AC 4.3 v.1 Assessment Checklist For Traceability of Measurements

Accreditation Procedures GAC
AC 4.3 Assessment Checklist for

Traceability of measurements
Laboratories are required to meet the following additional requirements as contained in GAC Technical note 2 - Traceability of
measurements .
GAC Assessor Instructions: Please note that for all N/A indications, you must document the reason why this requirement is N/A in the
comments section.
To the best of my knowledge, all laboratory document references below as well as actual laboratory practice have been assessed for
compliance with the relevant clauses of GAC Technical note 2 - Traceability of measurements. I hereby attest that all Yes marked
compliance clauses, whether initialed or not, meet the aforementioned requirements. Any areas of noncompliance have been fully described
in the assessment Report.
CAB Name:
Address:
Contact:
Phone: Email:
Master Code: Assessment ID:

Certificate(s): Conformity
Standard:
Assessment Assessment Type:
Dates:
Assessor(s): Assessor
Signature(s):
Version: 1 Page 1 of 18
Date: 11 October 2015
Approved by: Brahim Houla
{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
T1. Purpose
This policy applies to:
all GAC applicant and accredited facilities;

all measurements, whether physical, chemical or biological etc
calibrations performed by a facility for its own activities and which are not
part of its scope of accreditation (so called in-house calibrations).
T2. Policy for traceability when performing

calibrations
For equipment and reference standards that have a significant effect on the
reported result and associated uncertainty of measurement shall be calibrated by
one of the following:
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
Services which are subject to peer review
a) An NMI whose service is suitable for the intended need and is covered by the
CIPM MRA. Services covered by the CIPM MRA can be viewed in Appendix
C of the BIPM KCDB which includes the range and uncertainty for each listed
service.
b) An accredited calibration laboratory whose service is suitable for the
intended need (i.e. the scope of accreditation specifically identifies the
appropriate calibration) and accredited by GAC or an accrediting body
covered by the ILAC MRA for calibration.
Services which are not subject to peer review
The following two options should only be applicable when options a) and b) above
are not possible for a particular calibration.
c) An NMI whose service is suitable for the intended need but not covered by the
CIPM MRA.
1. d) A non-accredited calibration laboratory whose service is suitable for the
intended need but under the following conditions:
a) The CAB maintains evidence that there is no other accredited

calibration laboratory available to perform the calibration or
maintains evidence of qualification for special circumstances (see
Policy on: Special Circumstances below); and
b) The CAB maintains evidence of a calibration certificate that
contains all of the following (Note: Implementation begins with
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
CABs that have an anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later
or new applications received after April 30, 2015):
1. The calibration result; and,
2. The measurement uncertainty reported as the expanded
uncertainty with a defined coverage factor, k (typically k = 2)
and a confidence interval (typically to approximate the 95%
confidence level); and
3. An indication of the reference standard(s) used to perform the
calibration;
c) The CAB maintains evidence that the reference standard(s) noted on
the calibration certificate are traceable to the SI through any of GCC
NMIs (or equivalent) or an accredited laboratory;
d) The CAB maintains evidence of the calibration interval 1 for the
measuring and test equipment (M&TE) or reference standard (Note:
Implementation begins with CABs that have an anniversary
date of April 30, 2016 or later or new applications received
after April 30, 2015).
T3. Policy for traceability when performing tests and
measurements
For tests and measurements:
e) If the results of calibration of equipment used contributes significantly to
the overall uncertainty, the same policy for traceability applies (as
1
See, for example, NCSLI RP-1 "Establishment & Adjustment of Calibration Intervals" (3/96).
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
detailed above).
f) If the result of a calibration is not a dominant factor in the test or
measurement result, the facility shall have quantitative evidence to
demonstrate that the associated contribution of the calibration
contributes little (insignificantly) to the test or measurement result and
associated measurement uncertainty and therefore traceability does not
need to be demonstrated.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
T4. Policy for traceability obtained through a
reference material (RM) and certified reference material
(CRM)
Values associated with RMs may not be metrologically traceable. Values
associated with CRMs are, by definition, metrologically traceable.
Traceability is considered to have been established where:
g) The values assigned to CRMs are produced by NMIs and included in the
BIPM KCDB or produced by an accredited Reference Material Producer
(RMP) under its accredited scope of accreditation to ISO Guide 34:2009.
Note: RMPs accredited by a signatory to a regional body e.g. Asia Pacific
Laboratory Cooperation (APLAC), are considered to have established
valid traceability.
h) The values assigned to CRMs covered by entries in the JCTLM
database are considered to have established valid traceability.
i) The majority of RMs and CRMs are produced by other RMPs. These can
be considered as critical consumables and the facility shall demonstrate
that each RM or CRM is suitable for its intended use as required by
clause 4.6.2 in ISO/IEC 17025:2005 or clause 4.6 in ISO 15189:2012.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
Policy on: Special Circumstances *
GAC recognizes that there are circumstances where a non-accredited

laboratory must be used even when an accredited laboratory is available to
perform the calibration. An exception to (T1) is allowed under the following
special circumstances:
1. Cases where the reference standard or M&TE warranty from the

