Evolution of the quality management system in the testing laboratories

Abstract

The quality management system, applied to the testing and calibration laboratories, follows the reference standard ISO/IEC 17025. The fulfillment of the requirements established allows the accreditation of the tests, which is a certification demonstrating that the laboratory is competent to generate technically valid results. The standard referred to in its new edition aligned its content to ISO 9001: 2015. Laboratories need to adjust their activities according to the new requirements due to the introduction of significant changes, such as the incorporation of the process approach and risk management, which will require different training and behavior of the staff. The implementation of ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 promotes the improvement of the management system gaining professionalism, organization of activities and management of associated risks.