Accredia Laboratory

ACCREDIA LABORATORY

Being an Accredia-accredited calibration laboratory means that the laboratory is officially recognised to perform calibration operations on measuring instruments and devices, in accordance with international standards and specific regulations.

Accreditation by Accredia certifies that the laboratory has the necessary requirements to ensure that measurements are accurate, reliable and traceable, with a high level of quality and competence.

REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS

1. Calibration accuracy and reliability: The laboratory is able to calibrate and calibrate measuring instruments (such as thermometers, scales, pressure instruments, etc.) using validated methods that meet international quality criteria.

2. Traceability of measurements: Calibrations performed by the laboratory must be traceable to national or international measurement standards, ensuring that each instrument measured can be compared to recognised reference standards.

3. Qualified personnel: The laboratory must have competent personnel who are adequately trained and experienced in calibration operations.

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Standardised procedures: The laboratory must follow standardised operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that all calibration activities are carried out in a consistent and repeatable manner. 

Quality control: Accreditation also implies constant monitoring of the quality of the service provided, to ensure that calibrations are always accurate and in accordance with standards.

FAQ

When is an Accredia certificate necessary instead of a calibration report?

The execution of an Accredia certificate (or from another recognized accreditation body) compared to a simple calibration report is necessary in various contexts and specific situations. Here's when it is generally required:

1. Regulated Sectors

• Regulatory Compliance: In highly regulated sectors such as medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, automotive, or food industries, regulations often require measuring instruments to be calibrated by accredited laboratories. For example, the calibration of instruments used for critical controls in production or laboratory might need to be supported by an Accredia certificate to comply with current regulations.

2. International Acceptance

• Global Recognition: When calibration results need to be recognized internationally, for example in export processes or transnational collaborations, an Accredia certificate is essential. This is because such certificates are globally recognized thanks to mutual recognition agreements between accreditation bodies (such as ILAC).

3. Quality and Reliability Guarantee

• Critical Applications: In situations where measurement quality, reliability, and precision are crucial, such as in medical device production processes, precision electronics, or advanced research laboratories, an Accredia certificate ensures that measurements comply with the highest standards.

4. Contractual Requirements

• Customer Specifications: Some customers, especially those in regulated sectors or operating internationally, might explicitly require that instruments used are calibrated with Accredia certificates as part of contractual specifications.

5. Verifications and Audits

• Internal or External Audits: During quality audits (for example, according to ISO 9001, IATF 16949 for automotive, ISO 13485 for medical devices), it might be required to demonstrate that calibrations are performed by accredited laboratories to ensure measurement traceability and compliance.

• Regulatory Body Controls: Regulatory authorities may require Accredia certificates during inspections to ensure that instruments used in certain processes are calibrated according to recognized standards.

6. Traceability Guarantee

• Traceability to National/International Standards: If it's necessary to demonstrate that measurements are traceable to national or international standards, an Accredia certificate is often the safest and most accepted way to do this, as accredited laboratories must guarantee this traceability.

7. Research and Development Projects

• Precision in Scientific Measurements: In scientific research or technological development projects, the need for absolute precision in measurements may require the use of instruments calibrated with Accredia certificates to ensure results accuracy.

8. Legal Risks

• Legal Protection: In legal contexts, for example in disputes over measurements or compliance, an Accredia certificate can offer greater legal protection and credibility compared to a simple calibration report.

In summary, an Accredia certificate is necessary when strict compliance with recognized standards is required, whether for regulatory, contractual, quality, or international recognition reasons. A simple calibration report might be sufficient for internal or non-critical applications, but it doesn't offer the same level of guarantee and recognition.

What is the difference between an Accredia certificate and a calibration report?

The main differences between an accredited calibration and a referred calibration concern the level of recognition, compliance with specific standards, and the validity of results. Here's a detailed comparison:

1. Official Recognition

• Accredited Calibration: Performed by a laboratory accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 by a recognized accreditation body (such as Accredia in Italy). This type of calibration is internationally recognized and offers a guarantee of compliance with high standards.
• Referred Calibration: Performed by a non-accredited laboratory, but using instruments referred to national or international standards. Although the laboratory uses traceable instruments, there is no formal recognition of the entire calibration process by an accreditation body.

2. Compliance with Standards and Regulations

• Accredited Calibration: Must comply with rigorous standards such as ISO/IEC 17025, which covers every aspect of the process, including quality management, technical competence, and measurement traceability.
• Referred Calibration: Not subject to the same rigid compliance standards of ISO/IEC 17025. The quality and competence of the laboratory depend on its internal policies, without external verification.

3. Calibration Certificate

• Accredited Calibration: The calibration certificate issued by an accredited laboratory includes the accreditation mark and a formal statement of measurement uncertainty. This certificate is often required in regulated sectors and has greater legal validity.
• Referred Calibration: The certificate can still report calibration results and measurement uncertainty, but does not include an accreditation mark. While it may be acceptable in many contexts, it might not be sufficient for some regulated applications.

