We see that many laboratory quality managers inadvertently waste time due to misinformation and misunderstandings about NATA requirements. They may do too much, creating unnecessary or inefficient processes in an effort to please the NATA assessor. Or they may do too little in the areas that really matter – the things that will actually affect… read more »
NATA Accreditation.
Creeping criteria: when auditors stray
Creeping criteria: this wonderful term was coined by my old boss at NATA (Helen Liddy) for those times we put a “condition” in an assessment report that was almost a requirement (but really an opinion on how to address a requirement), or when we had taken a criterion from one part of the accreditation documents… read more »
Tools and Tips for NATA-Ready Cause Analysis
How to get root cause analysis right for NATA We all love that feeling when NATA accepts our first response to an assessment report! But since NATA introduced their new reporting format, we’re seeing NATA reject many responses from labs because they haven’t included an adequate root cause analysis. If you’re struggling to understand what… read more »
Designed to benefit: Risks & Opportunities in ISO 17025
A good system recognises the strategic benefit of minimising risk and maximising opportunity. The new ISO/EIC 17025: 2017 standard puts extra emphasis on this by promoting risk-based thinking, preventive action and process design. It is about optimising your organisation’s overall strategy by planning, taking, and recording actions that prevent risk and enhance opportunity. There is… read more »
Reporting Compliance in ISO 17025
Do you report results as pass or fail on test reports? As normal, high or low? Within spec, outside spec, complying or not complying? Would your clients like you to report with a statement of conformity? Then you need to know about decision rules in the new ISO 17025. While you have utmost confidence in… read more »
Addressing impartiality in the new ISO 17025
A guest post from Karen Moore, originally posted on LinkedIn August 2018. The ISO 17025:2017 has a bigger emphasis on impartiality and managing conflicts of interest. How do you plan to address these issues in a way that you can discuss with NATA? If you’re like most lab managers, this is a difficult subject to talk about,… read more »
Behind the scenes: how our clients make the world a safer place
With World Accreditation Day highlighting the theme of safety this year, we want to celebrate the incredible work our clients are doing behind the scenes. From ensuring the reliability of rail infrastructure to safeguarding food production, these businesses remind us what accreditation is all about. As an accreditation specialist, it’s no surprise that I have… read more »
AS/NZS ISO 17025:2018 is here! Now what?
SAI Global has just released the 2018 version of AS/NZS ISO 17025 the updated laboratory accreditation standard, and NATA has explained how they will approach the implementation. So it’s time to start thinking about how you will approach the changes. (If you need extra help getting on top of the changes, we can help your… read more »
Bullet-proof your laboratory accreditation
Keeping your laboratory accreditation (& business) safe Good laboratory quality systems do more than just cover the things that NATA expects to see. They also support the laboratory management to make the right decisions. Whether you have laboratory accreditation, GLP or ISO 9001 certification, consider these key practices, which well-run organisations use to protect… read more »
How Safe is Your NATA Accreditation?
Danger ahead: warning signs for NATA Accredited Labs When a lab has their NATA accreditation suspended, it usually comes as a huge shock. But there are warning signs for poor assessment outcomes. You can determine whether there are issues that you should address before NATA arrives. These are some of the red flags noticable in… read more »