Laboratory Accreditation (Keynote)
Raul Alarcon
European Space Agency, ESTEC, The Netherlands
Abstract
ESA/ESTEC laboratories frequently collaborate with top National Measurement Institutes to maintain state-of-the-art technical competence and know-how in addition to the developing several test and calibration methods suitable for third-party Accreditation according to the technical requirements of ISO/IEC 17025.
Laboratory Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 not only provides formal recognition that an organisation consistently operates an effective quality management system, but also demonstrates that the organisation has the required technical competence and can issue certificates of compliance or test reports in accordance with established technical standards and procedures.
The Accreditation process of the ESA/ESTEC Radiation Effects Laboratory for Total Ionising Dose and Dose Rates measurements using a Cobalt-60 source has increased the confidence in the laboratory’s testing and calibration results, proven to support the advancement of technical competence of laboratory personnel, and ensured that worldclass test services are maintained and independently assessed on an annual basis.
This presentation provides an overview of the key elements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, the benefits and challenges of Laboratory Accreditation, and the lessons learned from the Accreditation process adopted by the ESA/ESTEC Radiation Effects Laboratory.