ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requires in section 6.1 “The laboratory shall have available the personnel, facilities, equipment, systems and support services necessary to manage and perform its laboratory activities.”
Question: In case that the laboratory is using external personnel, facilities, equipment etc, does “available” means that the laboratory has access to this as personnel, facilities, equipment etc. or does this require written contracts describing a certain power of disposal with respect of personnel, facilities, equipment etc.?
The agreement for the use of external sources like personnel, facilities, equipment, systems and support services shall be recorded (ref. 8.4 ISO/IEC 17025) and shall demonstrate that all of them are available to the laboratory for the maintenance of the accredited status and are operated according to all the requirements set in ISO/IEC 17025.
The agreement shall also not be in contrast with any of the requirements set by ISO/IEC 17025, by the NAB and by national laws.