ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is the international standard that specifies general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation to this standard signals to clients, regulators, and international trading partners that your laboratory's results can be trusted.
Who Needs ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation?
Any laboratory that performs testing or calibration and wishes to demonstrate technical competence formally should consider accreditation. This includes:
- Food and beverage testing laboratories
- Medical and clinical diagnostic labs
- Environmental monitoring and analysis labs
- Construction materials testing labs
- Calibration service providers
- Forensic science laboratories
Key Requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017
The standard is structured around five major clause groups:
1. General Requirements — covering impartiality and confidentiality obligations.
2. Structural Requirements — defining the legal entity, management structure, and clearly defined roles.
3. Resource Requirements — personnel competence, facilities, equipment, and measurement traceability.
4. Process Requirements — method selection, validation, sampling, handling of test items, technical records, and reporting.
5. Management System Requirements — either Option A (documented management system) or Option B (ISO 9001 alignment).
The UKICB Assessment Process
UKICB follows a rigorous, transparent five-stage assessment process for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation:
- Application Review: Document submission and preliminary scope definition.
- Document Assessment: Desk review of quality manual, procedures, and records.
- On-site Assessment: Physical audit and witness of testing activities.
- Technical Committee Review: Independent expert evaluation of all findings.
- Accreditation Decision: Formal grant and certificate issuance.
Maintaining Accreditation
Accreditation is not a one-time event. UKICB conducts annual surveillance assessments to ensure ongoing compliance. A full reassessment is conducted every four years. Laboratories must notify UKICB of any significant changes that could impact their technical competence or scope.
