French Translation Error in ISO/IEC 17025:2017

Bulletin date:
Bulletin number:
2018-04

Action required

Noting the issue described below

 

Affected customers

All testing and calibration laboratory customers and assessors

 

Background

It has come to SCC’s attention that there is an error in the French edition of ISO/IEC 17025:2017. For clause 7.7.1, the English version of the standard reads:

“The laboratory shall have a procedure for monitoring the validity of results. The resulting data shall be recorded in such a way that trends are detectable and, where practicable, statistical techniques shall be applied to review the results. This monitoring shall be planned and reviewed and shall include, where appropriate, but not be limited to:”

 

However, in the French version, the standard reads:

7.7.1 Le laboratoire doit disposer d’une procédure pour surveiller la validité des résultats. Les données résultantes doivent être enregistrées de sorte que les tendances soient détectables et, lorsque cela est faisable, des techniques statistiques doivent être appliquées à l’examen des résultats. Cette surveillance doit être planifiée et revue et peut inclure le cas échéant, sans s’y limiter, les pratiques suivantes:”

 

The word “peut” translates in English as “can” or “may”.

 

SCC has sought out clarification from ISO, and we have been informed that the English version is correct. ISO has also stated that they are working on issuing a correction as soon as possible. The official position is that the English version is correct, and the intended word is “shall” in English and “doit” in French.

 

This is the fourth in a series of bulletins that SCC will issue with regards to the transition to the new version of ISO/IEC 17025. The first three are available here:

https://www.scc.ca/en/accreditation/bulletins/accreditation-services-bulletin-2017-10

https://www.scc.ca/en/accreditation/bulletins/accreditation-services-bulletin-2017-27

https://www.scc.ca/en/accreditation/bulletins/iso-iec-17025-transition-collaboration-between-scc-cala-bnq-and-nrc-clas-establish-a-canadian

 

New requirements

None, other than the clarification noted above.

 

Deadline

This clarification is in effect immediately.

 

Questions?

Please contact Elias Rafoul, Vice President Accreditation Services, at elias.rafoul@scc.ca or +1 613 238 3222 for more information.