​NDT organisations may obtain accreditation either as test laboratories (SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005) or as control bodies (SFS-E ISO/IEC 17020:2012). The guidebook takes account of the two standards used as accreditation requirements.

The content of the guidebook has been updated, and details have been added to it, while taking into account the requirements laid down in the above mentioned standards. Compared with the previous version, the content of the guidebook has remained largely unchanged. However, details have been added to certain items. The first item is related to the traceability of the calibration of essential instruments used in testing or inspections. The guidebook refers to the traceability policy of ILAC (ILAC P10), which is a requirements document. ILAC P10 requires that if the traceability of calibrations is done outside the organisation, it must, in the first instance, be performed by a national standard laboratory or accredited calibration laboratory.

The second item refers to determining measurement uncertainties. As a rule, the guidebook requires that measurement uncertainty must be determined for quantitative measurements such as thickness measurements. With regard to qualitative and semi-qualitative measurements, the guidebook requires that the measurement uncertainty components must be identified and taken into consideration.

The guidebook was published on 21 May 2015. The transitional period for the guidebook is one year.

Other guidebooks by published by EA can be found here.
 

Further information: Risto Suominen, director, tel. 029 5052 229, risto.suominen (a) finas.fi