Glossary · definition
Decision rule
A documented rule describing how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when stating conformity with a specification — for example simple acceptance, or guard banding that reduces the acceptance zone by the uncertainty.
See also:Measurement uncertaintyISO/IEC 17025
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Articles on Decision rule
Reporting results and statements of conformity (clause 7.8)
A certificate must carry defined identification, method, traceability and uncertainty information — and any pass/fail statement must name the decision rule.
What is a decision rule and why every certificate needs one
A decision rule states how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when declaring pass or fail against a tolerance. Simple acceptance, guard banding and non-binary statements are the common choices.
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.
Calibration certificate red flags
No uncertainty, no k, no traceability statement, 'pass' without a decision rule, a range you did not ask for, or an accreditation symbol missing where one was promised — each is a reason to query.