This document outlines the process for obtaining UKAS accreditation for laboratory calibration and testing. It involves deciding the calibration items, applying to UKAS, establishing quality systems, undergoing assessments, and maintaining accreditation. Initial costs include the laboratory, UKAS fees of £8,000-£12,000, quality manual development, equipment, and staff training. Annual maintenance costs are £3,000-£6,000 to UKAS, equipment calibration and maintenance, and consultancy. PKQA Services provides assistance with accreditation through quality system development, auditing, and training.

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

2. SLIDES :-
1.The Process of Obtaining UKAS Accreditation
2.Pre-Requisites for Laboratory Accreditation
3.The Advantages of having UKAS Accreditation
4.Setting-up Costs
5.Ongoing Costs
6. Additionally

3. 1 : The Process of Obtaining Accreditation :-
1.Decide what items you want to calibrate
2.Make a formal application to UKAS
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

4. 2 : 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

5. 3 : The Advantages of Accreditation :-
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 to be made

6. 4 : The Initial Costs Involved :-
Setting-up Costs :
1. The laboratory itself
2. UKAS :-
Assume £8000 to £12000 . A formal quotation will be supplied
by UKAS upon Application
3. PKQA Services :
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) .
4. Purchase of equipment and furnishings
5. Staff (and their training)

7. 5 : The Recurring Costs :-
Annual maintenance of Accreditation Costs :
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 , etc

8. 6 : Also available from (or by) 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 the QMS
4. Internal auditing - requires 2 to 3 site visits annually ,
certain audits could be office based on supply of
documentation , also auditor training of operators
5. Formulation/writing of the QMS , including uncertainty
calculations
6. Various other relative powerpoints
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