Support for QMS and UKAS TPS 73 requirements
As the UK’s National Metrology Institute (NMI), NPL has an important role to play in helping ISO accredited product and service providers, including analytical laboratories, to ensure ongoing conformity and technical validity within the scope of their accreditation during the COVID-19 crisis. NPL holds accreditation and certification to different ISO standards assessed by UKAS and LRQA and is also consulted by accreditation bodies for our technical expertise including understanding of measurement uncertainty in a range of specific technical application areas, in many of which we have leading global experts.
Our quality management system consultancy can help with support and advice including:
- Changes to periodic calibration frequency
- Impact of rescheduling intermediate checks of measurement and test equipment
- Use of alternative supplies that could affect the validity of the conformity assessment activity
- Facilitating adapted PT solutions
- Outsourcing solutions
- Maintaining staff competency – including training support
- Internal quality control, including gap analysis, mitigation plans
- Internal audit management and review – offered remotely during COVID-19 disruption.
Related standards: ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ISO 17034:2016, ISO 17043:2010, ISO 9001:2015.
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The COVID-19 crisis across the UK and around the world is impacting the availability of standard tools used to provide traceability, demonstrate technical competence and assure quality. Operations may be affected in a number of ways such as site closure, staff shortage, restricted access to supplies and services, sample delivery, additional workloads, or reduced demand for services. As a result, laboratories and providers of ISO compliant products and services are assessing new approaches to meeting their quality management system obligations and adapting their normal routines.
Guidance documents are being issued to help accredited organisations meet obligations of their quality systems. UKAS have issued: TPS 73 – UKAS Policy on Accreditation and Conformity Assessment During the COVID-19 Outbreak which sets out requirements and guidance to address the obligations for conformity across different organisations, including; laboratories, certification bodies, verification bodies, inspection bodies, reference material producers, proficiency testing providers and providers of healthcare, scientific and diagnostic services.