Changes

= '''CNSC laboratory achieves a milestone in [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO 17025] accreditation''' =

<blockquote>'''CNSC laboratory achieves a milestone in [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO 17025] accreditation'''</blockquote>Accreditation for gamma calibration services achieved, more to come

Accreditation for gamma calibration services achieved, more to come

'''<big>Written by: Aslam Ibrahim</big>'''  

'''<big>Written by: Aslam Ibrahim</big>'''  

The laboratory maintains the reference measurement standard through annual calibrations that are performed by the [https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/instrument-calibration-services/ionizing-radiation-standards-calibration-services NRC]. The laboratory then calibrates the working measurement standard in-house by directly comparing it to the (calibrated) reference measurement standard. The calibration of the working measurement standards has also been accredited by SCC and NRC CLAS.

The laboratory maintains the reference measurement standard through annual calibrations that are performed by the [https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/instrument-calibration-services/ionizing-radiation-standards-calibration-services NRC]. The laboratory then calibrates the working measurement standard in-house by directly comparing it to the (calibrated) reference measurement standard. The calibration of the working measurement standards has also been accredited by SCC and NRC CLAS.

==== '''What is accreditation and why is it important?''' ====

=== '''What is accreditation and why is it important?''' ===

[[File:Certificate.png|thumb|Certificate of accreditation for CNSC laboratory issued by SCC and NRC CLAS]]

[[File:Certificate.png|thumb|Certificate of accreditation for CNSC laboratory issued by SCC and NRC CLAS]]

Laboratory accreditation is a formal process of recognition by a third party organization to establish that a laboratory is technically competent and impartial. The CNSC laboratory was required to demonstrate its ability to produce precise and accurate test and calibration data, and to show the technical competence of staff. [https://ilac.org/publications-and-resources/ilac-promotional-brochures/ Learn more].

Laboratory accreditation is a formal process of recognition by a third party organization to establish that a laboratory is technically competent and impartial. The CNSC laboratory was required to demonstrate its ability to produce precise and accurate test and calibration data, and to show the technical competence of staff. [https://ilac.org/publications-and-resources/ilac-promotional-brochures/ Learn more].

This recognition is important because, in all its efforts to fulfill its mandate, the CNSC strives continuously not only to achieve excellence in its operations, but also to foster public trust and confidence. The CNSC laboratory is no exception. With the calibration services becoming accredited by recognized bodies like the SCC and NRC CLAS, the CNSC laboratory has received a significant global mark of approval of high quality of its services. This in turn contributes to building public trust and confidence in the laboratory’s operations and the CNSC as a whole.

This recognition is important because, in all its efforts to fulfill its mandate, the CNSC strives continuously not only to achieve excellence in its operations, but also to foster public trust and confidence. The CNSC laboratory is no exception. With the calibration services becoming accredited by recognized bodies like the SCC and NRC CLAS, the CNSC laboratory has received a significant global mark of approval of high quality of its services. This in turn contributes to building public trust and confidence in the laboratory’s operations and the CNSC as a whole.

==== '''What did the accreditation process involve?''' ====

=== '''What did the accreditation process involve?''' ===

During this voluntary process, specialist technical assessors from NRC CLAS and NRC Measurement Science and Standards first conducted a thorough desktop assessment of the management system manual documentation and then a rigorous onsite evaluation of the laboratory’s processes, staff and equipment.

During this voluntary process, specialist technical assessors from NRC CLAS and NRC Measurement Science and Standards first conducted a thorough desktop assessment of the management system manual documentation and then a rigorous onsite evaluation of the laboratory’s processes, staff and equipment.

Upon concluding that the CNSC Laboratory met all requirements of the stringent [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] standard, NRC CLAS recommended accreditation to the SCC, which reviewed the results of assessment and granted the recognition.

Upon concluding that the CNSC Laboratory met all requirements of the stringent [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] standard, NRC CLAS recommended accreditation to the SCC, which reviewed the results of assessment and granted the recognition.

==== '''How do CNSC staff members (customers) and licensees benefit?''' ====

=== '''How do CNSC staff members (customers) and licensees benefit?''' ===

The results of the process showcase the technical and service-oriented capabilities of the CNSC laboratory, including highly professional technical staff, equipment, processes, and successful participation in proficiency testing. Together these features make the laboratory a leader in calibration services that are crucial for reliable radiation measurements – a key component of nuclear regulation.

The results of the process showcase the technical and service-oriented capabilities of the CNSC laboratory, including highly professional technical staff, equipment, processes, and successful participation in proficiency testing. Together these features make the laboratory a leader in calibration services that are crucial for reliable radiation measurements – a key component of nuclear regulation.

The [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] accreditation provides high confidence to both the regulator and licensees in the data used for key analyses and regulatory decisions.

The [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] accreditation provides high confidence to both the regulator and licensees in the data used for key analyses and regulatory decisions.

