Before you start operating your laboratory, you need to be sure that your laboratory meets all the requirements needed. To be specific, the requirement that you need to follow is ISO 17025, an international standard that outlines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. If this is your first time hearing about this, continue to read this article.
What is the purpose of ISO 17025?
ISO 17025 is created to promote confidence in the results produced by the researchers at laboratories by providing a basis for accreditation bodies to assess laboratories more effectively. Furthermore, it is also applied to internal and external quality systems which should be in place to ensure the most logical result are produced consistently.
What are the requirements for ISO 17025?
In order to meet its standards, laboratories must demonstrate their capability, impartiality and competence through a range of activities such as:
- Proper Documentation
- Personnel Qualifications And Training
- Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
- Peer Review
- Assessments/Audits/External Inspection
Laboratories owners can also achieve the ISO 17025 certification by implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) that meets all requirements. By acquiring this certificate, it is evident that the laboratory is able to create accurate results accordantly to the ISO/EIC 17000 series of standards.
How to train staff following the ISO 17025 requirements?
- The key to establishing a sustainable system of industry-standard processes is ensuring that your employees, supervisors, and executives are knowledgeable and proficient in laboratory safety and quality practices.
- Provide many training programmes so that ISO 17025 compliance methods can be enhanced, rigorously enforced, and maintained.
- Encourage staff to keep consumer safety and legal requirements at the forefront of their work at all times.
What are the benefits of acquiring an ISO 17025 certificate?
First of all, the laboratory will be recognized as a reliable source of information and will have access to more opportunities in the scientific marketplace. This will increase the number of potential clients, regulators and other stakeholders for your laboratory.
Second of all, the certificate will also ensure that the laboratory maintains great communication with clients by providing detailed reports on test results and other related information. Consequently, this will help to build trust between the laboratory and the client and allow them to work together efficiently for the best possible outcome.
Conclusion
All in all, ISO 17025 is an important certificate that needed to be acquired by all laboratories owner of all sizes to ensure they are producing consistent and accurate results that meet the highest standards. It also helps to improvise confidence in laboratory results and increases all clients’ satisfaction level and ensures your laboratory stay competitive in the scientific marketplace. ISO 17025 not only sets the standard for good laboratory practice but also serves as an important symbol of quality that demonstrates the laboratory’s commitment to producing excellent results.