ISO 17025 is the main standard used by testing and calibration laboratories. Originally known as ISO/IEC Guide 25, and issued by the international organization for standardization in 1999. It was first published in 2001, and revised in 2005.

 

 

There are two main sections, Management and Technical Requirements, Management requirements are related to the operation and effectiveness of the quality management system of the laboratory. Technical requirements address the competence of the laboratory’s staff,, methodology, and equipment used for testing or calibration.

The overall objective is to implement a quality system aimed at improving a laboratory’s ability to consistently produce valid results.