Reporting of Results and Calibration Certificates

Purpose

To define the content, preparation, review, authorisation, issue, distribution, amendment and withdrawal of calibration certificates and test reports so that results are reported accurately, clearly, unambiguously and objectively with all the information required by ISO/IEC 17025 and the accreditation body.

What is inside

10 sections, about 4 pages when printed.

1. 1. Purpose
2. 2. Scope
3. 3. References
4. 4. Definitions
5. 5. Responsibilities
6. 6. Procedure
7. Records generated by this procedure
8. Monitoring and performance indicators
9. Assessment readiness notes
10. Related documents

Records it generates

Applying this procedure produces the following records, which are the evidence an assessor samples.

• –Certificate register
• –Certificate review checklists
• –Issued certificates (masters)
• –Amendment and reissue records
• –Records of opinions given by dialogue
• –Distribution records

What an assessor looks for

The document closes with these points, so you can check your own practice before someone else does.

• –Checking a sample of certificates for every 7.8.2 and 7.8.4 element, the symbol, the uncertainty statement and the decision rule.
• –Comparing certificate values with the worksheet and reference certificates.
• –Confirming the signatory was authorised for that discipline on that date and did an independent review (CHK-03 completed).
• –Following an amendment from FRM-48 to the amended certificate and the withdrawn original.
• –Looking for interval recommendations or misleading accreditation claims on labels and certificates.

Before you use it

• Replace every square-bracket token, starting with [LABORATORY NAME], [ADDRESS] and [EFFECTIVE DATE]. The full token list is in GD-01 Read Me First.
• Have the content technically reviewed against how your laboratory actually works, then approved by the responsible manager before it becomes a controlled document.
• Update the Word fields after editing so the table of contents and page numbers are correct: select all, then press F9.
• Record the document in your own document register and set its review date.
• Delete the assessment readiness notes if you do not want them in your controlled version; they are guidance for you, not requirements.

Related documents

• QM-01

  Quality Manual

  Top-level description of the management system against every clause of ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

• SOP-29

  Decision Rules and Statements of Conformity

  Selecting, agreeing, applying and reporting decision rules, guard bands and conformity statements.

• SOP-31

  Use of the Accreditation Symbol and Reference to Accreditation

  Rules for using the accreditation body's symbol and claiming accredited status on certificates and marketing.

• FRM-48

  Certificate Amendment and Reissue Record

  Control of amended, reissued or withdrawn certificates.

• FRM-29

  Calibration Certificate Template

  Certificate layout containing every element required by clause 7.8.2 and 7.8.4.

• CHK-01

  ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Gap Analysis and Self-Assessment

  Clause-by-clause self-assessment with evidence, gap and action columns.

• CHK-03

  Calibration Certificate Review Checklist

  Review gate for every certificate before authorisation and issue.

• SOP-01

  Control of Documents

  Creation, review, approval, issue, change and withdrawal of internal and external documents.