The IK4-AZTERLAN Technology Centre has been accredited by ENAC according the new UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard

The UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025 Standard specifies the “general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories”. The most recent review of the Standard aims at “promoting the trust on the operation of laboratories” and “demonstrating that laboratories operate proficiently to generate valid results”. This new revision of the standard will effective in October 2020; IK4-AZTERLAN has already adapted its system to the new requirements.

The latest version of the UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard, published on December 2017 (taking over the version form 2005), details the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and operation of laboratories. The main targets of this review are to adequate the standard with the CASCO QS-CAS-PROC/33 document and to align it with the ISO 9001:2015 Standard.

Among the most relevant novelties incorporated by this review, a philosophy based on risks can be highlighted so laboratories are pushed to improve their performance. Also, some new requirements have been defined to improve impartiality as well as the routine operation of laboratories.

With the aim of adapting to new requirements and specifications, along the last year IK4-AZTERLAN has adapted its quality system. After successfully completing the ENAC audit, the Technology Centre has been accredited to keep performing physical-chemical, metallographic, non-destructive and corrosion testing according the new UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

IK4-AZTERLAN keeps on improving its capabilities and the efficiency of the system that provides the Metallurgy Research Centre with first-level analytical capacities.