Belarusian laboratories switch to new version of international standard ISO / IEC 17025

Belarusian laboratories switch to new version of international standard ISO / IEC 17025

14.10.2019. Belarusian testing and calibration laboratories are switching to a new version of the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. More than 200 laboratories undergo such assessment, and 15 have already received accreditation certificates, the press service of Gosstandart reported. According to the Director of the Belarusian state accreditation center (BGCA) Tatyana Nikolaeva, at the sites of international organizations for conformity assessment and accreditation, the laboratories agreed that the application of this standard provides confidence in the test results and implements 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 very important for Belarusian laboratories. From October 1, 2019, GOST ISO/IEC 17025-2019 was introduced, identical to the new version of the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. All over the world, the transition period to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025 has a three-year period from the date of its publication and ends on November 30 next year, " Tatyana Nikolaeva said.

To provide methodological assistance BGCA on its base and in regional cities conducts trainings for applicants for accreditation, accredited entities both using its resources and with the involvement of international experts. Also developed guidelines, which provide explanations for each item of the standard and practical examples of calculating the risks in the activities of laboratories.

"The survey of accredited subjects indicates a sufficient degree of readiness to perform the transition to a new version of the standard until November 30, 2020, - added Tatiana Nikolaeva. - From this date, the current STB ISO / IEC 17025-2007 will be canceled, accreditation certificates for compliance with its requirements will be considered invalid."

Innovations will increase the level of activities of domestic laboratories, exchange of information and experience, the facilitation of the recognition of the results of their research at regional and international level to improve the quality of the products and its export potential.

The press service reminded that Belarus has been a signatory of a package of international agreements on mutual recognition of test results and certification since 2018. In November, the national accreditation system will be evaluated by the European accreditation organization to confirm this status. Organizations will have to demonstrate and guarantee compliance with the terms of the transition period, the equivalence of activities to the new requirements.

BelTA