Calibration and measurement capability (CMC) and customer technical qualification

In the context of metrological confirmation, calibration is an essential process in all quality assurance efforts. Several organizations choose to outsource this activity to accredited laboratories in accordance with the requirements set forth in ISO/IEC 17025: 2017. Companies understand that accredited laboratory has formal recognition of its technical competence to perform the services within its scope of accreditation. The document ILAC P14: 2013 sets out guidelines for the presentation of Calibration and Measurement Capability (CMC). However, when analysing the scope of accredited laboratories in some national calibration bodies, it is possible to observe that, for the same instrument and the same measuring range, different values are attributed to CMC. If the CMC should result from normal calibration operations on the best existing device, what causes this dispersion? How can the customer make effective use of the information contained in accreditation scopes? In order to further standardize the presentation of CMC in accreditation scopes, calibration methods adopted by laboratories should be required to meet the maximum permissible errors established by manufacturers or normative documents. Companies can outsource calibration activities. But the selection of service provider and the interpretation of the results remains a customer assignment. The paper presents an analysis of accreditation scopes of different national calibration bodies and discusses the qualification of those in charge of metrology management, regarding the knowledge and skills required for activity.