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) will be deemed null and void
should another calibration provider other than the OEM be used.
Evidence of the warranty shall be maintained by the CAB.
2. Cases where the calibration must be performed by the OEM since *

proprietary software is needed to perform the calibration which is not
made available by the OEM to the public through policy or pricing.
Evidence that use of such software is required for the performance of the
calibration shall be maintained by the CAB.
3. Cases where a piece of equipment is newly purchased with a non-

accredited OEM calibration (Note: Implementation begins with
CABs that have an anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later or
new applications received after April 30, 2015).
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
Policy: Exceptions and Calibration Interval *
In cases where the calibration interval of the reference standard or M&TE is

set at greater than two years, and it exceeds the manufacturers
recommended interval, documented evidence (e.g. records of intermediate
checks) indicating that the reference standard or M&TE continues to remain
within the manufacturer (or applicable) specification is also required.
Note: this does not apply for reference standards or M&TE where
traceability is established through the use of certified reference materials,
intrinsic standards or consensus standards.
NOTE TO ASSESSORS: _____Check here if the organization does not utilize (T4) In-house Calibrations. The remainder of
(T5) will then be considered NA. Please skip to section (T6)
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
T5 In-house Calibrations
An in-house calibration is the calibration of a GAC accredited CABs own reference standards or measuring and test equipment by the
laboratorys own staff for which the calibration measurement parameters ARE NOT included on their Scope of Accreditation.
Note: This should not be confused with an internal calibration. In this case (T5) is not applicable; rather (T1) and (T6) of this document
applies. (Note: Implementation begins with CABs that have an anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later or new applications received after
April 30, 2015).
For all in-house calibrations having a significant effect on the accuracy or

validity of the result of the accredited test, calibration or sampling on the
CABs GAC Scope of Accreditation:
1. The CAB shall maintain documented procedures for the in-house

calibrations;
2. The in-house calibrations shall be evidenced by a calibration report, *

certificate, or sticker, or other suitable method;
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
3. Calibration records shall be retained minimally for the length of time *
between full GAC assessments;
4. The CAB shall maintain training records for calibration personnel and *
these records shall demonstrate the technical competence of the
personnel performing the calibrations: evidence of competence includes,
for example, documented training and the results of measurement
audits;
5. The CAB shall be able to demonstrate traceability to national or

international standards of measurement by procuring calibration
services from appropriately accredited calibration labs or an NMI for the
reference standard used to perform the in-house calibration;
6. Where available, the CAB shall use reference materials from accredited *
reference material producers or an NMI;
7. Measurement uncertainty:
a) The CAB shall have and apply a procedure for evaluating

measurement uncertainty;
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
b) Measurement uncertainty shall be calculated in accordance with the *
GUM2 for each type of calibration. The data from which the origin of
the uncertainty was determined shall be documented and the
assumptions made for the determination of the uncertainty shall be
specified and documented. (Note: Implementation begins with CABs that
have an anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later or new applications
received after April 30, 2015.);
c) Measurement uncertainty shall be taken into account when *

statements of compliance with specifications are made;
2
JCGM 100:2008 Guide for the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
d) At a minimum, all uncertainty analysis shall take into consideration *
the following contributors and documentation of the consideration
shall be made. (Note: Implementation begins with CABs that have an
anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later or new applications received after
April 30, 2015):
1. Repeatability;
2. Resolution3;
3. Reference standard uncertainty;
4. Reference standard stability;
5. Environmental factors
8. Reference standards shall be recalibrated at appropriate intervals to *
ensure that the reference value is reliable.
9. The CAB shall have a policy or procedure for establishing and changing
calibration intervals which shall be based on the historical behavior of
the reference standard4 (Note: Implementation begins with CABs that
have an anniversary date of April 30, 2016 or later or new applications
received after April 30, 2015).
3
It should be noted that uncertainty components, such as resolution, may also contribute to other components such as repeatability.
Therefore simply combining all components on an equal basis could result in an overstatement of the measurement uncertainty.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
T6 Accredited (Endorsed) Calibration Certificates (or

equivalent) GAC requires that:
1. The external calibration of all reference standards and M&TE having a

significant effect on the accuracy or validity of the result of the
accredited test, calibration or sampling shall be recorded in a calibration
certificate or report and shall include:
a) An endorsement by the recognized ABs symbol (or other reference to

accredited status by a specific, recognized AB); and
b) The accreditation certificate number assigned by the AB; and
c) A statement of traceability; and
4
See, for example, NCSLI RP-1 "Establishment & Adjustment of Calibration Intervals" (3/96).
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
d) A statement of the measurement result and the associated
uncertainty5 that meets the requirements of ILAC P14:01/2013
ILAC Policy for Uncertainty in Calibration . These uncertainties
shall include an explanation of the meaning of the uncertainty
statement and be reported as the expanded uncertainty with a
defined coverage factor, k (typically k = 2) and the confidence
interval (typically to approximate the 95% confidence level).
2. When Test Uncertainty Ratios (TURs) are reported, they shall be