==== '''What were the challenges the laboratory faced while preparing for accreditation?'''[edit | edit source] ====

=== '''What were the challenges the laboratory faced while preparing for accreditation?'''[edit | edit source] ===

Adapting all in-house MS Excel  spreadsheets, writing procedures and work instructions to comply with all the  [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] standard requirements was certainly a big challenge. There  are a lot of documents!

Adapting all in-house MS Excel  spreadsheets, writing procedures and work instructions to comply with all the  [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005] standard requirements was certainly a big challenge. There  are a lot of documents!

[[File:Clifford.png|thumb|Instrumentation Technologist Clifford Chouinor sets up working standard for calibration at the CNSC laboratory]]

[[File:Clifford.png|thumb|Instrumentation Technologist Clifford Chouinor sets up working standard for calibration at the CNSC laboratory]]

It is important to note  that the accreditation task presented to the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)  and NRC CLAS, with the measurement scope that the CNSC laboratory sought, was  the first of its kind for all three of these primary project stakeholders, and  a first for Canada. The unique scope of accreditation turned out to be a  challenge for the SCC and the NRC Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (NRC  CLAS), as the requirements for the analysis of measurement uncertainties and  model equations, in addition to data analysis of the measurements and  interpretation of the comparison of results from PT exercises are different from  other physical and electrical metrological calibrations.

It is important to note  that the accreditation task presented to the Standards Council of Canada (SCC)  and NRC CLAS, with the measurement scope that the CNSC laboratory sought, was  the first of its kind for all three of these primary project stakeholders, and  a first for Canada. The unique scope of accreditation turned out to be a  challenge for the SCC and the NRC Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (NRC  CLAS), as the requirements for the analysis of measurement uncertainties and  model equations, in addition to data analysis of the measurements and  interpretation of the comparison of results from PT exercises are different from  other physical and electrical metrological calibrations.

==== '''What’s next?'''[edit | edit source] ====

=== '''What’s next?'''[edit | edit source] ===

The [https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/calibration-laboratory-assessment-service/directory-accredited-calibration-laboratories/clas-certificate-number-2016-05 current scope of accreditation] includes working measurement standards for air kerma measurements, gamma survey meters, and personal electronic dosimeters. The CNSC laboratory has prepared a project management plan to extend the scope to include electronic and radiological calibrations of survey meters for gamma, neutron, alpha and beta radiation measurements, as well as energy calibrations of the spectrometers used for gamma and neutron measurements. There’s lots more to do!  [[File:Typical_equipment.png|thumb|Typical instruments that the CNSC laboratory calibrates under the scope of accreditation]]

The [https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/calibration-laboratory-assessment-service/directory-accredited-calibration-laboratories/clas-certificate-number-2016-05 current scope of accreditation] includes working measurement standards for air kerma measurements, gamma survey meters, and personal electronic dosimeters. The CNSC laboratory has prepared a project management plan to extend the scope to include electronic and radiological calibrations of survey meters for gamma, neutron, alpha and beta radiation measurements, as well as energy calibrations of the spectrometers used for gamma and neutron measurements. There’s lots more to do!  [[File:Typical_equipment.png|thumb|Typical instruments that the CNSC laboratory calibrates under the scope of accreditation]]

==== '''How can CNSC staff members suggest improvements to the laboratory?'''[edit | edit source] ====

=== '''How can CNSC staff members suggest improvements to the laboratory?'''[edit | edit source] ===

Through annual customer satisfaction surveys that the CNSC laboratory conducts, CNSC staff members who have used the laboratory services in the previous year can provide feedback on their quality, including suggestions for improvement. The CNSC laboratory has been conducting such surveys since 2015, and has taken action to address comments from its customers to meet its commitment to provide a high service level and meet customer expectations. One such action was to respond to the suggestion to provide links to instrument manuals from the laboratory’s Web page.

Through annual customer satisfaction surveys that the CNSC laboratory conducts, CNSC staff members who have used the laboratory services in the previous year can provide feedback on their quality, including suggestions for improvement. The CNSC laboratory has been conducting such surveys since 2015, and has taken action to address comments from its customers to meet its commitment to provide a high service level and meet customer expectations. One such action was to respond to the suggestion to provide links to instrument manuals from the laboratory’s Web page.

[[File:Control_room.png|thumb|Control room for remote handling of equipment and sources during calibration ]]

[[File:Control_room.png|thumb|Control room for remote handling of equipment and sources during calibration ]]

The CNSC laboratory gamma calibration service now operates within a quality management system that complies with the requirements of [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005]. As specified in the quality management system, the laboratory implements mechanisms including, but not limited to, proficiency testing, customer satisfaction surveys, internal reviews, management reviews, and corrective and preventative actions to drive continual improvement, which is the true intention of the ISO/IEC standard.

The CNSC laboratory gamma calibration service now operates within a quality management system that complies with the requirements of [https://www.iso.org/standard/39883.html ISO/IEC 17025:2005]. As specified in the quality management system, the laboratory implements mechanisms including, but not limited to, proficiency testing, customer satisfaction surveys, internal reviews, management reviews, and corrective and preventative actions to drive continual improvement, which is the true intention of the ISO/IEC standard.