World Stable Despite Political Turmoil
28 February 2003
The International Earth Rotation Service (yes,
there really is an expert body that is responsible for this crucial
characteristic of our planet !) recently announced that there will
be no need to introduce a "leap second" into our timescales
for the foreseeable future.
Time to Explore
28 March 2003
Japan’s National Museum of Emerging Science
and Innovation (MeSci) in Tokyo is showcasing the Agilent 5071A
caesium beam primary frequency standard (or atomic clock) as part
of its “Exploration of Time” exhibition from March 19
through June 30, 2003. Opened in July 2001, MeSci is the newest
-- and one of the biggest -- museums in Japan to focus on leading-edge
science and technology. Popular with both children and adults, the
museum attracted more than 500,000 visitors in its first year of
operation.
Sponsored in part by Agilent, the “Exploration of Time”
exhibit delves into the wonders and concepts of time from diverse
perspectives. Agilent’s caesium beam primary frequency standard
demonstrates the preciseness of time, the meaning of simultaneity
and how gravity can affect a clock’s speed.
ISO10012 Gets Sexy New Name
12 June 2003
A completely revised version of the standard cited
in ISO9001 as providing guidance on measurement issues has been
published. The 2003 edition of ISO10012 replaces ISO10012-1:1992
and ISO10012-2:1997 combination. Not only that; its title has also
been sexed-up!
The lexically cumbersome Quality Assurance
Requirements for Measuring Equipment : Metrological Confirmation
System for Measuring Equipment (part 1) and Guidelines for
Control of Measurement Processes (part 2) has been renamed Measurement
Management Systems -- Requirements for measurement processes
and measuring equipment.
For that change alone, I'm sure it should attract
a younger, more affluent audience!!
Use of the standard is not a requirement of ISO9001
and news of the update is bound to re-open the debate as to whether
its duality with ISO/IEC17025, which is sometimes considered to
cover the same subject matter,confuses the marketplace. Although
there is some truth in that opinion, the fact is that 17025 is firmly
focussed on service providers like calibration labs whereas 10012
is aimed more to those who must make measurements to maintain quality
in their own processes or product.
An educational stance is reflected in the content
of the new standard, where the requirements are followed by clear,
interpretative guidance for practical implementation.
Hurry ! Time Running Out for Adoption of ISO9001:2000
31 July 2003
The ISO has recently published its latest analysis
of certification against the well-known quality management standard.
Their annual survey reports that by the end of last year over 560
thousand certifications had been granted and the, almost linear,
upward trend had continued.
However, despite the up-beat tone of ISO's announcement,
concerns remain that companies are not migrating quickly enough
from their existing conformity with the now obsolete 1994 version
of the standard. When the current version was published in December
2000, a three-year period of grace was allowed for transition before
re-assessment must be made. With one year remaining, the survey
reveals that less than 30% of certificates related to the current
standard.
It means that at least 390,000 certifications
must occur this year if the number of conformant suppliers is not
to decline! To be frank, it seems unlikely that such a number could
be processed and companies that look first to ISO9001-certified
vendors will have more limited choice as 1994-based registrations
expire.
So, if you're organization isn't yet in transition,
there's just one thing to say:
" Get yer skates on mate ! " [*]
| [*] From the classic British movie
of the 1960s starring Michael Caine, The Italian Job,
specifically lyrics of Getta Bloomin' Move On (also known
as the Self Preservation Society song). |
 |
Voting Begins on ISO/IEC17025 Amendment
26 November 2003
The ISO recently issued a draft amendment, officially
numbered "ISO/IEC 17025:1999/FPDAM 1", to its membership
for the customary 5-month voting period which ends next April.
Prepared by its Committee on Conformity Assessment,
CASCO, the original hope was to align section 4 of 17025 with ISO9001:2000
(it's currently aligned with the 1994 version). However, this was
eventually judged to require major work and so the Working Group
concluded its deliberations with a recommendation to make only minimal
changes to satisfy a statement that the quality management system
requirements of 17025 would now align with the principles of 9001:2000.
If the amendment is unanimously approved, the
standard will be reissued as ISO/IEC17025:2004. But in the case
of significant comments and unfavorable voting, another year may
pass before
publication.
A full review and possible revision would then
not take place for at least a further 5 years, at which time the
revision of 9001 would occur and it is hoped that the two revision
efforts would happen synchronously and in harmony.
Amongst the amendment proposals are the disappearance
of "quality" in favor of "management" systems
and "clients" who will transform into "customers".
But it is the acknowledgment that 17025 conformity cannot be considered
equivalent to meeting 9001's criteria that could cause greatest
concern to labs without separate registration. ISO9000 certification
is often a fundamental selection criterion for specifiers and purchasers.
At least until the end of 2003, when the possible acceptance of
existing certification to the 1994 version is finally discontinued,
those 17025-accredited labs have not needed an ISO9001:2000 certificate.
The dilemma they now face is whether to increase their costs by
seeking registration or risking that they are able to convince potential
customers that "meeting the principles of ISO9001" is
good enough.
Your country's CASCO member organization will,
undoubtedly, welcome your comments on the draft amendment in order
that they can formulate a consensus voting position.
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