In November 2017, the new ISO/IEC 17025 “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” has been published by the International Standardisation Organizations ISO and IEC.

The transition period to the new international standard for laboratories was determined by 30 November 2020.

At the end of the transition period, the accreditation of a laboratory shall be based on ISO/IEC 17025:2017.

Based on a positive ballot by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the transition period for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 has been extended at the global level to 1 June 2021 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Note: Additional information on the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact on the assessment of conformity assessment bodies see the EA communication https://european-accreditation.org/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-and-the-impact-on-the-assessment-of-conformity-assessment-bodies-26-march-2020/

EA appreciates this extension of the transition period, and accordingly we will launch soon an EA resolution in order to adopt the ILAC decision.

But according to Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, accreditation shall be based on a harmonised standard, which is the case for ISO/IEC 17025:2017. The reference is published in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU), including the transition period. The transition period defined in the OJEU is 31 December 2020.

Therefore, we are in close contact with the European Commission in order to align the transition period with the new ILAC/EA decision. Currently the European Commission is preparing the new regime on a standardisation request for the publication of harmonised standards used for accreditation and conformity assessment. We expect that the new transition period for ISO/IEC 17025:2017 will be published in the OJEU in good time.

Note: More information on “Standardisation requests” under https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/european-standards/requests_en