Definition Calibration vs. Verification of Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

#1
The simple answer is that if anyone is making decisions about product or process 'acceptability' (does it meet a specification), then the equipment used should be calibrated or at least verified as operating correctly.

It really doesn't matter (to your management) what the ISO standard says, since most management have never read it or know why it exists, however, they might see the benefit of either having problems of processing or production/productivity because the operators didn't get the correct data they needed to control the thing.

If they are concerned about the cost of calibration or the disruption of removing the equipment to perform the calibration, there are many ways to over come that resistance.

Do you have anyone in the organization who is experienced in running an effective calibration management system? If not, it could be useful to find one.
 
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Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#2
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

The simple answer is that if anyone is making decisions about product or process 'acceptability' (does it meet a specification), then the equipment used should be calibrated or at least verified as operating correctly.
"Calibrated" and "verified as operating correctly" are the same thing.

It really doesn't matter (to your management) what the ISO standard says, since most management have never read it or know why it exists, however, they might see the benefit of either having problems of processing or production/productivity because the operators didn't get the correct data they needed to control the thing.
While I'm not sure if I agree that most management types are ignorant of the reasons for the standard's existence, they are most likely to be motivated by fiscal concerns rather than honoring the standard, per se. They become more likely to want to honor the standard when it's demonstrated that not honoring it will have economic consequences, in other words. For this reason it's good to be able to show management the consequences of forgoing an efficacious calibration system. This becomes somewhat more difficult to accomplish if there are no examples at hand, but you can still use hypothetical situations to demonstrate the need.
 
#3
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

"Calibrated" and "verified as operating correctly" are the same thing.
Not at all, Jim. Calibration is not the same thing as verification. Calibration is normally performed, through a chain of unbroken comparisons, to a standard, SI unit.

Verification is usually performed where traceability to such a universal standard isn't possible, say to a known 'gold' standard. Also, verification can be simple check to see if the device is functioning correctly, without the need to control the factors affecting calibration (see ISO/IEC 17025:2005, for example)

Indeed, the ISO 9001 requirement distinguishes between calibration and verification.........
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#4
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

Not at all, Jim. Calibration is not the same thing as verification. calibration is normally performed, through a chain of unbroken comparisons, to a standard, SI unit.

Verification is usually performed where tracability to such a universal standard isn't possible, say to a known 'gold' standard. Also, verification can be simple check to see if the device is functioning correctly, without the need to control the factors affecting calibration (see ISO/IEC 17025:2005, for example)

Indeed, the ISO 9001 requirement distinguishes between calibration and verification.........
"Calibration" is the act of comparing a measuring device to a standard. ISO 9001 requires traceability of standards. Calibration may or may not involve adjustment. ISO 9001-2000, 7.6 says, in part, that measuring equipment shall...
...be calibrated or verified at specified intervals, or prior to use, against measurement standards traceable to international or national measurement standards...
There is no explanation given for the difference between "calibrated" and "verified" in this context. In either case, the requirement for traceable standards applies, (unless no traceable standard exists) so there is no substantive difference between the two.
 

Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#5
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

"Calibration" is the act of comparing a measuring device to a standard. ISO 9001 requires traceability of standards. Calibration may or may not involve adjustment. ISO 9001-2000, 7.6 says, in part, that measuring equipment shall...
There is no explanation given for the difference between "calibrated" and "verified" in this context. In either case, the requirement for traceable standards applies, (unless no traceable standard exists) so there is no substantive difference between the two.
I agree with Jim,

Calibration and verification require comparison with traceable standards.

Stijloor.
 

Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#6
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

Allow me to elaborate on calibration and verification. ISO 9001:2000 was written with a much broader context in mind then ISO 9001:1994. Many tend to think in a traditional way regarding measuring instruments (hardware) and required calibration. In the context of ISO 9001:2000, the term "verification" can be applied to lab equipment, PLC's, computers and devices other than those typically seen in a traditional manufacturing environment.

We're all creatures of habit and we need to think outside the typical "hard-core" manufacturing context.

Just my :2cents:

Stijloor.
 
U

Umang Vidyarthi

#7
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

"Calibration" is the act of comparing a measuring device to a standard. ISO 9001 requires traceability of standards. Calibration may or may not involve adjustment. ISO 9001-2000, 7.6 says, in part, that measuring equipment shall...
There is no explanation given for the difference between "calibrated" and "verified" in this context. In either case, the requirement for traceable standards applies, (unless no traceable standard exists) so there is no substantive difference between the two.
You are right Jim.When you calibrate,you are simply verifying,that the instrument/tool in question is within the designated permissible limits.Hence the real difference is in the nomenclature,but not in the implied meaning.

Umang :agree1:
 
#8
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

So help me out, here, then.

If there's no difference, why not just say either 'calibrated' or 'verified'? Why say 'calibrated or verified' if they are the same thing? Did the committee who wrote the requirement get paid by the word?
 

Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#9
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

So help me out, here, then.

If there's no difference, why not just say either 'calibrated' or 'verified'? Why say 'calibrated or verified' if they are the same thing? Did the committee who wrote the requirement get paid by the word?
Andy,

There are industries, organizations, where the word "calibration" may not as common as "verification." Remember the term "Inspection and test?" Now it's called: "Monitoring and measurement of product." Same thing. But again, "inspection and test" may not be as familiar in certain organizations.
I am not a linguist, but that's how I look at it.

Semantics? :frust:

Stijloor.
 
#10
Re: Calibration vs. Verification - Definitions

Then TC 176 should have put the definition in ISO 9000 with the others. They saw fit to do that will all kinds of simple words - like competence - so based on your description, if these organizations don't know verification from calibration, it should be spelled out for them.

Inspection and testing isn't a good analogy. Measurement and monitoring were chosen since the scope of 'product' was widened, from the origins of ISO 9001/2/3 - the BS 5750 requirements, and military requirement before that, in which product was hardware.

Incidentally, you can verify a (working) pressure gauge, for example, by putting a master pressure gauge along side it, to check the line pressure as a comparison........it's only reading at a single pressure, perhaps, but it might show that the working gauge is 'off'.

The calibration of the same pressure (working) gauge would be performed on (for example) a deadweight tester, up and down the full scale, at increments against known weights, traceable to a NIST std.

How is the verification, by comparison, the same thing as calibrating over a range, on a deadweight tester?

BTW, Jim - I didn't mention any adjustment, since I'm well aware that calibration is simply the determination of the reading to the standard!:rolleyes:
 
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