Quick question on the sequence of ISO 17025 external audits

[Quality Specialist]

Hi All,
I've recently taken a new position with a small company as a Quality Specialist. I am the only quality personnel - no QM.
This company is certified to 3 standards, one of which is ISO17025. I started here last year the first of September and two days after I began came the 1 day surveillance audit for ISO 17025 (2021) - we passed just fine. They had a full assessment audit in 2020. Now we are looking at another audit coming in the end of August which I was just informed will be a full reassessment audit.

I thought that typically, you get certified for a 3-year period and then for the next two years, you have 2 surveillance audits before the next recertification. Not sure but I think that's the way it is/was with the AS9100D external audits at my previous company. Is this the sequence for ISO 17025 external audits ->recertification then 1 surveillance audits, then back to another recertification?

 

[Jen Kirley]

Hello Quality Specialist,

You didn't mention who you are accredited with, but I expect their schemes are the same or very nearly so based on their being accredited. A2LA has an informative document posted on its A2LA Public Documents page, titled I105 - Typical Steps in Preparing for the Accreditation Process. It explains the accreditation cycle, among other things.

I am not affiliated with A2LA.

 

[Quality Specialist]

Jen, sorry, they are accredited with ANAB. I will look into the links you provided, thank you.

 

[Jim Wynne]

Your best source of information is the AB. 17025 accreditation follows a two-year cycle after the initial accreditation audit. In other words, your accreditation remains valid for two years, with surveillance audits in the off-years.

 

[Quality Specialist]

Jim, thanks. They are certified to AS9100D as well. Not sure but I think that standard has a different accreditation cycle, correct?

 

[Jim Wynne]

Jim, thanks. They are certified to AS9100D as well. Not sure but I think that standard has a different accreditation cycle, correct?

I'm pretty sure (but not certain) that AS9100 certification (not accreditation) is on a three-year cycle, with surveillance audits in the off-years.

 

[Cari Spears]

^That is correct. AS9100 is a 3-year cycle - certification, 2 years surveillance, re-certification, 2 years surveillance...

 

[Quality Specialist]

You two (Jim and Cari) have been a big help in clarifying these crazy cycles. Very much appreciated taking the time to respond!

 

[Jen Kirley]

Jen, sorry, they are accredited with ANAB. I will look into the links you provided, thank you.

Please follow Jim's advice then. Certificate cycles tend to be consistent for registrars within ANAB, but direct contact is your best idea. You should form a relationship with them (your registrar(s) in any case.

 

[Quality Specialist]

Please follow Jim's advice then. Certificate cycles tend to be consistent for registrars within ANAB, but direct contact is your best idea. You should form a relationship with them (your registrar(s) in any case.

Yes, I've only been at this job for 6 months and they had a high turnover before me in the last year so need to establish new relationships with all the registrars for the three standards that they are certified to. I'm the only employee in the quality department and a quality specialist - not a QM.