Library Documents

Links to non-ILAC publications and documents of interest to ILAC members and the wider community are listed here.

If you wish to have a document considered for addition to this list please contact the Chair of the ILAC Accreditation Committee (AIC), Regina Robertson, on email regina.robertson@nata.com.au. Rather than publish the actual document on the ILAC site we prefer to publish the internet link (ie the document's URL address) where available.

On this page

• AOAC International
• Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC)
• European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA)
• EURACHEM / CITAC
• EUROLAB
• Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (JAB)
• Nordic Innovation
• Proficiency Testing Consultative Group (PTCG)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• VAM
• Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM)

AOAC International

• AOAC INTERNATIONAL Guidelines for Laboratories Performing Microbiological and Chemical Analyses of Food and Pharmaceuticals, An Aid to Interpretation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 - provides detailed criteria to aid in assessing the essential requirements for performing these types of analyses. This document closely follows ISO/IEC 17025 and provides a section-by-section interpretation of the general ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. This is not a free document.
• “How to Meet ISO 17025 Requirements for Method Verification”
  The guide assists laboratories in identifying the analytical parameters that must be met for method.
  The document, is available free of charge on the AOAC Web site, under the Accreditation section, at http://www.aoac.org/accreditation/accreditation.htm 
  

Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC)

• APLAC TC 005, APLAC Interpretation and Guidance on the estimation of uncertainty of measurement in testing - This document provides interpretation and guidance on measurement uncertainty in testing for various technical disciplines. It is intended for use by laboratory accreditation bodies as well as laboratories.
• APLAC TC 2 Guidelines for Internal Audits - This document gives guidance to laboratories and inspection bodies on how to establish and implement a program of internal audits.
• APLAC TC 3 Guidelines Management reviews - This document gives laboratories and inspection bodies guidance on how to establish and implement a program for management reviews.

European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA)

• EA-4-09 Accreditation for sensory testing laboratories - This document supplements EN ISO/IEC 17025, and provides specific guidance on the accreditation of sensory testing laboratories for both assessors and laboratories preparing for accreditation. It gives detailed guidance for the interpretation of EN ISO/IEC 17025 for those undertaking sensory testing.
• EA 4/16 EA guidelines on the expression of uncertainty in quantitative testing - The purpose of this document is to harmonise the evaluation of uncertainties associated with measurement and test results within EA. To achieve this, recommendations and advice are given for the evaluation of those uncertainties.

EURACHEM / CITAC

• EURACHEM/CITAC Guide 2003 Traceability in Chemical Measurement - A guide to achieving comparable measurement results - This Guide gives detailed guidance for the establishment of measurement traceability in quantitative chemical analysis, based on the definition in the international vocabulary of basic and general terms in metrology (VIM). Though it is aimed principally at testing and measurement laboratories carrying out chemical measurement, the principles are expected to apply from routine analysis to basic research. The document is also intended to assist laboratories in meeting the requirements on traceability of results given in ISO 17025.The version of the guide that is available on the website follows a detailed discussion over the last year of the previous version of the document.
• EURACHEM/CITAC Guide 2002 Guide to Quality in analytical Chemistry - An aid to accreditation - The aim of this guide is to provide laboratories with guidance on best practice for the analytical operations they carry out. The guidance covers both qualitative and quantitative analysis carried out on a routine or non-routine basis. A separate guide covers research and development work (Quality Assurance for Research and Development and Non-routine Analysis,1998).
• EURACHEM/CITAC Guide 2000 Quantifying Uncertainty in Analytical Measurement - 2nd Edition - This Guide gives detailed guidance for the evaluation and expression of uncertainty in quantitative chemical analysis, based on the approach taken in the ISO “Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty inMeasurement” [H.2]. It is applicable at all levels of accuracy and in all fields - from routine analysis to basic research and to empirical and rational methods (see section 5.3.). Some common areas in whichchemical measurements are needed, and in which the principles of this Guide may be applied, are:• Quality control and quality assurance in manufacturing industries.• Testing for regulatory compliance.• Testing utilising an agreed method.• Calibration of standards and equipment.• Measurements associated with the development and certification of reference materials.• Research and development.
• EURACHEM/CITAC Guide 1998 Quality Assurance for Research & Development and Non-routine Analysis - This guide, produced by a joint Eurachem/CITAC working party representing industrial, academic, and governmental interests, promotes and describes the concepts of quality assurance in the non-routine environment. The guide promotes a nested approach to quality assurance, dealing with it at a general organisational level, a technical level and a project specific level. It is intended to promote the use of QA as an effective tool for establishing and maintaining quality in R&D and non-routine operations. It does not seek to set criteria for accreditation of R&D although there is a section describing various methods for third party assessment of quality systems. The guidance may form the basis on which accreditation criteria can be set in the future. The guidance is intended to complement the existing CITAC guide (CG1) which describes QA in the routine environment. It is primarily directed towards analytical chemistry establishments but is, in principle, applicable to other sectors. An extensive bibliography is included.
• EURACHEM/EA Guide 2002 Accreditation for Microbiological Laboratories - This document has been produced by a joint EURACHEM/EA Working Group. It supplements ISO/IEC 17025 and provides specific guidance on the accreditation of laboratories performing microbiological testing, for both assessors and laboratories preparing for accreditation.
• EURACHEM Guide 1998 The Fitness for Purpose of Analytical Methods - A laboratory guide to method validation and related topics - This guide, produced by a correspondence group, comprising mainly Eurachem members is based on an earlier LGC-produced draft. A number of papers have been published promoting validation at a policy level. Others give guidance on validation for particular applications and the use of interlaboratory trials. The Eurachem guide aims to fill the gap in between by providing guidance on the various elements of validation (when methods should be validated, who carries out the validation, how methods should be validated, use of blanks, standards and replication) and is directed primarily towards laboratories working in isolation. Related issues are also dealt with: use of validated methods; designing quality control from validation data; implications of validation data for reporting; and documentation of methods.
• Use of Uncertainty Information in Compliance Assessment (2007) - This document provides guidance on how uncertainty may be taken into account in deciding compliance with a limit. The guide is applicable to decisions on compliance with regulatory or manufacturing limits where a decision is made on the basis of a measurement result accompanied by information on the uncertainty associated with the result. The guide includes a discussion and general recommendations, followed by more detailed instructions and examples.
• Measurement Uncertainty Arising from Sampling (2007) - This Guide describes methods that can be used to estimate the uncertainties arising from the processes of sampling and the physical preparation of samples. Two main approaches to the estimation of uncertainty from sampling are described. The simplest uses repeated sampling and analysis, while the 'modeling approach' identifies and combines separate contributions to the uncertainty to make an overall estimate. The guide is intended primarily for specialists such as sampling planners and for analytical chemists who need to estimate the uncertainty associated with their measurement results.

