ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard that specifies requirements for quality and competence in testing and calibration laboratories. It is the main standard used by testing and calibration laboratories and is applicable to all organizations performing laboratory activities, regardless of the number of personnel. The standard requires that laboratories prioritize excellent quality practices and develop a reliable quality management system to establish and demonstrate their competence.

ISO/IEC 17025 enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the world. It also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries. Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which, in turn, improves international trade.

ISO/IEC 17025 is useful for any organization that performs testing, sampling, or calibration and wants reliable results. This includes all types of laboratories, whether they be owned and operated by government, industry, or any other organization. The standard is also useful to universities, research centers, governments, regulators, inspection bodies, product certification organizations, and other conformity assessment bodies with the need to do testing, sampling, or calibration.

ISO/IEC 17025 is based on more technical principles than other ISO quality standards, such as ISO 9000, and applies directly to those organizations that produce testing and calibration results. Laboratories use ISO/IEC 17025 to implement a quality system aimed at improving their ability to consistently produce valid results. Material in the standard also forms the basis for accreditation from an accreditation body.

In summary, ISO/IEC 17025 is an international standard that specifies requirements for quality and competence in testing and calibration laboratories. It enables laboratories to demonstrate their competence and generate valid results, promotes confidence in their work, and facilitates cooperation between laboratories and other bodies. The standard is useful for any organization that performs testing, sampling, or calibration and wants reliable results.