Don’t we need a harmonized EA policy regarding the accreditation of withdrawn standard (testing/calibration) methods?
We can understand that in some cases – e.g. legislation refers to standards dated version; testing or calibrating a device manufactured 50 years ago maybe not consistent with the application of the current version of a standard – it may be impossible to avoid the use of withdrawn standard methods.
However, those cases should be clearly identified as potential exceptions being the default policy the impossibility to maintain accredited those methods beyond a given timeframe.
The laboratory shall ensure that it uses the latest valid version of a method unless it is not appropriate or possible to do so, as required by ISO/IEC 17025.
Nevertheless there are cases where the laboratory may use a superseded or withdrawn standard either if the revised standard requires some changes in the laboratory (transition from the old to the new version) or in exceptional circumstances (e.g. regulatory requirements, a running contract, etc.).
In case a new version of the standard replaces an old one, a transition time should be required to upgrade equipment or update the training/competence of laboratory’s personnel, etc.; if a standardization body does not specify a transition period for the replacement of a superseded standard we should expect that the AB will do it in order to prevent potential unfair competition among laboratories.
Exceptional circumstances for the use of a superseded standard can be accepted only if the laboratory can prove that the request is based on clear and valid reasons, i.e. mandatory requirements from regulators, a running contract, legislation referring to dated versions of a standard, etc..; records of the contract review shall give evidence of a clear agreement with the customer.
However, if the accreditation scope includes only the previous version of a standard, this should be very clearly marked in the scope as obsolete or superseded, taking into account that the standard method could be no more available.