Checklist · 14 items
Choosing a calibration laboratory checklist
What to verify on the scope, what to agree in the order, and what to check when the certificate comes back.
Based on: ISO/IEC 17025:2017 · ILAC-P10 · ILAC-P14
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Accreditation and scope
Agree before ordering
On receipt
General technical guidance written against the cited sources. Adapt it to your procedures; it is not a substitute for the applicable standard or a qualified reviewer's judgement.
Background reading
How to choose a calibration laboratory
Check the accreditation scope for the exact quantity, range and uncertainty you need; then evaluate turnaround, certificate quality and how they handle out-of-tolerance findings.
How to read a scope of accreditation
A scope lists, per quantity, the range, the calibration and measurement capability (CMC) and the method. Reading it tells you whether the laboratory can certify what you need — and at what uncertainty.
Questions to ask before sending equipment for calibration
Points, tolerance, decision rule, as-found reporting, adjustment policy, turnaround and packaging — settle them in the purchase order and the certificate will be usable.