EUROLAB

• No. 2/2006 Guidance for the Management of Computers and Software in Laboratories with Reference to ISO/IEC 17025/2005

Japan Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment (JAB)

• JABNOTE4-Estimation of MU (Electrical testing/ High power testing) - JAB has published an explanatory document, JAB NOTE 4, about the uncertainty of measurement concerning High Power Testing, after two year dedication to the development. This document supervised by the Technical Sub-committee will be of help to those who are involved in calibration as well as high power testing.The document has been distributed to ILAC TAIC members for their comments. JAB also offered this to the APLAC Training Committee members as study aid for assessors and laboratory staff.It is our sincere hope that JAB NOTE 4 deepens readers understanding of measurement uncertainty.

Nordic Innovation

• Nordtest TR 537
  Handbook for calculation of measurement uncertainty in environment laboratories edition 2
  http://www.nordicinnovation.net/nordtestfiler/tec537.pdf
  The aim with this handbook is to provide a practical, understandable and common way of measurement uncertainty calculations based on already existing quality control and method validation data for test procedures in routine use.  To illustrate the approach the estimation of measurement uncertainty for some routine methods in environmental laboratories are presented.
• Nordtest TR 569
  Internal Quality Control
  Handbook for Chemical laboratories (Trollboken / Troll book)
  http://www.nordicinnovation.net/nordtestfiler/tr569_ed_3.pdf
  The aim of this handbook is to describe a fit for purpose system for internal quality control at analytical laboratories that are performing chemical analysis.  The approach is general but the examples are mainly from chemical water analyses.  Important issues in the Trollbook are 1) the use of more reliable control limits and central line based on e.g. a one-year pre-period. 2) introduces target control limit. 3) introduces the concept of method in control but out of statistical control. 4) describes how to evaluate quality control data over longer time periods. 5) proposes the use of quality control data in evaluating the uncertainty.  The handbook is available in several languages.
• Nordest TR 604
  Uncertainty from sampling
  A NORDTEST handbook for sampling planners on sampling quality assurance and uncertainty estimation
  (Based upon the EURACHEM international guide estimation of measurement uncertainty arising from sampling)
  http://www.nordicinnovation.net/nordtestfiler/tr604.pdf
  The handbook provides practical guidance on sampling uncertainty estimation in the Nordtest TR handbook format.  The handbook is an extract of and based upon the principles, methods and text of the international Eurachem Guide Estimation of measurement uncertainty arising from sampling.  The overall purpose of this handbook has been to provide those working with investigations, monitoring and control that require sampling with a set of tools for calculation and control of the sampling uncertainty of their sampling procedure.

