Competent personnel
Education, qualifications, training, technical knowledge, skills and experience are defined for roles that influence laboratory results. Duties and authority are communicated, and competence is documented.
Quality system / ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Quality is built into the people, tools and records.
These controls protect sample identity, method suitability, result validity and the integrity of the report you receive.
From control to confidence
What the system means for your sample.
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01Identify
Sample identity and condition remain visible from receipt through reporting.
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02Control
Competent people, suitable facilities and maintained equipment support the work.
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03Verify
Checks, traceability and technical review protect the validity of the result.
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04Record
Documents preserve what was done, by whom, when and under which requirements.
01 / Resource controls
Quality manual clause 6
The controls behind every result.
Personnel, facilities, equipment, traceability and suppliers are managed together—not as isolated checks.
Controlled facilities
Environmental conditions are suitable for the work, monitored and reviewed. Laboratory temperature and humidity are recorded twice daily, with requirements also applied when work occurs outside permanent facilities.
Fit-for-purpose equipment
Equipment is selected, uniquely identified, calibrated, verified and maintained. Access is controlled, status is visible and records preserve service, damage, correction and performance history.
Metrological traceability
Measurement results are linked through a documented, unbroken calibration chain to appropriate references, including SI units, competent calibration laboratories or certified reference materials.
External providers
Products and services that can affect laboratory activities are evaluated, monitored and re-evaluated. Requirements and acceptance criteria are communicated before use.
Available resources
People, facilities, equipment, systems and support services are planned so the laboratory can perform its activities consistently and protect the validity of results.
02 / Management controls
Quality manual clause 8
A system that learns and improves.
Policies become dependable practice through controlled documents, retained evidence, assigned action and planned review.
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Manual 8.2–8.4
Document and retain
Policies, objectives, procedures and records are approved, identifiable, available at point of use and protected through storage, backup, retrieval, retention and disposal controls. Changes remain traceable and obsolete documents are prevented from unintended use.
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Manual 8.5
Address risk and opportunity
Risks and opportunities are considered, proportionate actions are integrated into the management system, and effectiveness is evaluated with the validity of results in view.
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Manual 8.6
Listen and improve
Positive and negative customer feedback, procedure reviews, data, proficiency testing and system performance are used to identify practical improvements.
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Manual 8.7
Correct causes, not symptoms
Nonconformities are reviewed and analysed, causes are addressed, and appropriate corrective action—including procedure changes or additional training—is checked to prevent recurrence.
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Manual 8.8
Audit the system
Trained, qualified personnel conduct planned internal audits within a 12-month cycle to assess conformity with laboratory and ISO/IEC 17025 requirements.
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Manual 8.9
Review at the top
Top management reviews the system at planned intervals for continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Inputs, decisions and resulting actions are recorded.
Controlled evidence
What the system leaves behind.
- Personnel training and competence records
- Environmental monitoring records
- Equipment and calibration histories
- Supplier evaluations
- Risk and opportunity actions
- Audit, corrective action and review records
Quality support