What are the current Calibration Standards for Calibration Laboratories

Douglas E. Purdy

Quite Involved in Discussions
#11
Hello Doug! :bigwave:

Ok... I'm a bit confused (which is not hard to do these days...:bonk:) :)

Are you performing calibrations yourself?

Or, are you looking for some type of criteria to hold external calibration vendors to?

(Sorry, not able to open your attachment at this time).

If you're talking about outside providers, Andy is correct. 17025 is a general standard requirement that most providers should comply with.

Then, you can have non-accredited providers, but have some level of evaluation/ scrutiny that you apply to them (traceability, documentation requirements, etc.).
BradM,

I look forward to your response when you are able to review my draft.

I do want to know if a calibration service can be accredited to ANSI Z540-3!?

Thanks!
Doug
 
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#12
BradM,

I look forward to your response when you are able to review my draft.

I do want to know if a calibration service can be accredited to ANSI Z540-3!?

Thanks!
Doug
Doug. I believe so, but I'm going to check tomorrow. I did a simple Google search and quite a few Z540 results turned up for labs who have, apparently, been accredited by A2LA and AClass to that requirement.

But let me find out from the right person...
 

Douglas E. Purdy

Quite Involved in Discussions
#13
Doug. I believe so, but I'm going to check tomorrow. I did a simple Google search and quite a few Z540 results turned up for labs who have, apparently, been accredited by A2LA and AClass to that requirement.

But let me find out from the right person...
Not to rush you, but I presume you are still waiting to hear from the right person concerning accreditation to ANSI Z540?

Thanks,
Doug
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#14
Wes,

Thanks! I was unemployed for 2 years and then under employed for 2 months before accepting a Quality Management position back here in the Chicagoland Area. I am trying to get my bearings as to what has been going on with the system standards for calibration. So any information would be helpful!

Doug
Hershal Brewer is our resident expert on everything to do with 17025 and calibration. He is usually busier than a cat with two mouse holes to watch, but he has always been gracious about answering direct questions in his field.

Call me sometime. Perhaps we can meet for lunch.
 

Hershal

Metrologist-Auditor
Staff member
Super Moderator
#15
Thanks for the kind words Wes. I down to only two mouse holes? Woo Hoo! Making progress!

Seriously, for a cal lab, there are three documents that you should have, and also for more nuts and bolts things there are others too.

The first three are the VIM, which is the Dictionary of General and Specific Terms in Metrology (title may be slightly different but it is the dictionary). You need the GUM which is Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. That is an ISO document, but the U.S. version is ANSI/NCSL Z540-2-1997. And you need to get ISO/IEC 17025:2005. Whether you seek accreditation or not, operating the lab per that standard makes lab management a bit easier.

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 is necessary if you are doing work for NASA, but currently is pretty much optional otherwise. Still, not a bad move. Accrediting Bodies (ABs) can include Z540.3 depending on body, but there is almost certainly an extra cost as extra time is required.

To the earlier question about ABs, yes, ABs are evaluated by theMutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) to ISO/IEC 17011, and Signatory status can be checked at the MRA websites, including www.ilac.org and www.aplac.org Also remember in the U.S. there are numerous signatory bodies. Some are dedicated like the police forensics one, but there are six that accredit cal labs. Those are: IAS, NVLAP, A2LA, L-A-B, ACLASS, and PJLA. Talk to all six before selecting one to do business with.

Other documents you find of value include The Metrology Handbook, available from ASQ. Also, for the technical aspects of the lab management including guidance on environments and so forth, go to www.ncsli.org and make sure you get the Recommended Practices (RPs). They are developed by the metrology industry to represent best practices.

Hope this helps.
 
#16
Not to rush you, but I presume you are still waiting to hear from the right person concerning accreditation to ANSI Z540?

Thanks,
Doug
Here is the reply I got:

"So to answer your question….sort of. People always say they are “accredited” to ANSI z540 as if they would be accredited to ISO 17025. Technically you claim “conformance” and not actually accreditation to z540. It is typical to be assessed against these requirements as an appendage to ISO 17025. Even companies that are audited to z540 tell people that they are accredited but technically speaking it is not true."
 
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