Frequently asked questions
Equipment management

Do I have to subcontract my calibrations/verifications to an accredited laboratory?

In principle, calibration conformity rests on four pillars. It must be possible to demonstrate the suitability of the calibration technique, the traceability of the standards used to international standards, and the appropriateness of the stated calibration uncertainty. It must also be ensured that the entity performing the calibration complies with the requirements of ISO 17025.

COFRAC, the French accreditation body, is responsible for checking these points, so that users of the services of accredited laboratories don't have to do it themselves. If the laboratory is not accredited, the customer should, in principle, check that the four conditions described above are met.

In practice, and when laboratory accreditation is not an explicit...