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Reference Material
Reference documents and regulatory information relevant to ISO 17025 compliance.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017
Structured integration of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, providing a reference for testing and calibration laboratory requirements. The official ISO PDFs remain the primary authoritative source.
4 General requirements
4.1 Impartiality
Laboratory activities shall be undertaken impartially, with proper management and identification of risks that could compromise impartiality.

Reference Material
Reference documents and regulatory information relevant to ISO 17025 compliance.
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017
  Structured integration of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, providing a reference for testing and calibration laboratory requirements. The official ISO PDFs remain the primary authoritative source.
  - Foreword
  - Introduction
    This document establishes requirements for laboratories to ensure competence, confidence, and valid results, aligning with ISO 9001 principles. It emphasizes risk-based planning, cooperation, and harmonization of standards while outlining key terminology usage.
  - 1 Scope
    This document defines the general requirements for laboratory competence, impartiality, and consistent operation, applicable to all organizations conducting laboratory activities.
  - 2 Normative References
    This section lists documents that are referenced in the text as requirements. Dated references apply to specific editions, while undated references apply to the latest version, including amendments.
  - 3 Terms and Definitions
    This section defines the terms used in this document. It references ISO/IEC Guide 99 and ISO/IEC 17000, along with additional terms specific to this standard.
  - 4 General requirements
    - 4.1 Impartiality
      Laboratory activities shall be undertaken impartially, with proper management and identification of risks that could compromise impartiality.
    - 4.2 Confidentiality
      The laboratory shall ensure the confidentiality of all information obtained or created during laboratory activities, except as required by law or agreed upon with the customer.
  - 5 Structural requirements
  - 6 Resource requirements
  - 7 Process requirements
  - 8 Management system requirements
  - Annex A (Informative) Metrological Traceability
  - Annex B (Informative) Management System Options
    This annex provides additional information on the management system options available to laboratories, ensuring conformity to ISO 9001 while fulfilling the requirements of this document.

4.1 Impartiality

Laboratory activities shall be undertaken impartially, with proper management and identification of risks that could compromise impartiality.

4.1.1 Impartiality in Laboratory Activities

The laboratory shall undertake its activities impartially and ensure they are structured and managed to safeguard impartiality.

4.1.2 Commitment to Impartiality

Laboratory management shall be committed to impartiality.

4.1.3 Responsibility for Impartiality

The laboratory is responsible for ensuring the impartiality of its activities and shall not allow commercial, financial, or other pressures to compromise impartiality.

4.1.4 Identifying Risks to Impartiality

The laboratory shall identify risks to its impartiality on an ongoing basis. This includes risks arising from laboratory activities, relationships, or personnel.

Note:

A relationship that threatens the impartiality of the laboratory can be based on factors such as:

Ownership
Governance
Management
Personnel
Shared resources
Finances
Contracts
Marketing (including branding)
Payment of a sales commission or inducements for customer referrals

4.1.5 Managing Risks to Impartiality

If a risk to impartiality is identified, the laboratory must demonstrate how it eliminates or minimizes the risk.