ILAC P14 and its implications

[Hershal]

Just FYI as this will affect not just the cal labs, but the customers also.

In most of the world's economies (countries), reporting of uncertainty for every calibration is the norm. That has not always been so in the US.

Beginning in the 1950's with MIL-I-9858, then MIL-STD 45662 (and also A) and later ANSI/NCSL Z540-1-1994, and now ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006, the near sacred 4:1 (at first) TAR and now TUR was codified. ISO/IEC 17025 (both 1999 and 2005 versions) in Clause 5.10.4.2.b specifially allowed reporting of "an accepted metrological specification" which is what the 4:1 was considered - at least in the US - to be.

ILAC P14 has been issued and the US based accrediting bodies (ABs) have signed on that an accredited calibration (e.g., includes AB logo) must include uncertainty. In truth, the ABs already had that policy and generally enforced it.

However, P14 has now formalized that approach. That means if you need a cartificate with the AB logo it will have uncertainty. It does not matter whether you do or don't need the uncertainty for your industry, you will have it. P14 does not state that an accepted metrological specification cannot be stated, only requires that an "accredited" cert have uncertainty.

Often, cal labs and customers do not get the "behind the scenes" information until it hits the streets. Hopefully this is sufficiently advanced so you can plan accordingly.