The main difference between calibration and verification of measurement and testing equipment
Measuring and testing equipment
During certification audits, auditors often ask the auditee about deviations from standards. One common issue is the confusion between calibration and verification. For example, an organization may use calibrated equipment that meets its needs according to local metrology regulations. However, an auditor might issue a "no-test" non-conformance report, forcing the organization to treat the equipment as requiring verification instead. This can lead to unnecessary costs, as the organization may be required to send the equipment to an official metrology department for verification, even when it's not legally mandatory.
ISO 10012-1:2003, "Quality Assurance Requirements for Measurement and Testing Equipment," defines calibration as:
"A set of operations to determine the relationship between the indication of a measuring instrument or measurement system, or the value of a physical gauge or reference material, and the corresponding known value under specified conditions."
Notes:
- Calibration results can be used to assess the indication error of a measuring instrument or to assign values to markings on a scale.
- Calibration can also evaluate other metrological characteristics.
- Results are often documented in calibration certificates or reports.
- Calibration outcomes may include corrections, factors, or calibration curves.
The ISO/IEC Guide 25:1990, "General Requirements for the Technical Capabilities of Calibration and Inspection Laboratories," defines verification as:
"Proof of evidence to verify compliance with regulatory requirements (ISO 8402/DADI—3.37, added notes for the purpose of this guide)."
Notes:
- Verification aims to check whether the measured value of an instrument aligns with a known standard, ensuring it stays within the maximum allowable error specified by regulations.
- Based on verification results, decisions can be made to continue using, recalibrate, repair, downgrade, or discard the instrument. All verification results must be recorded in the instrument’s specific documentation.
According to the International Bureau of Weights and Measures, verification is defined as:
"A procedure to ascertain and confirm that a measuring instrument complies with statutory requirements, including inspection, marking, and/or issuing a certificate of verification."
From these definitions, it's clear that calibration and verification are fundamentally different processes. Confusing them can lead to unnecessary costs and operational inefficiencies. Understanding their distinctions is crucial for proper management of measuring equipment in any quality system.
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