calculated using the expanded uncertainty of the measurement, not the
collective uncertainty of the measurement standards; these implicit
uncertainty statements shall be accompanied by words to the effect that
the TUR was calculated using the expanded measurement uncertainty.
In addition, the coverage factor and confidence interval shall also be
stated (e.g. expressed at approximately the 95% confidence level using a
coverage factor of k=2).
5
See GAC FAD 3 Supplementary requirements for calibration and measurement for exceptions on including the measurement
uncertainty.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
1. For external calibrations performed by an NMI, these shall be recorded
in a calibration certificate or report and shall include:
a) An endorsement by the NMI; and
b) A statement of the measurement result; and
c) The associated measurement uncertainty.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
T7 Accredited (Endorsed) Reference Material
Certificates
1. Accredited6 reference materials shall be accompanied by a certificate

meeting the requirements of ISO Guide 31. This certificate shall also
include:
a) An endorsement by the ABs symbol (or other reference to accredited
status by a specific, recognized AB); and
b) The accreditation certificate number assigned by the AB.
2. Reference materials obtained from an NMI shall include an

endorsement by the NMI.
Note: It is common practice for a reference material producer to package

their reference materials under a different organizations name. In these
instances, it is possible for the reference materials to meet GAC technical
note 2 if the accompanying certificate includes reference to the specific,
recognized accreditation body, and the accreditation certificate number.
6
Accredited reference materials are those provided from a reference material producer that is accredited to ISO Guide 34 by an AB that is
recognized by the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) www.aplac.org.
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
NOTE TO ASSESSORS: _____Check here if the organization does not utilize (T8) Intrinsic Standards. The remainder of (T8)
will then be considered NA. Please skip to section (T9)
T8 Intrinsic Standards
Where an intrinsic standard or system is used as a reference standard, the

following requirements apply:
1. Direct intrinsic standard or system-to-intrinsic standard or system

comparison with NMI or an accredited laboratory shall be conducted at
appropriate intervals to ensure the correct realization of the measurand;
2. Documented calibration history of the device used to measure

differences between intrinsic standard or system and unknown values
shall be maintained;
3. Documented calibration history of the intrinsic standard or system

components (e.g., the time base of the reference frequency counter in a
Josephson voltage array system) shall be maintained;
Compliance
Requirement
Comments
Y N NA
4. Documented evidence of periodic checks on system precision and
stability (e.g., leakage currents, ground loops, thermal emfs, step
integrity, trapped magnetic flux, noise, and microwave power impinging
on a Josephson voltage array) shall be maintained.
Note: For those laboratories using saturated salt solutions for the purposes
of traceability, those solutions mixed on demand from reagent grade salts
and distilled water may be treated as comparable to an intrinsic standard.
In these instances, the laboratories are not required to meet item (1) as
listed above, but must be able to provide evidence of meeting (2) through (4).
T9 Dimensional Testing
GAC requires that the dimensional testing laboratory shall comply with
GAC FAD 3 Supplementary requirements for calibration and measurement
in cases where the dimensional artifact serves as a link in the traceability
chain.

AC 4.3 v.1 Assessment Checklist For Traceability of Measurements

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Accreditation Procedures GAC

AC 4.3 Assessment Checklist for

Master Code: Assessment ID:

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

all GAC applicant and accredited facilities;

T2. Policy for traceability when performing

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

a) The CAB maintains evidence that there is no other accredited

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

GAC recognizes that there are circumstances where a non-accredited

1. Cases where the reference standard or M&TE warranty from the

2. Cases where the calibration must be performed by the OEM since *

3. Cases where a piece of equipment is newly purchased with a non-

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

In cases where the calibration interval of the reference standard or M&TE is

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

For all in-house calibrations having a significant effect on the accuracy or

1. The CAB shall maintain documented procedures for the in-house

2. The in-house calibrations shall be evidenced by a calibration report, *

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

5. The CAB shall be able to demonstrate traceability to national or

a) The CAB shall have and apply a procedure for evaluating

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

c) Measurement uncertainty shall be taken into account when *

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

T6 Accredited (Endorsed) Calibration Certificates (or

1. The external calibration of all reference standards and M&TE having a

a) An endorsement by the recognized ABs symbol (or other reference to

b) The accreditation certificate number assigned by the AB; and

c) A statement of traceability; and

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

2. When Test Uncertainty Ratios (TURs) are reported, they shall be

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

1. Accredited6 reference materials shall be accompanied by a certificate

2. Reference materials obtained from an NMI shall include an

Note: It is common practice for a reference material producer to package

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

Where an intrinsic standard or system is used as a reference standard, the

1. Direct intrinsic standard or system-to-intrinsic standard or system

2. Documented calibration history of the device used to measure

3. Documented calibration history of the intrinsic standard or system

{RESERVED FOR GAC ASSESSORS ONLY}

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