What is the purpose of a calibration certificate?
The calibration certificate is the official document registered for the calibration of instruments and provides traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Most companies file the calibration certificate as a historical record. However, some enter the certificate data into a local database that they use to track the status of their test equipment inventory
The accuracy and integrity of the calibration certificate reflect the validity and credibility of the calibration organization.
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This document specifies the general requirements for calibrations performed in Test and Measurement Equipment.
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This document applies to all organizations that perform tests, including third-party laboratories.
What is the difference between a Standard (Traceable) and Accredited Calibration Certificate?
Standard (Traceable) Certificate: Instrumentation is calibrated to specifications with traceable standards. A full data report is optional with the calibration certificate.
Accredited Certificate: Meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and the lab’s accrediting body. The unit under test is calibrated in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 within the supplier’s approved scope of accreditation. Accredited calibrations provide a certificate of calibration with the accrediting body’s logo on the document. The calibration date will be on the certificate; the calibration due date is only placed on the document when specified by the customer or contractually agreed. A traceability statement is provided as well as measurement data and uncertainty data for each parameter tested during the calibration.
Do you want to know about Different methods of instrument calibration click the link below
Different Methods of Instrument Calibration
Procedures for a calibration certificate:
Each certificate must satisfy the requirements by standards ISO / IEC 17025 5.10 unless the calibration laboratory has valid reasons for not including it.
- A valid accreditation body endorsement for the calibrations performed (see the list of accreditation endorsement examples below) in the form of a logo of the accreditation body. As an alternative to the logo of the accreditation body that is applied in the certificate, the calibration certificate must contain the following four elements on the first page of the calibration certificate:
- Statement that the calibration meets requirements of ISO/IEC 17025,
- The name of the accreditation body which accredited the calibration laboratory,
- Reference to their accreditation certificate number, and
- A statement that the calibration is within their scope of accreditation
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A title
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The name and address of the laboratory, and the location where the calibrations were carried out, if different from the laboratory address;
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Unique identification of the certificate (such as the serial number). Each page should have the identification.
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The name and address of the customer;
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Identification of the method used;
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A description of the condition of an unambiguous identification of the item(s) tested or calibrated;
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The date of receipt of the calibration item(s) if this is critical to the validity and application of the results and the date(s) of a performance of the calibration;
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Reference to the sampling plan and the procedures used by the laboratory or other organizations if these are relevant for the validity or application of the results;
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The name (s), function (s) and signature (s) or equivalent identification of the person (s) authorizing the calibration certificate.
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Where appropriate, a statement to the effect that the results refer only to calibrated articles;
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The conditions (for example, environmental) under which calibrations were performed that have an influence on the measurement results;
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The uncertainty of the measurement and/or a declaration of compliance with an identified metrological specification or clauses;
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Evidence that measurements are traceable (to national standards).
Another example is given below:
Click the link below to view more examples of calibration certificates
Load cell calibration certificate: Load cell calibration certificate.docx (26.6 KB)
Pressure gauge Calibration certificate : Pressure gauge.docx (732.2 KB)
Mass flow meter calibration Certificate: Mass flow meter calibration Cert.docx (31.4 KB)
Field Calibration Certificate: Field-Calibration-Certificate.xlsx (28.9 KB)
Temperature sensor certificate: Temperature-sensor-certificate.docx (22.9 KB)