Identical to the ISO/IEC Guides and provides information on product and third-party certification systems. Guidance is given to the establishment, general requirements for, and operation of calibration and testing laboratory accreditation systems.

This document sets out the general requirements for the operation of a system for accreditation of calibration and/or testing laboratories so that the accreditations granted and the services covered by the accreditations may be recognized at a national or an international level and the body operating the accreditation system may be recognized at national or international levels as competent and reliable.Users of the services of an accreditation body, other than the laboratories accredited by that accreditation body, may require compliance with requirements additional to those specified in this document.The object of this document is to provide guidance for the setting up and operation of an accreditation body and to facilitate agreements on mutual recognition of accreditation of laboratories between such bodies.NOTE - It is recognized that agreements on mutual recognition of accreditations aiming at the removal of barriers to across-border trade may have to cover other aspects not explicitly specified in these general requirements, such as proficiency testing or other interlaboratory comparisons, exchange of staff or training programmes. In particular, with a view to creating confidence and harmonizing the interpretation and implementation of standards, each accreditation body should encourage technical cooperation and exchange of experience among laboratories accredited by it, and it should be prepared to exchange information on accreditation procedures and practices with other accreditation bodies.

First published as Joint Handbook HB18.58:1993.