Is ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation a Benefit or Hindrance to Testing Laboratories? The Greek Experience

This study deals with the implementation and the maintenance of the ISO/IEC 17025 quality assurance system in the General Chemical State Laboratory (GCSL) of Greece. The reliability of the test results, as well as the technical competence of such a laboratory renders its accreditation, according to an international quality standard, a necessity of major importance. In the case presented here, the implemented quality assurance system includes senior management commitment, adequate employees train-ing, organizational restructure, systematic and extensive documentation, frequent internal audits and reviews, contract management and complete method validation. The laboratoryʹs test methods, which received accreditation, refer to food product analyses i.e., oils and fats, alcohol and alcoholic spirits, food preservatives, meat and meat products, cereal and cereal products. It is clearly manifested that despite the drawbacks of developing and maintaining an efficient quality assurance system, such as the time-consuming efforts, the increased expenses and the bureaucracy, the whole process can be quite rewarding and fruitful. Improved competitiveness and reliability, increased quality awareness, greater efficiency and teamwork are the key benefits stemming from the application of the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.