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Our offices will be closed for the holiday season from December 25, 2025, to January 11, 2026. For urgent matters, please contact support@pecb.com.
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Critical sectors such as food safety, environmental protection, healthcare, manufacturing, and international trade depend on accurate testing, calibration, and analytical results generated by laboratories. As organizations increasingly depend on laboratory data to support strategic and operational decisions, trust in measurement outcomes has become essential.
Confidence in laboratory services is built on the accuracy and reliability of results. Laboratory accreditation based on ISO/IEC 17025 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories — is key to this trust. The standard provides a globally accepted framework for demonstrating technical competence, ensuring the delivery of reliable results that support regulatory compliance and safety, while minimizing errors and inefficiencies.
In addition to technical competence, the standard focuses on impartiality, measurement traceability, risk-based approaches, and continual improvement. Implementing ISO/IEC 17025 strengthens trust among clients and other stakeholders, supports compliance with applicable legal and regulatory obligations, and ensures the accuracy of data used in decision-making, product safety, and public health.
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation gives laboratories significant advantages. It reduces the need for duplicate testing and promotes the international acceptance of test and calibration results. This brings cost savings and removes technical barriers to global trade. Recognized by regulators and industry stakeholders, ISO/IEC 17025 serves as a worldwide benchmark, strengthening credibility and building international confidence.
Accredited laboratories prove their ability to regularly deliver accurate, valid, and reliable results, supported by competent personnel, validated methodologies, and controlled processes.
Accredited laboratories are more competitive in bids and tenders that require independent verification. Public directories maintained by accreditation bodies further improve laboratory visibility and credibility among potential clients.
Accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 reduces uncertainty in decisions related to health, safety, and environmental protection. Clients can rely on results produced within a strong quality framework that emphasizes consistency and accuracy.
The standard highlights the importance of protecting customer information, including electronic data. Accredited laboratories are required to implement appropriate confidentiality and data protection measures to mitigate operational and reputational risks.
To achieve conformity with ISO/IEC 17025, laboratories must fulfill a variety of technical and operational requirements, such as:
These requirements ensure that laboratory outputs are technically reliable, traceable, and suitable for their intended use.
ISO/IEC 17025 implementers possess strong expertise in both management and technical aspects of the standard. They are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining the laboratory management system and monitoring readiness for accreditation.
Assessors are qualified professionals with hands-on experience in testing and calibration activities. They conduct assessments, evaluate conformity, document findings, and oversee corrective actions while maintaining confidentiality and professional integrity.
Technical experts provide specialized knowledge to support assessment teams in evaluating complex laboratory activities, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of competence.
Many laboratories have used ISO 9001 to manage quality processes. Although it focuses on quality management system requirements, ISO 9001 does not evaluate the technical competence necessary for laboratory testing and calibration activities. ISO/IEC 17025 addresses this gap by integrating management system requirements with technical criteria, making it the most appropriate standard for evaluating laboratory capability and performance.
Laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 may also maintain ISO 9001 certification to address non-technical functions such as human resources, communication, marketing, training, and administrative operations. Used together, these standards provide a complete framework for quality management and operational effectiveness.
Testing and calibration activities support organizations in different ways, including:
Calibration laboratories, in particular, ensure that measurements are traceable to international standards, enabling consistency and reliability across global markets. Many laboratories conduct both testing and calibration activities and may obtain accreditation for both scopes under ISO/IEC 17025.
PECB supports laboratories at every stage of their ISO/IEC 17025 journey by offering internationally recognized training, certification, and professional development services. Through its ISO/IEC 17025 training courses, PECB helps laboratories and professionals gain a comprehensive understanding of ISO/IEC 17025. With extensive experience in Laboratory Management Systems based on ISO/IEC 17025, PECB supports organizations and professionals worldwide in strengthening competence, credibility, and international recognition.
Main ISO/IEC 17025 training courses:
About the Author
Vesa Hyseni is a Senior Content and Campaigns Specialist at PECB. She is responsible for creating up-to-date content, conducting market research, and providing insights about ISO standards. For any questions, feel free to reach out to her at support@pecb.com.
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