Dear Farman,

The difference is as follows:-

1. The commercial laboratory does not have the conflict of interest in testing the products which come for testing from clients as all the clients are same for the lab. Whilst, In-house laboratory, once accredited to ISO 17025, when you test your own products, there exists the conflict of interest as you have vested interest and influence on the lab. To avoid this, ISO 17025 insists independency of the lab team from manufacturing team and its management functions.You need to ensure this.

2. The signing of testing reports from inhouse lab accredited to ISO 17025 should not be done by persons handling responsible persons in the manufacturing area. The test lab head should be qualified and be competent to check the contents of the report and certify the report for it's trueness.

Guess, this will help.

Regards.

Sekar Gopal.

nothing expect recognition 

there is no difference if both laboratories are accredited by bodies who are signatory to the accreditation system managed by IAF-ILAC internationally and by EA on a regional European level.

The only difference I see is related to the internal client.

Even in this case, it is necessary to perform the review of requests, tenders and contracts according to item 4.4 of the 17025, although this can be done in a simplified manner (Item 4.4.1, Note 1). I suggest to do that annually and to consider also an estimate of the quantity of test or calibrations for the period, together with the requested information under this item of the standard.

With respect to Item 4.7 (Service to the customer), you must also obtain feedback from the internal customer, preferably also annually.

As for the test report, the standard itself allows the results to be reported in a simplified manner (Item 5.10.1) to internal customers.

Dear Farman,

The difference is as follows:-

1. The commercial laboratory does not have the conflict of interest in testing the products which come for testing from clients as all the clients are same for the lab. Whilst, In-house laboratory, once accredited to ISO 17025, when you test your own products, there exists the conflict of interest as you have vested interest and influence on the lab. To avoid this, ISO 17025 insists independency of the lab team from manufacturing team and its management functions.You need to ensure this.

2. The signing of testing reports from inhouse lab accredited to ISO 17025 should not be done by persons handling responsible persons in the manufacturing area. The test lab head should be qualified and be competent to check the contents of the report and certify the report for it's trueness.

Guess, this will help.

Regards.

Sekar Gopal.

ISO 17025 is Quality Standard Requirements. These requirements must apply for Lab would be Accredit. Accrditation for Lab under ISO 17025 means, all results of this lab are the sam results outcome from any Lab in the world. 

If both units are accredited to the same standards, and the testing unit is independent from marketing and production, there should be no difference. Since the internal lab is part of the corporation, there will always be the shadow of a doubt that the results were influenced by the vested interest of working for the same corporation. Depending on the nature and stature of the project or customer, you may wish to go outside, or even have both ( for customer who will be a continuing client ) to increase confidence and allow you to go to only internal in the future.

As our colleague Sergio Sbrenni wrote above, in case the Accreditation Body which granted accreditation to both laboratories is a Full Member of ILAC i.e an MRA signatory or an MLA signatory of the relevant regional cooperation e.g. EA there is now difference between the two accredited labs. Reference is made to the status of the accreditation body because only such a body can thoroughly assess the independence and impartiality of the in-house lab so that the customers can be fully confident in the services provided.

I would recommend reading the following guidebook:

'Complying with ISO 17025'

A practical guidebook for meeting the requirements of laboratory accreditation schemes

based on ISO 17025:2005 or equivalent national standards.

UNITED NATIONS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION Vienna 2009