Why traceability is not enough
All certificates look the same at first glance. The difference shows when someone asks how the measurement was carried out.
Why does compliance require accredited calibration?
Because a measurement without known uncertainty is not a measurement, it is a guess with decimals. Calibration establishes how much the sensor deviates from a reference, and with what uncertainty.
Traceability means the measurement can be traced back to a national reference. That is a requirement, but it says nothing about how the calibration was carried out. Accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 also means that a national body has assessed the laboratory's methods, reference equipment, uncertainty calculation and the competence of its staff.
At an inspection the difference is practical. An accredited certificate does not need explaining. A traceable certificate without accreditation often has to be supplemented with documentation of how the laboratory works, and that work lands with you.
The calibration is carried out by accredited partners: DFM, which is DANAK-accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, and DICKSON, which is COFRAC-accredited. We manage the process, the intervals, the sensor exchange and the certificates.
What the accreditation covers
The methods
How the calibration is carried out and at which reference points. Assessed by the accreditation body.
The measurement uncertainty
How the uncertainty is calculated and stated. That is the figure your own assessment is based on.
The competence
That the people carrying out the calibration are qualified, and that this is checked on an ongoing basis.
The reference equipment
That the laboratory's own equipment is traceable and maintained.
The certificate
What it must state, and how it is linked to the individual sensor via the serial number.
The interval
That the calibration is repeated before drift makes the measurement unreliable.
Calibration is not an approval
A certificate does not say that the sensor is fine. It says how much it deviated at each measuring point, and with what uncertainty. The assessment of whether the deviation is acceptable for your application is yours. This is an important distinction, because a sensor with a deviation within your acceptance criteria is usable, while the same sensor may be unacceptable elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between traceable and accredited?
Traceable means the measurement can be traced back to a national reference. Accredited also means that the laboratory is approved to ISO/IEC 17025 by a national body.
Do all sensors need accredited calibration?
That is decided by your risk assessment. Critical measuring points typically yes, less critical ones can make do with traceable calibration.
Why is the deviation shown on the certificate?
Because calibration is a measurement, not an approval. The assessment of whether the deviation is acceptable is yours.
How often should calibration be done?
You define the interval yourselves based on your SOPs and on what the equipment is used for. Typically it is every 12 months.
How do we avoid gaps in the documentation?
Through sensor exchange. We send a freshly calibrated sensor, you swap it in, and measurement continues.
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