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Procedure · SOP-33

Calibration Interval Determination and Review

Setting and reviewing calibration intervals for reference standards and equipment using history and risk.

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Purpose

To define how the Laboratory establishes initial calibration intervals for its reference standards, working standards and measuring equipment, and reviews and adjusts those intervals on the basis of calibration history, intermediate checks, usage and risk, so that the probability of an item being out of tolerance while in use is kept acceptably low without unnecessary calibration cost.

What is inside

10 sections, about 3 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.

  • –Interval determination and review records
  • –Equipment register with intervals
  • –Annual equipment and interval review report

What an assessor looks for

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

  • –Asking for the basis of the interval of a reference standard and how drift history supports it.
  • –Checking that an out-of-tolerance finding led to interval review and the drift allowance in the budget.
  • –Looking for extensions granted without check data.
  • –Comparing intervals with the accreditation body's expectations for reference standards.

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

This is an original template published by ValiTrac. It does not reproduce the text of ISO/IEC 17025 or of any accreditation body publication, and it does not by itself confer or guarantee accreditation. Customise, review and approve it before use.