The foundation of any laboratory’s reputation is built on confidence in its ability to provide correct and reliable data. ISO/IEC 17025, subclause 4.1.5 d, requires that your management system “have policies and procedures to avoid involvement in any activities that would diminish confidence in its competence, impartiality, judgment, or operational integrity.”

How can your laboratory effectively provide “confidence in its competence, impartiality, judgment or operational integrity?” This can be ensured through the use of detailed policies, procedures, and a program that specifically addresses these topics.

Laboratories often state within their quality manuals that they ensure the integrity of their operations but provide limited details for how this is ensured. There may also be some kind of a confidentially or ethics agreement in place that personnel signed when hired. Is this enough to ensure that all employees fully understand and retain the importance of this topic and will comply?

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