ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard is essentially used by testing and calibration laboratories. Initially known as ISO/IEC Guide 25. There are many commonalities with the ISO 9000 standard, but ISO/IEC 17025 adds in the competence requirements. And it applies directly to those organizations that produce testing and calibration results/certificates.

Laboratories use ISO/IEC 17025 to implement a quality system aimed at improving their skill to constantly produce valid results. It is also the basis for accreditation from an Accreditation Body. Since the standard is about competence, accreditation is simply formal recognition of a demonstration of that competence. It is a mistaken belief that ISO 17025 accreditation is government controlled.

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 is an International Standard designed for the accreditation of Testing and Calibration Laboratories. It includes quality management system requirements along with technical requirements to ensure that each laboratory is equipped to perform particular tests and calibration activities.

UK Akkreditering Forum Limited offers ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation to fit the requirements of many types of laboratories.

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation offers many benefits:

• Demonstration of a well-established quality management system producing reliable and competent test and calibration results,
• Decrease of the amount of supplier or regulatory assessments necessary,
• Competitive benefit in the market,
• International Recognition of test and calibration reports.