4. Reliability and Credibility

• Accredited Calibration: Results are generally considered more reliable and credible, as the laboratory is subject to periodic audits and must continuously demonstrate its competence.
• Referred Calibration: Although results may be accurate, the lack of external control by an accreditation body can reduce the perception of reliability, especially in contexts where measurement quality is critical.

5. International Acceptance

• Accredited Calibration: Thanks to mutual recognition agreements between accreditation bodies globally, accredited calibration certificates are generally accepted and recognized internationally without the need for further verification.
• Referred Calibration: The certificate's validity may be limited to national level or depend on customer or regulator acceptance, and might not be recognized internationally.

6. Cost

• Accredited Calibration: Usually more expensive due to costs associated with maintaining accreditation and complying with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
• Referred Calibration: Generally less expensive, as it doesn't require compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards and the laboratory doesn't have to bear accreditation-related costs.

7. Measurement Uncertainty

• Accredited Calibration: Measurement uncertainty is calculated and reported according to rigorous and internationally recognized criteria, providing a guarantee on the precision of results.
• Referred Calibration: Measurement uncertainty can be reported, but it's not guaranteed to follow the same rigorous standards of calculation and documentation as in accredited calibration.

In summary, an accredited calibration offers a higher level of recognition, reliability, and regulatory compliance, and is often necessary for critical or regulated applications. A referred calibration, while adequate for many applications, doesn't offer the same guarantees and might not be sufficient in more demanding contexts.

Can you get an Accredia certificate in one day?

Obtaining an Accredia certificate in just one day is generally very difficult, but not impossible, and depends on several factors:

1. Laboratory Availability

• Planning and Booking: If the accredited laboratory already has a tight schedule, they might not be able to perform the calibration and issue the certificate in a single day. However, if the laboratory is available and if the request is planned in advance, it may be possible to accelerate the process.
• Express Service: Some laboratories offer an "express" or priority calibration service for an additional cost, which might include processing an Accredia certificate in a very short time.

2. Type of Instrument and Calibration Complexity

• Simple Instruments: If the instrument to be calibrated is relatively simple and the calibration is routine, the process could be completed quickly, making it possible to issue the certificate in a day.
• Complex Instruments: For more complex instruments or those requiring very detailed calibrations, the process may take more time, making same-day certificate delivery unlikely.

3. Distance and Logistics

• Transport and Delivery: If the instrument needs to be sent to the laboratory, the transport time can affect the possibility of obtaining the certificate in a day. If the laboratory is nearby and the instrument can be delivered and collected in the same day, timelines can be reduced.
• On-Site Calibration: In some cases, technicians can come directly to the customer's site to perform the calibration, reducing logistics time.

4. Laboratory Workload

• Workload: If the laboratory is particularly busy, they might not be able to prioritize your request, even if "express" service is available. During high demand periods, even priority service times might be extended.

5. Emergencies or Special Situations

• Urgent Requests: In emergency situations, such as critical production needs or urgent validation for legal or contractual reasons, some laboratories may make an exception and accelerate the process. In these cases, it's essential to clearly communicate the urgency and discuss options directly with the laboratory.

6. Laboratories with Optimized Processes

• Specialized Laboratories: Some laboratories, especially those working with clients who require rapid calibrations, may have optimized processes to offer Accredia certificates very quickly. This depends on the laboratory's efficiency and their ability to handle urgent requests.

Final Considerations

If you need an Accredia certificate in one day, it's recommended to:

• Contact the accredited laboratory directly to verify availability and the possibility of rapid service.
• Specify the urgency and ask if they offer express or priority services.
• Agree on logistics details and necessary times in advance to avoid unexpected delays.

While obtaining a certificate in one day is difficult, with proper planning and communication, it might be feasible in some circumstances.

Does the Accredia certificate expire?

An Accredia certificate itself does not have a fixed expiration date; however, the practical validity of the certificate depends on several factors concerning instrument use, applicable regulations, and company policies. Here's what to consider:

1. Certificate Validity

• Permanent Certificate: The certificate doesn't formally expire; it attests that the instrument was calibrated and compliant at the time of calibration. However, it doesn't guarantee that the instrument remains accurate over time, as accuracy can degrade with use.
• Company Policies: Companies often define recalibration periods to maintain instrument precision. These periods can vary from six months to a year or more, depending on the type of instrument and its use.

2. Industry Standards and Requirements

• Regulatory Requirements: Some regulated sectors may require instrument recalibration at specific intervals. For example, in healthcare or pharmaceutical settings, instruments might need to be recalibrated annually.
• Quality Standards (e.g., ISO 9001): Quality standards like ISO 9001 require companies to maintain regular instrument calibration, often determined based on risk assessment or measurement importance.

3. Instrument Usage Conditions

• Frequency of Use: Instruments used frequently or in critical environments may require more frequent recalibration.
• Environmental Conditions: Instruments