Laboratory quality improvement by iso/iec-17025 accreditation: a case study of pcsir

ISO/IEC-17025 is an ideal International laboratory management system for testing and calibration laboratories. All over the world the testing and calibration laboratories are accredited as per ISO/IEC-17025 standard. Accreditation is an objective way to comfort your clients that you have established technical competency to issue authentic and correct results to enhance the reliability and confidence of the customer. PCSIR is the first ISO/IEC-17025 accredited testing laboratory in Pakistan, accredited in 2004 by Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC). In 2007, PCSIR-KLC laboratories were also accredited by Norwegian accreditation, Norway. The laboratories have completed its 4 cycles of accreditation and 5th cycle 2019-2021 is in progress from PNAC. First cycle of accreditation was of 4 years and other 3 years each. At present more than 400 parameters are accredited and more than 100 technical personnel are involved in testing& calibration activities. The quality policy of the laboratory is to make sure accurate and appropriate analytical services to its customers particularly trade community/ exporters by meeting the needs of the customer from government and private sector. PCSIR is also largest testing and calibration laboratory and research organization of Pakistan, have active research in a number of areas. The number of scientist, engineers and technologist are keenly participating in research & testing activities as per records of the last decade. The personnel/scientists are experienced with higher degrees in related fields from highly ranked institutes. Distinguishing features of the laboratory including its infrastructure, area, size, equipment, trained personnel, implementation of ISO/IEC-17025 made the laboratory confident and reliable, to handle internal research, testing and calibration in the same laboratory.