Test & measurement
manufacturer, as there is no direct third-party involved in the day-to-day testing.
CTF Stage 4
Stage 4 involves witnessing only some parts of the selected test programme, as identified by the NCB. Testing is carried out by the manufacturer’s personnel and witnessed by third-party laboratory staff, who supervise, check, and witness all critical aspects of the witnessed tests. This reduces test times and costs.
FINDING THE RIGHT TEST PARTNER Live stream video can be used as an alternative to on-site witnessing, once the CTF has been assessed and accepted for specified tests. This delivers great value, as a manufacturer can access testing expertise wherever they are based in the world, and allows engineering staff to re-focus on other activities within the business. If any problems do arise during the test, the customer does not have to travel to the test facility to rectify them, as they can simply log on and speak directly with the engineer.
The international standard ISO/IEC 17025 sets out the general requirements for the ‘Competence of Testing & Calibration
Instrumentation Monthly October 2024
Laboratories’, to ensure that the laboratory you choose:
1. Operates a suitable quality system. 2. Is technically competent.
3. Is able to produce technically valid results.
ISO/IEC 17025 addresses every element of management responsibility and activity within the entire laboratory environment, so it is not exclusive to the individuals within it such as the test lab manager or quality manager. The standard actually involves all laboratory staff whose functions relate to the quality of the data generated by a laboratory. While testing is often viewed as having to take place at a traditional test laboratory, it is clear that manufacturers actually have wider options to suit individual needs. No longer tied to testing at the third-party laboratory, the choice can be made by manufacturers to undertake tests themselves or to outsource the work, or a combination of the two. However, one consideration is that if you use CTF as part of the IECEE CB Certification scheme, the manufacturer’s test
facility is subject to annual audit by the partner CB Test Laboratory.
My advice would be to take the opportunity to review how testing is done within your business. Testing is often something that ‘just happens’ and is rarely reviewed regularly as it is not considered something that could be used to improve business efficiency. Identifying improvements and alternatives to the current status quo could significantly enhance the testing process.
TÜV SÜD
www.tuvsud.com/uk
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