ISO 17025

Elevate Your Laboratory Standards with SYTECH's Consultancy Services

At SYTECH, we understand the complexities and challenges that come with achieving and maintaining ISO 17025 accreditation. Our consultancy services are designed to help laboratories navigate this intricate process with ease, leveraging our extensive experience and robust systems developed over years of maintaining our own comprehensive ISO 17025 accreditation portfolio.

ISO 17025 Accreditation represents a significant set of requirements split into 5 distinctive categories:

  • Scope
  • Normative Resources
  • Terms and Definitions
  • Management Requirements
  • Technical Requirements

Areas that may be assessed within the above categories include, but are not limited to: Testing and Calibration Standards, Business and Management Function, Control of Records, Contract Review, Staff Competence and Proficiency, Documented Procedures, Equipment Standards, Method Validation, Quality Management/Assurance, Internal and External Auditing, and Security.

Why Choose SYTECH for ISO 17025 Consultancy?

Proven Experience and Expertise

Since achieving our first ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2016, SYTECH has expanded its portfolio to cover multiple UK locations, encompassing both computing and mobile phone/device forensics. Our team has managed one of the most rigorous accreditation assessment portfolios within the digital forensics community, completing numerous UKAS assessment audits and maintaining continuous accreditation.

Comprehensive Support

SYTECH offers support and development with a mature, integrated Quality Management System (QMS) and Information Security Management System (ISMS), based on a systematic standards-based approach to managing sensitive data.

Our consultancy covers all critical aspects, including Access Control, Data Processing, Software Control, Data & Systems Backup, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery, Acceptable Usage, Data & Asset Disposal, Password & Encryption Key Management, and more.

 

Support in any phase of your journey:

Determination of requirements: We personally achieved this initially using an external contractor/consultant. However, it was soon realised, in response to the volume of preparatory work required, that a full-time Quality Manager was required to facilitate the journey.

Setting up the policies, procedures & gathering evidence: This process initially took SYTECH over 12-months to set up one of its main laboratories. Our own approach was a stepped progression, firstly gaining accreditation for one site and discipline, then working in stages through the four remaining sites – a process that took nearly four years. This was a five-year journey from conception to completion of SYTECH’s first UKAS cycle.

Maintaining accreditation: Once successfully accredited, continual work is required to ensure that we maintain adherence to the stringent standards. This is reviewed when UKAS conduct annual inspections, in addition to unannounced inspections.

Meet Our Expert Team

SYTECH's consultancy team comprises experienced professionals with extensive expertise in ISO 17025 implementation across various disciplines. Our team includes technical and non-technical experts, auditors, and advisors who have a proven track record of achieving positive accreditation outcomes.

Long-Term Partnership

Our goal is to build a long-term partnership with your laboratory, providing ongoing support even after you achieve your ISO 17025 accreditation. We offer continued consultancy, hands-on auditing, and assistance with validation and verification to ensure your laboratory remains compliant and efficient.

The Assessment Process – Initial

Presently, UKAS is the only UK assessment body able to provide accreditation to the ISO 17025 standard.

https://www.ukas.com/about/about-accreditation/the-accreditation-process/

A pre-requisite of assessment is the requirement to have a fully defined Quality Management System and a full set of procedures covering all aspects of the prescribed ISO 17025 standard.   This takes significant time and resource to develop.

The assessment process is broadly defined as follows:

  • Make an application for Assessment. Submit an assessment plan and supporting documentation/evidence prior to assessment.
  • UKAS conduct on-site assessment with witness audits for both technical and non-technical assessments. Separate UKAS assessors are appointed for technical/non-technical work and for each technical discipline.
  • UKAS assessors identify ‘improvement actions’ and make recommendations for change where required. An assessment report is provided detailing changes required.
  • The business is then afforded a period to make the necessary improvement actions and to submit evidence of the actions/changes back to UKAS for their review.
  • Subject to acceptance/approval of improvement actions UKAS will then move to approve, refuse or revoke accreditation status.

UKAS also offer a pre-assessment (optional), which is an informal visit prior to the initial assessment – used to determine how ready you are for accreditation.

The Assessment Process – Ongoing

  • Annual UKAS surveillance visits are scheduled mandatory events once accreditation is granted.
  • Every 4 years (1 UKAS cycle), an in-depth re-assessment is carried out by UKAS with aspects of the entire quality management system assessed.
  • In all cases, surveillance visits have resulted in preparation time (weeks to a couple of months), time out to assist UKAS auditors and to be on-hand for any questions, and finally time to conduct and report on improvement actions identified by the UKAS assessors.
  • Extension to Scope (ETS) visits are then initiated with the intention of adding services and/or Labs/sites to the accreditation portfolio.
  • Unannounced visits are initiated by UKAS without prior notice or warning and always incur assessment costs.

Our Consultancy Process

Stage 1: Initial Assessment and Planning

  • Review your current status with an on-site/remote gap analysis.
  • Devise agreed action points and assign roles and responsibilities for project objectives.
  • Understand stakeholder key objectives, budgets and timescales.

Stage 2: Progress Review and Adjustment

  • Monitor project objectives against the timetable to ensure consistent progress.
  • Adjust strategies as needed to stay on track for assessment readiness.

Stage 3: Final Preparation

  • Conduct a final readiness assessment, ensuring all preparations are complete ahead of the assessment visit.

Transparent Pricing and Tailored Services

We believe in transparent pricing and provide detailed quotes upfront. Our consultancy services are tailored to your specific needs, offering flexibility and adaptability. Additional services and extensions are available at standard hourly rates, ensuring you receive comprehensive support throughout your accreditation journey.

Contact us

Ready to elevate your laboratory standards with SYTECH's ISO 17025 consultancy services? Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your journey to accreditation.

01782 286300 Contact Us