Accreditation 101

Accreditation 101: Securing Your Peace of Mind

Transcat has several types of accreditation, from calibration services to integrated solutions. Transcat's calibration services are built on precision, clarity, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.

Accredited calibration ensures that measurements are trustworthy and traceable, helping you minimize risk and meet regulatory or customer requirements with confidence.

Whether it's the simple convenience of in-lab calibration or in-process and on-site services, we have an accredited option that's just right for your needs.

Accredited calibration services provide independent verification that a calibration provider has the technical competence, processes, and quality systems necessary to deliver accurate and traceable results.

Each of our flexible options meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ILAC P14, ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006, and NIST's Policy on Traceability.

What Does Accreditation Mean?

Accreditation is the formal recognition that a calibration laboratory has been independently assessed and proven capable of producing reliable, accurate, and traceable measurement results. It demonstrates that a laboratory has the qualified personnel, documented procedures, quality systems, and technical expertise necessary to perform calibrations according to internationally recognized standards.

For organizations operating in regulated industries, accreditation provides confidence that calibration results will withstand audits, support compliance requirements, and help maintain product quality and operational performance.

Understanding the Standards Behind Accreditation

ISO/IEC 17025:2017

ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is the internationally recognized standard for testing and calibration laboratories. It establishes the requirements laboratories must meet to demonstrate technical competence and consistently produce valid results.

This standard covers critical areas such as:

• Personnel qualifications and ongoing training
• Equipment maintenance and control
• Measurement uncertainty evaluation
• Calibration methods and procedures
• Quality management practices

ISO/IEC 17025 is widely accepted across industries around the world and is considered the benchmark for laboratory competence. When a laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, customers can trust that calibrations are being performed according to rigorous technical and quality requirements.

ILAC P14

ILAC P14 is a policy issued by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) that provides guidance on the application of measurement uncertainty and decision rules.

The policy helps laboratories:

• Calculate uncertainty consistently
• Apply accreditation requirements uniformly
• Clearly communicate measurement results
• Support international recognition of calibration certificates

Compliance with ILAC P14 provides greater transparency regarding measurement accuracy and confidence levels. This allows customers to make better-informed decisions regarding quality, compliance, and operational risk.

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006 is a widely recognized standard used throughout aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and other highly regulated industries. It focuses on calibration systems and the management of measurement risk.

One of the standard's key objectives is preventing the acceptance of instruments that may actually be out of tolerance. To accomplish this, calibration providers must consider measurement uncertainty when making pass/fail determinations.

The standard helps organizations:

• Reduce measurement risk
• Improve product quality
• Support regulatory and contractual requirements
• Increase confidence in calibration decisions

For industries where measurement accuracy directly affects safety, performance, or compliance, Z540.3 provides an additional level of assurance.

NIST Policy on Traceability

Traceability is the foundation of reliable measurement. NIST's Policy on Traceability establishes requirements for linking calibration results back to recognized national and international standards through an unbroken chain of documented comparisons.

In practical terms, this means measurement results can be traced back to standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or other recognized national metrology institutes.

Traceability ensures:

• Measurement consistency across facilities and organizations
• Confidence in calibration data
• Defensible audit and compliance documentation
• Comparability of measurements over time

Without traceability, there is no reliable way to verify that a measurement result is accurate or consistent with industry standards.

Why These Requirements Matter

Together, these requirements create a framework for quality, accuracy, consistency, and accountability. They ensure calibration laboratories operate with qualified personnel, documented procedures, traceable standards, and robust quality controls.

For customers, this means greater confidence that:

• Measurements are accurate and repeatable
• Calibration results are technically sound
• Compliance requirements can be met
• Audit documentation will withstand scrutiny
• Critical equipment performs as expected

When precision impacts product quality, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, or safety, working with an accredited provider helps reduce risk and improve confidence in every measurement decision.

Accredited Service Options for Every Operation

Not every organization has the same calibration requirements. That's why Transcat offers multiple accredited service options designed to meet different operational needs while maintaining the same high standards of quality and traceability.

• In-Lab Calibration
• On-Site Calibration
• Client-Based Laboratories
• Mobile Calibration Services
• Specialized Accredited Services
• Repair Services

Confidence Starts with Accreditation

When measurement accuracy directly impacts quality, compliance, safety, and operational performance, accreditation matters. Accredited calibration provides independent verification that your calibration provider has the systems, expertise, and technical competence necessary to deliver reliable results.

At Transcat, accreditation is more than a requirement. It's the foundation of how we help customers reduce risk, maintain compliance, and trust the measurements that drive their operations every day. Whether you need in-lab calibration, on-site support, validation services, repair, or a fully integrated calibration solution, Transcat offers an accredited service option designed to meet your needs.