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WHEN TEST RESULTS NEED TO BE RELIABLE
Whether protective gloves, safety footwear or other personal protective equipment (PPE), numerous technical properties must be tested and assessed to meet protection and quality requirements. But how can we ensure that such tests are carried out under suitable conditions and that their results are traceable?ISO/IEC 17025 provides important guidance in this regard. This international standard specifies requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. It covers not only the testing equipment used, but also qualified personnel, suitable test methods and the traceable handling of results.
We also follow the principles of this standard in our in-house testing laboratory, the AS Quality Center (ASQC). It provides a technical framework for systematically assessing and continuously improving the quality of our laboratory work.
But what exactly does ISO/IEC 17025 cover, why is it relevant to our daily laboratory work, and what benefits does it offer for the quality assurance of personal protective equipment?
WHAT DOES ISO/IEC 17025 COVER?
ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. It specifies general requirements designed to support technical competence and reliable laboratory results.Unlike a product-specific standard, it does not define the level of protection that, for example, a protective glove must provide. Instead, it focuses on the conditions required to carry out tests correctly and assess their results.
The standard focuses on the following key areas:
| Area | Importance for laboratory work |
| Technical competence | Personnel must have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their respective laboratory activities. |
| Suitable test methods | The methods used must be appropriate for the intended testing purpose. |
| Testing equipment and environmental conditions | Equipment and environmental conditions must meet the requirements of the respective test. |
| Traceability | Testing procedures, relevant influencing factors and results must be appropriately documented. |
| Impartiality | Test results must not be influenced by commercial or other external interests. |
| Handling deviations | Errors and deviations must be identified, assessed and addressed appropriately. |
WHY IS ISO/IEC 17025 IMPORTANT FOR OUR AS QUALITY CENTER?
When testing personal protective equipment, obtaining a measured value is only part of the process. Equally important is how that value is obtained and under which conditions the test is carried out.This is precisely why ISO/IEC 17025 provides a valuable framework for our work at the AS Quality Center. Its principles help us consider the key factors that can influence laboratory tests and take a systematic approach to testing processes.
1. Establishing comparable testing conditions
Test results can be influenced by various factors. These include sample preparation, the testing equipment used and the environmental conditions during measurement.
Testing protective gloves provides a practical example: when examining material properties, the relevant testing conditions must be taken into account to ensure that the measured values can be meaningfully assessed.
ISO/IEC 17025 therefore places particular emphasis on suitable methods, controlled conditions and the proper use of testing equipment.
2. Making results traceable
A test result is particularly meaningful when the conditions under which it was obtained can be clearly traced.
This includes, for example, documenting the test method used, the sample examined and the relevant testing conditions. This makes it easier to interpret results and investigate potential deviations.
Such traceability is particularly important in PPE quality assurance, as even differences in material composition or manufacturing processes can affect certain product properties.
3. Promoting technical competence and continuous improvement
Alongside suitable testing equipment, the expertise of laboratory personnel plays a central role. After all, measured values must not only be determined correctly but also interpreted accurately.
ISO/IEC 17025 therefore addresses the competence of laboratory personnel, as well as risk assessment, the handling of deviations and the improvement of laboratory processes.
For our AS Quality Center, following these principles provides an important foundation for regularly reviewing and further developing our working practices.
What does this mean for PPE quality assurance?
When assessing protective equipment, several factors must work together:
+ Suitable test methods: The test must be appropriate for the respective product property.
+ Controlled testing conditions: Relevant factors that may influence the result must be taken into account.
+ Traceable documentation: Results should be assessed professionally and be available for review when necessary.
+ Competent testing: The personnel involved must have the required technical expertise.
ISO/IEC 17025 does not replace product-specific testing standards or mandatory conformity assessment procedures. Instead, it defines fundamental requirements for the quality and competence of laboratory work.
QUALITY STARTS WITH THE TESTING PROCESS
ISO/IEC 17025 demonstrates that reliable laboratory results depend on more than modern testing equipment. What matters is the combination of technical competence, suitable test methods, controlled conditions and traceable documentation.So why do we follow this standard at the AS Quality Center? Because it provides an internationally recognised benchmark for systematically reviewing our laboratory work and consistently prioritising quality requirements.
Following the principles of ISO/IEC 17025 does not replace the testing of specific product properties. Instead, it complements individual test methods by considering the conditions required to obtain technically reliable results.
Engaging with the requirements of the standard therefore helps us view quality assurance as a continuous process – from preparing a test to professionally assessing its results.
