TS EN ISO/IEC 17025

TS EN ISO/IEC 17025 is the standard that sets out general requirements used to assess the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. It includes sampling activities and also applies to testing and calibration carried out using laboratory-developed methods and non-standard methods. In that sense, the document addresses not only technical performance but also the organizational and managerial conditions that support reliable laboratory results.

What laboratory competence means in practice

In general technical terms, competence brings together trained personnel, suitable methods, traceable equipment, an understanding of measurement uncertainty, and the ability to produce consistent results. In testing laboratories, the focus is on measuring properties of a material, product, or system; in calibration laboratories, the focus is on comparing measuring instruments or references within a traceability chain. Sampling matters because it directly affects how representative the final result will be, which is why it is included in the scope of this standard.

What the scope distinguishes

• It treats testing and calibration within one competence framework.
• It covers both standard methods and laboratory-developed or non-standard methods.
• It includes sampling as part of laboratory service delivery.
• It links technical validity of results with the laboratory’s management system and working practices.

This edition was published on the basis of EN ISO/IEC 17025 and was later withdrawn. Even so, it remains a key reference for understanding how competence is defined in laboratory accreditation and conformity assessment contexts.