Why use an A2LA ISO 17025 Accredited Lab?

What Should You Consider In a Calibration Laboratory?
When selecting a laboratory to fulfill your calibration needs, you need to be sure they can supply you with accurate and reliable results. The technical competence of a laboratory depends on a number of factors. Technically competent laboratories will have all of the following elements fully developed:

ISO 17025 Insures Technical Competence

• All Calibrate, Inc. employees work from most current SOPs and QAPs ONLY.
• Eliminates “out of specification” work.
• Eliminates confusion and misunderstandings.
• Requires an organized system of communication, training, and record keeping, all of which are “hall marks” of a well run company.
   

• All data is reviewed for accuracy before release to the customer. This eliminates unnecessary concern, review and time on behalf of the customer.
• All data is secured through our three levels (minimal) of data storage: Level 1 is the reps home office, Level 2 is the main computer at the home office, and level 3 is the CD format each data file is copied to and stored in a locked and secured environment.
• Data is periodically reviewed through internal audits to insure quality and conformance to Calibrate, Inc. SOPs.

• All Calibrate, Inc. suppliers are accredited to ISO 9000. As part of our accreditation to ISO 17025 we can only use vendors that are accredited and all must be interviewed to determine that they meet the standard.
• Calibrate, Inc. follows a First In First Out program for all parts used in the repair and service of pipettes.
• Calibrate, Inc. uses Genuine Gilson Parts.
• The Calibrate, Inc. batch numbering system insures quality control.
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• Calibrate, Inc. maintains at least two sets of SI through NIST Traceable Measurement and Test Equipment, computers and peripherals, for immediate shipment in the event of equipment failure in the field.
• All equipment failures are thoroughly investigated to determine what impact, if any, the failure had on customer data.
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• All measurement and test equipment undergoes installation qualification prior to use.
• All measurement and test equipment is calibrated by third party accredited vendors to insure SI through NIST traceability .
• Complete historical equipment logs are maintained for each item of measurement and test equipment.
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• The Calibrate, Inc. Quality Assurance department performs internal audits of the Calibration Service, Operations and Supply, and Communications Departments to insure continued compliance with ISO 17025.
• Quality Assurance systems are reviewed to insure continued relevance.
• The Calibrate, Inc. Quality Assurance department is available to all of Calibrate, Inc. customers to insure compliance with customer internal SOPs regarding calibration.
• The Calibrate, Inc. Quality Assurance Manual is available in PDF format to Calibrate, Inc. customers.
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• All Calibrate, Inc. employees receive ongoing training in Quality Assurance Procedures and Standard Operation Procedures.
• All members of the Calibrate, Inc. Calibration Service Department participate in a comprehensive 3 month training program and must demonstrate expertise in pipette calibration and the Calibrate, Inc. Quality Assurance System before they may be granted Approved Signatory status and work independently.
• Training records are available to customers upon request.
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• The Calibrate, Inc. Environmental Health and Safety Manual, including MSDS, is available to customers upon request.
• All Calibrate, Inc. employees are trained in Health and Safety.
• Calibrate, Inc. adheres to all customer safety rules, and participates in customer sponsored Safety Training.
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• Calibrate, Inc. provides round the clock support to the Calibration Service personnel in the field.
• Calibrate, Inc. proprietary software improvements and revisions undergo extensive validation.
• Validation studies are available to customers upon request.
• Calibrate, Inc. may customize its software to meet the customer’s internal requirements.
• All Calibration Certificates and Test Methods meet and exceed the requirements of ISO 17025.
• Measurement Uncertainty Data is collected on a routine basis from all Calibration Service Department representatives, and that information is provided to the customer with the Calibration Certificate.
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To learn more about ISO 17025 Accreditation, and how our accreditation can help your organization, please visit the A2LA web site.