Clause 7.7 Replicate, Recalibration and Intermediate checks using Artifact

[Richie Rich]

Hello Everyone,
In my calibration laboratory, checks like intermediate checks, replicate calibration and recalibration of retained items are to be carried out as per Clause 7.7 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. What I need to know is whether the artefact against which my working standard must be checked, should be chosen on the basis of specific requirements such as higher / lower accuracy / resolution, etc. compared to my working standard (the one I am using to routinely calibrate calibration items / UUC received from customers)?

Thanks in advance.
Peace.
Richie Rich

 

[dwperron]

Your artifact needs to be of a known value for it to accomplish the purpose of an intermediate check. If you don't know the value of your artifact it tells you nothing about your standard.

Intermediate checks primarily look for drift in your standards, so accuracy and resolution for the artifact are less important that the stability. But then again, stability normally goes along with accuracy and resolution.