Verification vs. Validation vs. Calibration - What is the difference?

I always viewed "calibration" to mean testing the measured parameters, and adjusting if necessary to bring into tolerance, and "certification" to mean obtaining or providing traceability documentation, and "validation" to mean entering it into the system, updating records, and making sure everything is kosher with the applicable operating procedures, and then making it available for it's intended use. For us, we don't really call it "validation" though, we just say it's been QA'ed and ready to go.

Occasionally we get "repair only" work orders where we repair an instrument to get it working, and then we'll calibrate it anyway, taking readings and adjusting if necessary to bring all parameters into tolerance, and we will even provide before and after readings in cases where the repair was to correct out of tolerance readings; but we won't certify it, meaning we won't provide a certificate showing traceability for "repair only" work orders. Then it's up to the customer to calibrate it to their traceable standards.

Just my ...

The thread is very interesting and I thank all the participants for their enlightening inputs.

I would like to offer my 2 cents worth of input:

I think calibration refers to checking something against a graduated scale, while verification refers to verifying something against some set standards to find out whether it meets the same or not, and validation means to find out whether something has the capacity to meet the set standards or not.

surendro

Verification is defined as meeting the functional requirements and validation is nothing but meeting the performance requirements.
I think calibration and verification means the same

The biggest difference is that calibration requires traceability.....

Traceability in turn requires (1) unbroken chain of comparison to National or international standards; and (2) stated uncertainties at each step.

Verification is just that - verifying something, so it is not calibration.

Validation is making sure that whatever is verified or calibrated is fit for the intended use.

Note that neither of these three necessarily require any adjustment or similar.....each MAY require it, but that is not a fast rule.

In the actual sense the word "Calibration" is basically belongs to the instrumentation inspection / verification activity. Mean this refer as a proactive approaches however, the “Validation” is concerned with a reactive approaches mean when after the calibration of an instrument, then u will start using you instrument for it's actual purpose mean testing, then you can say at this time that you take your instrument for validation.

Regard's

Rehan Haider

ISO 17025- Equipment SOP

Hi! I have some question on equipments SOPs. We have a lot of equipments and SOPs for all of these equipments are prepared with approved date and document code (e.g. SOP1-100). Let say we are only applying for Test A. In this test, we only use a few of the equipments and the equipment SOPs are the such like SOP11, SOP15, SOP35.... Equipments other than that is not relevant to Test A.

1. Should I include others equipments SOPs that not relevant to run Test A for ISO17025 application as well?
2. Should I list all equipments into the equipment list for the application kit?or just those relevant to Test A?
3. If let say,only those equipment's SOPs that relevant need to be submit only, can I remain the Document Code as SOP11, SOP15, SOP35..... or I need to re-numbering again?

Some giving suggestion that we only need to list down those equipments and equipment's SOP those are relevant to Test A only. But-I'm feeling so weird! How about other equipments? no need SOP???? :mg:
I'm so confusing!!!! Help!

Our 3rd party cal lab told us that "validation" report could be a summary and conclusion only without detail measuring data. Is that a standard ?

I am in the process of writing a test method validation summary report. can I get a template please
betty

bettyt said:

I am in the process of writing a test method validation summary report. can I get a template please
betty

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What field/product? There are lots of different types. If you give us some more information someone might be able to help out.

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Method validation report for 'X- and Gamma radiation for calibrating dosemeters and determining their response as a function of photon energy"