Knowledge of test methods in order to conduct an internal audit to ISO 17025?

[M Greenaway]

This is similar to other threads, but could those with some experience tell me if it is necessary to have technical knowledge of test methods in order to conduct an internal audit to ISO17025 ?

[D.Scott]

I am an approved auditor for the 2pCP lab approval program and I don't have technical knowledge of all the test methods. I do have a lot of experience in lab functions and in a lot of the tests but not all of them.

The lab has to have a test method (procedure) for each of the tests and I can determine if the technician is following the procedure. If the test is determined by a spec or standard, I can evaluate their procedure against the spec.

IMHO you would not need to have technical knowledge to be an internal auditor (if you had it, why wouldn't you be working in the lab?).

Dave

[M Greenaway]

Thanks Dave

That is what I thought. I have been asked to do an internal audit of our test lab, which is UKAS approved, and the lab manager was saying that it requires a technical appraisal of the actual test methods undertaken. Like you said, I asked if documented test methods existed that I could audit for compliance against (as I am not a test expert), and he said 'not in all cases'.

To my mind this audit requires compliance and effective implementation to ISO17025, not technical evaluation of the tests themselves.

Its a bit like auditing the design requirements of ISO9001 and being expected to technically appraise the design itself !!

[Libnani]

I AGREE with you if the test methods are standard one ,

but if the test methods are in- house ones you should

examine if they are validated ,

Otherwise you should evaluate yourself if the tests are

technically appropriate and in this case you should have a huge technical

background in the same area of the tests . (especially in internal audits

where their target is an improvement of the system )