Last Updated on
January 20, 2023
By
Excedr
As a laboratory scientist or researcher, you often work with reference materials for method calibration, validation, general research, and quality control. The question is: How do you determine if the reference standard you use in lab experiments is completely reliable and able to be trusted?
Reliability in reference material is essential; any fault in the reference material can cause major imbalances and inaccuracies in your experiments. In severe cases, you may even have to start all over, losing a great deal of time, resources, and money.
This kind of loss is mitigated through ISO 17034:2016, an international standard created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The standard lays out detailed requirements for the manufacturers of reference materials to ensure their product’s technical competence, consistency, reliability, property value, and traceability. In this case, reference material pertains not just to typical textbooks or source material, but to materials that are more stable and homogeneous than other properties; these are properties that are used during all stages of the measurement process, including:
Earlier, these requirements were covered in ISO guide 34:2009, but it lacked some crucial procedures and requirements. Therefore, the ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) joined forces with the ISO Committee on Reference Materials (REMCO) to develop the new ISO 17034:2016 accreditation.
The standard consists of a general quality assurance procedure for producers and providers of certified reference materials (CRM). It is also used by accreditation bodies to assess third-party reference material producers (RMPs).
The purpose of this article is to explain all aspects of international standard ISO 17034:2016, how it is different from other standards, such as ISO/IEC 17025 and 9001, and its advantages for certified organizations.
Please note that the information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only. We do not offer certification or accreditation services. If you are interested in obtaining certification or accreditation, we recommend contacting the relevant program directly.
The general ISO 17034 requirements for reference material producers (RMP) to achieve the accreditation certificate include:
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed several standard quality assurance procedures for product manufacturers. Together, the standards ensure that users and customers receive quality and reliable products. Furthermore, it also assists the organizations in improving their quality management systems and the competence of their staff.
In addition to many others, the three most important certifications for standard manufacturers are ISO 9001, ISO 17025, and ISO 17034. These certifications are often combined, conflated, or otherwise closely associated with one another. They are also referred to as three levels of ISO accreditation. Let’s review each in a little more detail.
ISO 17034 certification shows that a company or manufacturer can provide certified reference materials that have been subjected to metrologically valid procedures.
This standard enables the certified organizations to operate competently and gain consumers’ confidence in their products. Additionally, it offers many other advantages, including:
An ISO 17034 accreditation enables reference material producers (RMPs) to ensure the quality of their reference standards and measuring instruments. Further, it also scaffolds trust among consumers for the quality and reliability of the reference materials. Obtaining an ISO 17034 certification benefits RMPs by increasing their reputation, credibility, and demonstrating their expertise in producing certified reference standards.
Excedr helps organizations qualify for accreditation requirements by procuring cutting-edge equipment on lease. Our tailored and flexible leasing program allows researchers, founders, and entrepreneurs to outfit their labs with the right equipment needed for accreditation standards.
Through our program, labs can avoid the huge expense of purchasing individual equipment outright and invest more time and money into obtaining accreditation certificates and high-quality results.
With Excedr’s leasing program, laboratories can access the latest equipment without impeding their budget. By leasing the equipment you need, you can save on upfront costs, speed up your research and development, and reach milestones faster. Contact us today to learn more.