Accreditation of a calibration laboratory means the assessment of conformity of the laboratory’s quality management system with the criteria of the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. Accreditation means the recognition by the national accreditation body of the laboratory’s competence for the calibrations specified in the Certificate of Accreditation.
What is the accreditation based on?
- ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018
- MPA 10-01-.. Guidelines for accreditation, which are based on the interpretation to the application of standard ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018
Other documents related to the accreditation process
All documents are available on the web site of the Czech Accreditation Institute, public service company (CAI).
Time scale and cost of assessment
The cost of the assessment is paid by the applicant. The rules are set out in the document:.
- MPA 10-01-.. Annex 2
What are the other requirements for the accreditation of calibration laboratories?
Direct monitoring of an applicant’s activity on site and assessment of calibrations performed under operation (so called „witness auditing“) is an integral part of the assessment of applicants.
The selection of assessed calibration procedures performed under standard operation must be representative enough, based on risks assessed and their smallest number must follow the scope of the required accreditation (see MPA 00-01-.. Annex 1). Before the certificate of accreditation is issued, calibration laboratory must succeed in one PT/ILC or bilateral comparison with ČMI laboratories for each calibration field, at least.
Is the accreditation of the laboratories recognised abroad?
CAI is a full member and represents the Czech Republic in international organisations engaged in the accreditation of calibration laboratories:
- European co-operation for Accreditation – EA
- International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation – ILAC
Within these international organisations, national accreditation bodies conclude multilateral agreements on mutual recognition of the results of the accreditation bodies’ activities; calibration laboratories are covered by:
- EA MLA (Multilateral Agreement)
- ILAC MRA (Mutual Recognition Arrangement)
CAI is the signatory of these agreements in their full scopes.
Whom can you turn with a request for further information?
Accreditation program manager and his deputy for calibration laboratories
Martin Valenta, 272 096 199, 702 124 744, valentam@cai.cz
Zdena Drdova, 272 096 219, 724 797 766, drdovaz@cai.cz
FOR THE LIST OF ALL VALID GUIDELINES (MPA), CAI SERVICES PRICE LIST, LIST OF ALL ACCREDITED ENTITIES AND OTHER INFORMATION SEE www.cai.cz.