The ISO/IEC 17025 specifies the general requirements for laboratories to demonstrate their competence, impartiality and consistent operation. It enables any organization to ensure that they maintain the benchmark for quality and accuracy of all testing and calibration done. The certification is a testament to their trustworthiness and only works to promote collaboration between organizations at a national as well as international level.
It is crucial for laboratories and the tests they perform to be of a high standard. There must be a high benchmark to be met for companies that perform laboratory testing and calibration. Without the assurance of quality, other companies or individuals will not cooperate with the laboratory. Thus, an ISO certification verifying the laboratory will bolster the confidence of the laboratory as well as any companies working with the laboratory.
The certification is an indicator of whether a laboratory adheres to all the requirements for its optimal operation. The certification is an assurance to the public as well as potential future partners. It also promotes confidence in a company’s work, thereby facilitating partnership on a national as well as international scale. It is used mainly by testing and calibration laboratories. However, this certification is applicable to any organization performing laboratory activities.
The accredited personnel are qualified for the certification of companies that follow the guidelines for certification. Management Consultant Mr Roshan Shrestha is an accredited reviewer of companies for the ISO/IEC 17025 certification. He is qualified to review companies seeking certification and help them meet the criteria for certification. In addition to reviewing, he also provides the necessary training for companies to achieve the certification. He also provides consultation to companies so they can set realistic goals for the improvement of their management systems. This will consequently help them achieve the certification and the credibility it holds.
The certification is in place to not only ensure the quality of tests but also the management and administration of the company. For a company to be certified, it needs a wellrounded management system for optimization of its resources. The administrative and technical operations carried out should also be of a high standard. The systematic operation of administrative and technical bodies contribute to the competence of a company. With a good management system to oversee the worikng of the technical and the administrative aspects of the company, it can get to a standard for ISO certification.