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Measurement Uncertainty for 17025 Accreditation

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Guest User Created:   Nov 07, 2024 Last commented:   Nov 13, 2024

Measurement Uncertainty for 17025 Accreditation

Hello! I just took your Estimating Measurement Uncertainty in ISO 17025 class and wanted to confirm something with you. Our laboratories use a lot of standard published and well recognized methods in our areas of testing (Animal Feed, Fertilizer, etc). I just wanted to make sure that I heard you correctly... is it correct that those specific methods do not need measurement uncertainty calculations? If we have a method that is identical to the published method, just written in our format (giving proper credit and reference to the original published method in the document, of course), we don't need MU?

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Tracey Evans Nov 13, 2024

As far as ISO 17025 requirements go, there are situations where a lab does not need to evaluate and estimate MU if a published standard method is followed.

That is if you are using a standard published method or a well-recognized test method  
and if the method specifies limits to the values of the major sources of uncertainty 
and if the method specifies the form of presentation of the calculated results 
and if the laboratory follows the test method without deviation  
and if the laboratory follows reporting instructions. i,e you control the risks

Even if the above criteria are met, besides ISO 17025 requirements you need to fulfill any client and regulatory requirements; and those specified by the accreditation body (these could be best practices enforced by a professional association or a particular program).

I suggest you confirm with your accreditation body and users of the test results. For example, a client may be part of an agricultural quality scheme that mandates the MU be below a limit for contaminants in animal feed; or there may be local regulations for fertilizers that specify a decision rule including MU (e.g result plus MU must be below the threshold limit to pass).

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