Preparation for 17025 Laboratory Accreditation

Corporate laboratories or third-party testing facilities must comply with CNAS recognition rules, guidelines, and related application instructions when conducting laboratory recognition activities. They must demonstrate that their quality management activities meet CNAS laboratory recognition requirements and that their technical capability levels also meet the standards. When undertaking laboratory recognition projects, adequate preparations should be made for the capabilities of personnel involved, equipment and facility management, and environmental requirements, in accordance with the following points.

1. The quality system framework established must comply with the requirements of CNAS accreditation standards.

Before applying for laboratory accreditation, the institution must thoroughly adjust and plan the laboratory, define the laboratory management, determine the scope of work and application. The quality manager and staff should attend relevant training for laboratory accreditation and obtain internal auditor certificates. The laboratory should re-establish a set of related system documents such as the Quality Manual, Procedure Documents, and Operation Instructions, ensuring the effective operation of the laboratory's actual management system. These system documents should effectively support the laboratory in achieving a technical capability level consistent with CNAS requirements.

2. Full Participation in Laboratory Accreditation

All laboratory staff must fully recognize and acknowledge the importance of recognition, learn and deeply understand the contents and requirements of the system documents, and accurately interpret the connotations of the laboratory recognition criteria and relevant application instructions. Through organizing comprehensive training for all staff, ensure that everyone involved in the application for laboratory recognition is proficient in recognition elements and familiar with the recognition process.

2. Each level of personnel is responsible for their respective duties.

Prior to laboratory accreditation, it is crucial to clearly define the responsibilities of each position, which serves as the foundation for the establishment of the CNAS system. Clearly define the qualifications and job responsibilities of the laboratory management, authorized signatories, internal auditors, supervisors, key position delegates, equipment personnel, and others. Assess and authorize individuals who require authorization. Throughout the entire 17025 laboratory accreditation process, all personnel should be aware of their job responsibilities, and ensure thorough and effective communication among them to ensure an orderly flow of work across positions.

4. Actively practice and summarize

In compliance with recognized standards, the management system must be in operation for over 6 months prior to submitting a laboratory accreditation application. Before the formal application for laboratory accreditation review, during the trial operation phase of the laboratory management system, internal audits, simulated on-site reviews, and repeated testing of accreditation projects are conducted to promptly refine system documents, revise and supplement various management systems. This ensures that the established system documents are genuinely integrated into the laboratory's operations, facilitating the effective conduct of laboratory accreditation.