For many healthcare providers, the low cost of obtaining non-UKAS calibration may seem tempting. However, by choosing this option many organisations later discover the calibration certificate is of little value. The difference between UKAS and non-UKAS calibration is significant.
Using an accredited calibration provider is crucial to ensure equipment validity, traceability and measurement confidence. This is vital for maintaining quality, meeting regulatory requirements and building trust in your processes.
This commitment to quality sets these service providers apart and is the only worthwhile option for your calibration needs. Understanding the key differences between UKAS and non-UKAS accredited service providers is therefore critical.
What is UKAS and what does it do?
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole national accreditation body for the United Kingdom. The UK government also recognises it as the only body of its kind.
UKAS operates under the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, assessing and accrediting organisations that provide services. These include accredited certification, testing, inspection, calibration, validation and verification. In short, it delivers an independent and impartial confirmation of technical competence.
UKAS assesses laboratories against internationally recognised standards, such as ISO/IEC 17025 for general testing laboratories and ISO 15189 for medical laboratories.
What is UKAS accreditation?
More and more businesses are choosing accreditation. From agriculture and healthcare, to factories, laboratories, offices, manufacturing, energy and more. The benefits are:
- Improved quality and reliability of results: Ensures that laboratories have the necessary resources, staff and procedures in place to deliver accurate and reliable results
- Reduces risk and improves efficiency: Helps laboratories identify and address potential risks, leading to improved efficiency and reduced errors
- Facilitates international trade: Recognised internationally, making it easier for UK-based laboratories to participate in international trade
- Enhanced credibility and trust: Demonstrates a laboratory's commitment to quality and competence, building trust with customers and stakeholders.
How does accreditation affect Metrology?
Valid measurements are something everyone relies on. Whether it’s ensuring a bridge fits its allotted span or that allergens aren't present in food samples. To the volume of petrol delivered at the pump to the amount of medication patients are given.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the internationally recognised standard used to accredit calibration laboratories. Providing confidence in the comparability, traceability and accuracy of measurements.
This can include temperature and humidity, pressure, vacuum and flow, magnetics, acoustics, density, dimensional, force, hardness, mass and volume.
The importance of using a UKAS accredited organisation
Accreditation drives confidence. We can trust UKAS accredited laboratories to deliver the performance and protection our products and services need.
UKAS accreditation elevates the credibility of test results, ensures the reliability of measurements, and enhances the reputation of certified activities. It also ensures that users can rely on inspected equipment and processes to operate safely and accurately.
It also ensures the highest levels of impartiality, objectivity and competence through the continuous assessment process. Delivered by highly competent assessors and technical experts in all fields.
Using a non-UKAS accredited company
Frequent changes in ISO standards can make it hard for non-UKAS certified providers to adapt their processes quickly. In many cases, there is little incentive for them to do so. They do not need to genuinely evaluate businesses according to ISO standards, and in reality, many do not.
Consequently, numerous providers might be providing calibration based on outdated standards and test equipment. This means your calibration certificate may hold little value.
Moreover, non-UKAS calibration providers do not have any obligation to employ competent assessors or technical experts. In fact, many do not. Their process may be nothing more than a few checkboxes. This is how non-UKAS calibration providers are able to offer their services cheaply and quickly.
Businesses that seek non-UKAS calibration providers in order to save money may also suffer in the long term. If the provider is cutting costs in such an important area, they are likely cost-cutting elsewhere too. This implies you might not be receiving the best service.
What to consider when choosing a calibration service provider
Whilst there's no legal prohibition against companies operating without UKAS accreditation, it's crucial to understand that accreditation provides a stamp of quality and reliability.
Many organisations, including the UK government rely on this. When choosing a calibration service provider, it’s important to consider the following:
- Do they have ISO17025 (UKAS) accreditation?
- Can they demonstrate competence?
- Are they using the correct equipment?
- Can they provide traceability?
- Can they provide uncertainty of measurement?
- Does the calibration certificate show initial and final measurements?
To run a UKAS accreditation check you can visit the UKAS website: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/
Equipment calibration services
Product accuracy and reliability is at the heart of Amplivox’s commitment to excellence. We work with carefully selected partners, engineers and technicians. Together, we offer a high-quality UKAS accredited calibration service to the latest ISO 13485:2016 standards.
We offer a return-to-base and on-site calibration service delivered nationwide, to provide customers with full support. To learn more about our calibration and repair services, visit our services webpage.
You can also contact our customer support team at +44 (0)1865 880 846. Alternatively, you can email us for more information.
Resources
UKAS: https://www.ukas.com/
BAA: https://www.baaudiology.org/