Several calibration laboratories are weighing the benefits of ISO 9002 Registration. Considering that many of their customers, both internal and external, are developing their quality systems to comply with either ISO 9001 or 9002; the option of laboratory accreditation only adds to the dilemma. ISO 9002 requirements address the total quality system and place very little emphasis on the calibration system. ISO Technical Committee 176, which developed the ISO 9000 series, also develops quality documents in the ISO 10000 series. Of these documents ISO 10012-1 was specifically developed to address calibration systems. However ISO 10012-1 is not generally referenced or addressed by quality system registration. Laboratory accreditation would focus on the calibration system. But would the laboratory's customers recognize the differences and/or advantages? Until mutual recognition of laboratory accreditation becomes more prevalent, its benefits in the U.S. will remain questionable. Some calibration laboratories have decided to seek ISO 9002 registration with laboratory accreditation planned for a later date. In fact, some manufacturing operations have decided to register their calibration opertation without registering the other portions of their business.
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