MINSK, 14 October (BelTA) – Belarusian testing and calibration laboratories are switching to a new version of the ISO/IEC 17025 international standard. More than 200 laboratories are undergoing attestation, with 15 already attested, BelTA learned from the State Committee for Standardization.
According to director of the Belarusian State Center for Accreditation Tatiana Nikolayeva, a decision has been taken by international conformity assessment and accreditation organizations that the application of this standard would earn the trust in the test results and implement the basic principle: tested once - recognized everywhere. The new version is based on modern approaches in laboratory business based on IT-technologies, process and risk-oriented management.
“This standard is also very important for laboratories in Belarus. GOST ISO/IEC 17025-2019 was introduced on 1 October 2019. It is identical to the new version of the ISO/IEC 17025 international standard. Globally, the transition period to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025 is three years from the date of its publication and expires on 30 November 2020,” said Tatiana Nikolayeva.
In order to provide methodological assistance, the Belarusian State Center for Accreditation runs trainings on its base and in regional cities for applicants for accreditation and also accredited entities both with the use of its resources and with the involvement of international experts. Methodological recommendations have also been developed to provide explanations for each item of the standard and practical examples of calculating risks.
“The survey of accredited entities shows a sufficient degree of readiness to carry out the transition to the new version of the standard by 30 November 2020. From this date the current STB ISO/IEC 17025-2007 standard will be cancelled, and accreditation certificates for compliance with its requirements will be considered invalid,” Tatiana Nikolayeva added.
The innovations will contribute to the improvement of the level of activity of domestic laboratories, exchange of information and experience, simplification of procedures for recognition of the results of their research at the regional and international level. They will also contribute to the improvement of the quality of products and their export potential.
In 2018 Belarus signed a package of international agreements on mutual recognition of test results and certification. In November, the National Accreditation System will be evaluated by the European Organization for Accreditation to confirm this status. Organizations will have to demonstrate and guarantee compliance with the transition period, the equivalence of the activity to the new requirements.
