Measuring
instruments of manufacturers and service providers
have to be calibrated in order to allow correct
measurements. Accredited calibration laboratories
execute this task with the required precision and
traceability to the International System of Units
(SI).
In their daily life consumers depend on reliable
analyses and tests such as food product testing
(both from food manufacturing companies and catering
establishments), environmental testing, water
quality testing, testing of electrical appliances
and medical diagnostic analyses. Accredited testing
laboratories make these analysis and tests in a
reliable and consistent manner.
Testing and Calibration laboratory accreditation
requires conformance to the internationally accepted
standard MSA ISO/IEC 17025 (which defines general
requirements for the competence of testing and
calibration laboratories). This standards establish
management and technical requirements. These
standards may be purchased from
MCCAA or be viewed in the MCCAA premises.
In order to ensure
the quality of test and calibration results, the
laboratory has to monitor the validity of tests and
calibration undertaken. One of the methods to
perform this monitoring is by means of participation
in interlaboratory comparisons or proficiency
testing programmes. For further information
regards interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency
testing schemes, one may consult
the NAB-MALTA regulations on Proficiency Testing in
the Downloads section or
visit the links section.
Further
information regards the accreditation of
laboratories can be found at the ILAC
webpage. Of particular interest are the
following information documents:
Why use an accredited laboratory
Why become an accredited lab
How does using an accredited lab benefit
government and regulators
The advantages of being an accredited laboratory
Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique and Covering
Letter
The Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communique
on the Management Systems Requirements of ISO/IEC
17025:2005, General Requirements for the competence
of testing and calibration laboratories, was
originally signed on 18 June 2005. The Communique
was revised in January 2009 to refer to ISO
9001:2008 rather than ISO 9001:2000. It was
produced to relieve the confusion caused by the
perception that accredited laboratories do not
operate a recognised quality management system. The
Communique should be read in conjunction with the
covering letter dated 8 January 2009.
Download the comunique
Download the covering letter
Application forms for the accreditation of your
laboratory may be found in the
downloads section.
