Understanding Traceability and Calibration Uncertainties in ISO 9001
Section 7.1.5.2a of ISO 9001:2015 focuses specifically on the importance of performing calibrations and verifications of measuring instruments against standards that are traceable to national or international standards. While these are certainly important, it’s also important to understand two critical concepts and how they relate to this requirement: traceability and uncertainties. Both of these principles are vital to ensure the accuracy and reliability of calibrations or measurements, making them fundamental to quality management systems like ISO 9001.
Traceability refers to the property of a measurement result allowing it to be connected to a reference standard through a well-documented and unbroken chain of calibrations. This continuous chain ensures that each step in the process is able to be traced back to a recognized and consistent standard. According to ISO 9001:2015, section 7.1.5.2a, organizations must ensure that calibration is performed against standards traceable to recognized measurement systems. If no such standard exists, the basis for calibration must be documented.
Uncertainties are parameters characterizing the range of values that could reasonably be attributed to the quantity being measured (referred to as the measurand). To put it simply, uncertainties ask “How far off could we be in our measurements?” This concept is central to the accuracy of any measurement system. ISO 9001 requires measurement to be traceable utilizing calibrated devices. Calibration, as defined by the measurement community, includes quantifying the measurement uncertainty.
Legal-for-Trade Scales: Are Yours Meeting All the Requirements?
Any scale which is used for commercial transactions, where products are bought and sold based on weight, must be legal-for-trade. But what does legal-for-trade really mean? And how can you make sure that your scale is compliant?
In the United States, Handbook 44 outlines the requirements for legal for trade scales. When a scale meets the standards set by Handbook 44, it ensures that the scale is capable of providing accurate and consistent measurements repeatedly. In turn, this prevents disputes and ensures fairness in transactional situations.
All legal-for-trade scales must be clearly marked with a sticker, metal plate, or alternate form of identification displaying that the scale is NTEP approved. If the scale is not appropriately marked, it is not considered legal-for-trade and cannot be used in commercial transactions involving weight.
One other requirement for being trade approved is that the scale has been inspected by a calibration service provider for the requirements of HB44. They then submit paperwork to the State Weights and Measures department, although the state reserves the option to retest the scale to verify accuracy.
What's New at Cross
New Pressure Transmitter and Vortex Meter Partner: Azbil
Cross Process Solutions is also pleased to announce our partnership with Azbil North America, a division of Azbil Corporation. Azbil, formerly known as Yatanabe Corporation, was founded in 1906 and produces measurement and control technology for buildings and industrial automation.
In particular, Azbil’s differential pressure transmitters are highly advanced, well made and their two way communication enables self-diagnosis, range resetting, and automatic zero adjustment operations.
Azbil’s vortex flow meters also stand out for their superior technology and quality workmanship. With no moving parts, they need little maintenance and repair and can be used to measure liquids, gases and steam. Watch this video to learn the theory of vortex meters and the features and benefits of the Azbil line.
Did you know?
Planning your holiday shutdown? Consider a tool & gage sweep from Cross Precision Measurement
Watch this Chalk Talk from Cross Precision Measurement (formerly J.A. King) to see what’s involved in a tool sweep
A tool sweep is simple and it can be time consuming, but it ensures you’re audit-ready with a clean, correct slate. If you’re planning a shutdown during the holidays, that’s an ideal time to ask Cross Precision Measurement to come in. We spread out across your operation, opening every drawer and looking into every corner for tools and measurement equipment.
Once a piece of equipment is found, we compare it against your calibration record. If necessary, we update the location in our GageSuite® calibration software so you can be sure to find it again during your audit. We also verify its calibration certificate is up to date. If it’s not, we can calibrate it for you to ensure everything is current for the auditor.
Sample Conditioning: What Is It and When Should You Use It?
For processes with aggressive or otherwise particularly sensitive media, measuring pH, conductivity, or dissolved oxygen is not as easy as pulling measurements from the mainline. Some processes require a media sample to be extracted for treatment and conditioning before an accurate measurement can be made.
Sample conditioning allows operators to understand a process using media samples that would otherwise overwhelm or damage typical sensors due to high pressure, extreme heat or inconsistent flow rates. The experts in Cross Process Solutions can help specify the appropriate sample conditioning elements for your particular process from our partner M4Knick.
Cross Provides Tangible Value for You
Raise Quality
As calibration providers, we know how critical record keeping is for both quality and compliance. Cross’s award-winning, cloud-based calibration software GageSuite® is user friendly and available anywhere.
It’s also ideal for visibility of multiple production locations. Whether those are across the street or across the country, GageSuite® allows you to track every gage and ensure that all of them are within calibration, with one single log-in.
Improve Efficiency
Need flexibility with your moisture analyzer? Cross partner OHaus has just released their new MB line of moisture analyzers which are flexible yet precise and rugged yet innovative.
Models include:
- The MB32: Ideal for routine moisture testing, providing consistent performance for everyday laboratory and production needs.
- The MB62: Versatile and suitable for a variety of moisture applications across the life sciences fields.
- The MB92: Advanced option for users requiring a high level of performance and precision in moisture analysis.
Improve Efficiency
Increasingly volatile prices of feedstock and energy mean that chemical producers are looking to control costs wherever they can. The new 10% overpressure pressure/vacuum relief valve from Cross partner GROTH helps reduce costly product evaporative loss due to normal tank “breathing.”
Different from many traditional vents, which need to be 100% open to achieve the full psi, these vents are able to achieve the same flow capacity with a far lower psi. This leads to better performance at lower cost than pilot-operated vents. They can also be paired with a flame arrestor for applications with explosive concerns.
