50+ Useful terms for ISO 17025

ISO 17025 is an international standard that outlines the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

Here are 50+ terms associated with ISO 17025 along with brief definitions:

1. Accreditation: Formal recognition by an accrediting body that a laboratory is competent to perform specific tests or calibrations.
2. Audit: Systematic examination to determine whether activities comply with planned arrangements and whether these arrangements are implemented effectively.
3. Calibration: Comparison of a measurement device with a standard to determine its accuracy.
4. Competence: The ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results.
5. Conformity Assessment: The process of evaluating whether a product or service meets specified requirements.
6. Control Chart: A statistical tool used to monitor and control a process over time.
7. Corrective Action: Action taken to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity or other undesirable situation.
8. Data Integrity: The accuracy and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle.
9. Deviation: Departure from the documented test or calibration procedure.
10. Documented Information: Information required to be controlled and maintained by an organization.
11. Equipment Validation: The process of confirming that equipment is fit for its intended purpose.
12. Incident: Any event that is not part of the standard operation of a laboratory and that influences the quality of its work.
13. Interlaboratory Comparison: The comparison of test or calibration results among two or more laboratories.
14. Measurement Uncertainty: The parameter, associated with the result of a measurement, that characterizes the dispersion of the values that could reasonably be attributed to the measurand.
15. Nonconformity: Failure to meet one or more specified requirements.
16. Observation: Statement of fact made during an audit and substantiated by objective evidence.
17. Performance Evaluation: Process of assessing the competence of a laboratory.
18. Proficiency Testing: Determination of laboratory performance by means of interlaboratory comparisons.
19. Quality Manual: Documented statement of the laboratory’s quality policy and operating procedures.
20. Range of Accreditation: The scope of activities for which accreditation is granted.
21. Reference Material: Material, sufficiently homogeneous and stable with respect to one or more specified properties, used for calibration or testing.
22. Sampling Plan: A plan that describes the methods and techniques used to obtain a sample.
23. Traceability: The property of the result of a measurement whereby it can be related to a reference through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations.
24. Validation: Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that the requirements for a specific intended use or application have been fulfilled.
25. Witnessing: The act of observing a test or calibration being carried out by the laboratory.
26. Zero Calibration: Calibration using a reference with a known output of zero.
27. Measurement Standard: A reference standard used for the calibration of measuring instruments.
28. Uncertainty Budget: A detailed and itemized list of all uncertainty components.
29. Scope of Work: The range of activities or services covered by a testing or calibration laboratory.
30. Proficiency Testing Provider: An organization that provides proficiency testing services to laboratories.
31. Proficiency Test Sample: A sample distributed to laboratories for proficiency testing.
32. Repeatability: The precision obtained when a single operator measures the same sample multiple times.
33. Reproducibility: The precision obtained when measurements are made under different conditions by different operators.
34. Quality Policy: A statement of the laboratory’s commitment to quality.
35. Evaluation of Measurement Uncertainty: The process of estimating the uncertainty of measurement results.
36. Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS): Software used to manage and organize laboratory data and information.
37. Out-of-Specification (OOS): A result that falls outside the specifications or acceptance criteria.
38. Quality Control: Procedures and activities used to monitor and control the quality of laboratory processes and results.
39. Risk Assessment: Systematic process of evaluating the likelihood and consequences of events that may adversely affect the laboratory’s objectives.
40. Measurement Traceability: The ability to trace measurement results to a recognized standard.
41. Sampling Error: The difference between a population value and the value obtained from a sample.
42. Measurement Interval: The range of values within which a measurement is expected to lie.
43. Verification: Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled.
44. Master Calibration Schedule: A schedule outlining the planned calibrations of all measurement equipment.
45. Recovery: The degree to which a measured value approaches the true value after a known error has been introduced.
46. Measurement Procedure: Documented instructions for performing a measurement.
47. Validation Protocol: A document that outlines the approach and criteria for the validation of a process.
48. Sampling Bias: A systematic error introduced by the sampling process that results in a non-representative sample.
49. Calibration Interval: The time between successive calibrations of a measuring instrument.
50. Matrix Effect: The influence of the sample matrix on the accuracy and precision of a measurement.

Bonus terms

51. Audit Trail: A chronological record that reconstructs and examines the sequence of activities in a system or process.
52. Batch Testing: Testing or calibration performed on a group of samples processed together.
53. Client: The entity or person that requests laboratory services.
54. Confidentiality: Ensuring that information about the client and their work is protected from unauthorized disclosure.
55. Determination Limit: The lowest quantity of the measurand that can be reliably detected but not necessarily quantified.
56. Equipment Maintenance: Activities performed to keep measuring equipment in a state of compliance with requirements.
57. Fitness for Purpose: The capability of a laboratory’s activities to achieve the intended result.
58. Handling of Test Items: Procedures for the receipt, storage, and transportation of test or calibration items.
59. Impartiality: The quality of being objective, unbiased, and free from conflicts of interest.
60. Instrumentation: All devices used for measurements, including measuring instruments and supporting equipment.
61. Key Comparison: An international comparison of primary measurement standards.
62. Measurement Standardization: Ensuring measurements are consistent and comparable across different laboratories.
63. Notification of Changes: Informing the accrediting body of any changes in the laboratory’s organization or activities.
64. On-site Assessment: Evaluation of a laboratory’s competence by visiting and inspecting its facilities.
65. Personnel Competence: The collective knowledge, skills, and abilities of laboratory personnel.
66. Quality Control Sample: A sample used to verify the accuracy and precision of test or calibration results.
67. Risk Management: The systematic application of policies, procedures, and practices to manage laboratory risks.
68. Statistical Analysis: Application of statistical methods to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions.
69. Technical Record: Documentation that provides evidence of the execution of a test or calibration.
70. Unaccredited Calibration: Calibration performed by a laboratory that is not formally recognized by an accrediting body.
71. Validation Master Plan: A document that outlines the overall strategy for the validation of a process or system.
72. Weighing Balance Verification: Confirming the accuracy and precision of a weighing balance.
73. Zero Error: The difference between the instrument reading and the true value when the input is zero.
74. Measurement Range: The span of values over which a measuring instrument is intended to operate.
75. Proficiency Testing Scheme: A program that provides samples for laboratories to analyze and compare their results.
76. Reagent Blank: A sample that contains all the components of the test except the analyte.
77. Sampling Point: The location or stage in a process where a sample is collected.
78. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): A detailed step-by-step guide to perform a specific task or operation.
79. Test Item Identification: Ensuring that test or calibration items are uniquely identified throughout the process.
80. Traceability Chain: The documented series of comparisons that links a measurement result to a reference standard.
81. Quality System: The organizational structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes, and resources for implementing quality management.
82. Customer Satisfaction: The perception of the customer regarding the fulfillment of their needs and expectations.
83. Interference: The influence of one substance on the measurement of another.
84. Measurement Facility: The physical location where measurement activities are conducted.
85. Proficiency Testing Material: A substance with known properties distributed to laboratories for proficiency testing.
86. Report of Test or Calibration Results: Document presenting the results of tests or calibrations performed by the laboratory.
87. Sampling Plan: A plan that describes the methods and techniques used to obtain a sample.
88. Verification of Methods: Confirming that the selected method is suitable for the intended use.
89. Audit Finding: A result of the evaluation of audit evidence against audit criteria.
90. Batch Number: A unique identifier assigned to a group of test or calibration items processed together.