursue ISO/TS 16949 for just one automotive customer? Are you guys high up in the supply chain? Because with ISO 9001, the calibration requirements would be different.

Stijloor.

[dbzman]

Originally Posted by Stijloor

I can see your point. But auditors do not make the rules. And ISO/TS is not always about convenience. But you know what? Why did your organization pursue ISO/TS 16949 for just one automotive customer? Are you guys high up in the supply chain? Because with ISO 9001, the calibration requirements would be different.

Stijloor.

I have, for some time, tried to get them to go to just ISO but one customer (TRW) has required it so they are sticking with TS.

I have no problem with meeting the standard I just need to know what “national equivalent” might be for a calibrations service.
If TS mentions an alternative to 17025 there must be one, right?

Thanks!