Proficiency Testing Consultative Group (PTCG)

• A Discussion of Proficiency Testing Benefits and Program Strategies - This discussion paper was tabled at the ILAC  Proficiency Testing Consultative Group (PTCG) Meeting held in Cancun in October 2006.  It was written by one of the active contributors to the PTCG, Mr Ken Middlebrook.  The document is considered to be a useful information document for ILAC Members, PT providers and laboratories participating in PT programs. It has therefore been recommended for inclusion in the ILAC Library.
• A Discussion of Homogeneity Issues in Proficiency Testing for Calibration Laboratories - This paper was prepared for consideration in the ILAC Proficiency Testing Consultative Group (PTCG). It was prepared by an active contributor to the Group, Mr Jeff Gust, and was accepted by the PTCG as a useful information document for dissemination by ILAC to its members and to interested proficiency testing providers.  Its purpose was to explore in more detail the topic of homogeneity issues for proficiency testing of calibration laboratories and followed the earlier preparation of the more general ILAC Discussion Paper on Homogeneity and Stability.  The document has therefore been recommended to be included in the ILAC Library.
• ILAC Discussion Paper on Homogeneity and Stability Testing - This paper was prepared by a small task group within the ILAC Proficiency Testing. Consultative Group (PTCG) led by Mr Dan Tholen.  The content of the paper was reviewed by the PTCG at its meeting in Cancun in 2006.  The paper is an information document, initially intended to provide some inputs to the revisions of ILAC G13 and the new ISO/IEC 17043 Standard.  While the text of this discussion paper has not been directly incorporated into G13 and ISO/IEC 17043, it is considered to be useful background on issues related to the often difficult problems of achieving homogeneity and stability of proficiency testing items.  It has therefore been recommended for inclusion in the “ILAC Library”.
• Educational Aspects of Proficiency Testing Programs - This paper was prepared by Ms Ingrid Flemming and Mr Dan Wruk within the ILAC Proficiency Testing Consultative Group (PTCG) - whose attendees provided commentary on earlier drafts. Its preparation followed detailed discussion within the PTCG on the need to highlight the valuable educational value (for participating laboratories) of PT programs.  The document was subsequently published in the October 2007 issue of Chemistry in Australia ,the journal of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

• Laboratory Accreditation in Developing Economies: Tested Once - Accepted Everywhere Working paper No.2 - The purpose of this publication is to address the issue of accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories with special emphasis on the developing economies. The details of the intricacies of such accreditation are covered in the relevant ISO/IEC Guides and Standards and references are given to the appropriate documentation that is available from national and international standard organizations. What this document provides is a detailed step by step guide to the process of accreditation and its requirements in terms of governmental, technical and human resources support. The need for accreditation, what it means for the economy of any country and the role that it plays on the facilitation of both domestic and export trade is also addressed. It is stressed that accreditation is not the only recognized route for the conformity assessment but it is the one that offers the least duplication of effort, is the most transparent, most widely accepted and is the least discriminatory option.
  It should however be stressed that while is a guide to accreditation for developing economies, there is no easy panacea for international recognition.
  

• Labnet is an online interactive and collaborative web-based portal designed to promote the sharing of information and knowledge in the field of laboratory testing and calibration.  It has been developed under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organizations (WAITRO) serving as a platform enabling developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to address their operational challenges in laboratory development and accreditation. ILAC also supported the development of the site, along with ISO, BIPM, BAM and EPTIS.

  The site will benefit:

  • Laboratories (environmental, metrology, testing, chemical, microbiology, textile etc.)
  • Professional laboratory staff in developing countries
  • Exporters from developing countries
  • Industry, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, seeking metrology and calibration laboratories in developing countries
  • Emerging accreditation/certification bodies
  • Laboratories with the potential to obtain accreditation
  • Academia and researchers

  Click here to access the portal.

VAM

• Meeting the Traceability Requirements of ISO-IEC 17025, An Analyst's Guide, 2nd Edition, November 2003. This VAM Guide can be downloaded from the VAM website http://www.nmschembio.org.uk. The document is located under PUBLICATIONS menu then select GUIDES.  A summary of the document is shown and you must be a member and logon for full details.

 Joint Committee for Guides in Metrology (JCGM)

• VIM 3: International Vocabulary of Metrology

The text can be downloaded from the BIPM website on http://www.bipm.org/en/publications/guides/vim.html

This 3rd edition cancels and replaces the 2nd edition, 1993.  This 3rd edition is also published as ISO Guide 99 by ISO (ISO/IEC Guide 99-12:2007 International Vocabulary of Metrology - Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms, VIM).

• GUM: Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement

The fundamental reference document is the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM):

The text can be downloaded from the BIPM website on http://www.bipm.org/en/publications/guides/gum.html and a printed copy is available from ISO (as ISO/IEC Guide 98 Part 3:2008).

The JCGM Working Group 1 (JCGM-WG1) is providing a series of documents to accompany the GUM.  JCGM 101:2008 and JCGM 104:2009 have been approved and are available for download as PDF files by clicking on the links below.