1. The document outlines the process and requirements for obtaining accreditation from UKAS to ISO 17025 standards. This includes establishing prerequisites like a quality management system, equipment, and standards. 2. The accreditation process involves applying to UKAS, developing documentation, undergoing assessments, and ultimately obtaining accredited status. Maintaining accreditation requires ongoing costs and compliance with standards. 3. The advantages of accreditation include recognition, customer satisfaction, competitive advantages, additional revenue opportunities, and ensuring consistent and traceable practices are followed.

1. Quality Assurance Consultancy & ISO 17025 Auditing
PKQAPKQA SERVICES
The Process of Obtaining
UKAS Accreditation

2. CONTENTS :
1.Pre-Requisites for Laboratory Accreditation
2. The Process of Obtaining UKAS Accreditation
3.The Advantages of being an Accredited Laboratory
4. Setting-up Costs
5. Recurring Costs
6. Additionally

3. 1 : Pre-requisites (at a minimum) are :
1.A quality manual referenced to each section of ISO17025
2.An environmentally controlled laboratory with secure access
3.A designated Head of Laboratory responsible for its operation
, and having a complete understanding of its measurement
procedures , the operation of its test equipment , and of its
quality management system (QMS)
4.An appropriate range of reference standards each with a
traceable calibration
5.A suitable range of test and measuring equipment
6.A series of operational procedures
7.A series of calibration instructions
8.Uncertainty calculations for all accredited calibrations or
generic groups of calibration
9.Applicable British , International , and GPS standards

4. 2 : The Process of Obtaining Accreditation :
1.Decide what items you want to test or calibrate
2.Make a formal application to UKAS using their Form AC3
3.Establish the laboratory , its equipment , and traceability
4.Formulate the Quality Management System (QMS)
5. Send copies of the quality manual and uncertainty
calculations to UKAS
6. Undergo a Pre-Assessment visit by UKAS
7. Supply evidence to UKAS to discharge any actions/findings
8. Undergo the formal UKAS Assessment visit
9. Obtain Accreditation
10. Maintenance of Accreditation

5. 3 : The Advantages of being an Accredited Laboratory :
1. Industrial , National , and International recognition
2. Enhances the organisations reputation
3. Improved customer satisfaction and confidence
4. A business edge over non-accredited competitors
5. A source of additional revenue
6. Known and accepted methods , procedures and practices
are in place
7. On-going monitoring via internal auditing
8. Can improve a customers measuring capability by him
taking account of known errors in his own measuring systems
9. The scope for continual improvements that can be made

6. 4 : The Initial Costs Involved :
Setting-up costs :
1. Establishing the laboratory itself , including temperature
control , measuring equipment , and reference standards
2. UKAS charges for pre-assessment and assessment visits :
Assume £8000 to £12000 . A formal quotation will be supplied
by UKAS upon your formal application
3. PKQA Services (or other consultancy) :
Office based writing/formulating the complete QMS : £1500 .
For site visits , travel and accommodation would be at cost ,
plus £240 per full day on site (£120 per half day) .
NOTE : The QMS can be formulated by yourselves
4. Purchase of furnishings , fixtures and fittings
5. Staff (and their training)

7. 5 : The Recurring Costs :
Approximate budget for maintenance of Accreditation :
1. UKAS : Assume £3000 to £6000 . A formal quotation will
be supplied by UKAS prior to their visit
2. External calibrations for on-going traceability
3. Annual service and maintenance of test equipment
4. Consultancy costs for Internal Audits – PKQA can quote
if required
5. The costs for services , supplies , materials , on-going
training of staff , etc

8. 6 : Also available from PKQA Services :
1. ISO 17025 : A 50+ slide detailed presentation itemising
the requirements a laboratory needs to implement in
order to comply with ISO 17025
2. Auditing the QMS : A 25+ slide presentation of the
Internal auditing process for accredited laboratories
3. Remote management of your QMS
4. Internal auditing - requires 2 to 3 site visits annually ,
certain audits could be office based on your supply of the
necessary documentation – confidentiality is assured
5. Formulation/writing of the QMS , including procedures ,
instructions , quality manual and uncertainty calculations
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