NEWS

Report on the Results o/Assessor Responses Receiued for Exercise # 2 : Judging Compliance with the Requirements of ISO/IEC 77O25 (7999)
Intrcduction
In the spring of 2004, AZLA provided allILAC signatories and appligants with an exercise *2 that would challenge the signatories laboratory assessors to determine if the situations described in the exercise were complaint or noncompliant with the requirements of |SO,4EC 77 O25 (1.999). (ln 2002,ISRAC provided the first exercise on judging nonconformities.) Both exercises were done to determine the degree of uniformity between the assessors used by the different ILAC laboratory accreditation bodies and to allow each accreditation body to look at the results from within their own group of surveyed as-sessors.
Five situations were described in Exercise 2 Each situation contained information gathered at an assessment for which a non-conformity (NC) against the requirements of ISO/IEC 77O25 might be raised. The assessors were to exam situation carefully, and then take one of the following

l
l
:

Accreditation Body
Ema Mexico

# Assessor:

Comments
This may have been a collective response

t.lA Norway

o o

$AC.Singapore

ttdgL tnoia
SAS Switzerland JAB Japan
NATA Australia

43

tz
15

29
ZU

DMSC Thailand

RvA Netherlands lA Japan

OAA Argentina

17

69
1

This was a collective response

ISRAC lsrael PCA Poland

KOLAS Korea

15

a)

If they thought there was sufficient evidence to raise a NC, they would mark tl-re NC box with an X and mark the text box with the clause (or sub clause) of ISO,/IEC 17 025 against which the NC had been raised.

60
18

UKAS United Kingdom

DACH/DASMIN Germanr

30
8
B

b)

If they did nof think there was sufficient evidence to raise an NC, they would mark the observation box with an X. In the text box, they would mark the relevant clause (or sub clause) of ISO,ziEC 17 025 and state iheir reasons for drawing the observation and state what further evidence they would need to seek.

DAP Germany

IANZ New Zealand

BMWA Austria
Cgcre/f nmetro Brazil

11

35

/o
1

HKAS Hong Kong

The following table identifies the participating ILAC

accreditation bodies and the number of their assessors who
responded.
21 Accreditation Bodies
481 Totals
:

This was a collective response

,.

'i
f I

Resulfs
There did not appear to be a great deal of misunderstanding about the situations that were described for each of the

The most relevant section of ISO,/IEC 17025 is clause 4.7.

There is no requirement in clause 4.7 Ior any kind of written

five scenarios. In most cases, the

a.ssessors properly interpreted each situation. In several cases, the assessors did not carefully read the scenario and so their responses

procedure for allowing their client to monitor their own test processes, so this would be an obseruation.

were off the mark. The assessors offered an array of responses with respect to the relevant clauses of ISO,zIEC 77025 that should be cited. There was also disparity in the decisions reached between assessors concerning whether
a situaticjn resulted in a deficiency or an observation. There

The assessor could seek further evidence of compliance with clause 4.7 by observing the visiting client to see if appropriate cooperation was given by the laboratory and to see if confidentiality of other clients' work was being maintained per section 4.1.5c of ISO/IEC 17025.
7

was little consistency between the 48 1 assessors or between

the assessors within each accreditation body, except in

those cases where a collective response was received.

Summary of the Responses Receiued of Exercise 2 by IIAC

% Citing an NC

for Scenario #

41%

Each scenario is restated below, just as it appeared in Exercise 2.Then the "expected response" (as determined by the exercise creator) is stated for each scenario. Following that is a brief summary of the types of answers that were received and specific comments if any particular trends were seen. The percentages are based on the total number of assessors that reported the required information for each scenario. This report has been submitted to the ILAC Accreditation Issues Committee for a decision on anv further actions that may be needed.

% Citing an observation

59% 56%

% Marking the most

relevant clause, 4.7

Other clauses cited

4.1.4, 4.1.5 b,c,d; 4.2.1: 4.2.2: 4.2.3

4.4.1 : 4.4.2: 4.8: 5.3.2; 5.3.4; 5.4.7 .2 b

s.8. 5.8.1

Specific Cotntnents :
10 assessors did not give a response to this scenario.

EXERCISE # 2
Scenorio | :
At a small, privately-owned testing laboratory, the assessor noted that a client was visiting the laboratory to monitor the conduct of his testing. When the assessor questioned the laboratory's quality manager about procedures for allowing their client to monitor their own test processes, the quality manager replied that no procedures had been prepared.

10 assessors cited Note 1,A under section 4.7. Notes are not normative text.

Many of the assessors cited the need for a written

procedure, especially to address confidentiality or contract review. Others cited issues with access to laboratory areas.

Surntn ary of N ABL Assessor's Response.

% Citing an NC % Citing an observation 42%

58%
74%

Expected Response:
The assessor in this example asked the laboratory rep for a proc.edure t'or allowing their client to monitor their own test processes.

% Marking the most

relevant clause. 4.7

Other clauses cited

4.1.5c, d, 4.2.1 , 4.2.3; 4.4.1: 5.4.7.2b:

5.8

\>-

Summary of the ResPonses Received for Scenario 2 of Exercise2bY ILAC.

% Citing an NC % Citing an observation % Marking the most relevant clause, 4.1.4
B4"k

16%

49"k
4.
1
.

Other clauses cited

5 a, b,c,d, e,f ,h,i,

-2-2: 4.2.4, 4.3 -3',

4 9.1: 5.2.1; 5.2.3; 5.2-4; 5.2.5: 5-3-4

Specific comments:
NC
OBSERVATION

5 assessors did not give a response to this scenario'

Scenario 2
Topnotch Laboratory is an in-house laboratory that supports

assessors cited Note 1

or Note 2 under section 4 1 4

Notes are not normative text

an automotive manufacturing company' Topnotch Laboratory's Technical Manager resigned three months
prior to the on-site assessment. Until a suitable replacement can be found, the manager of the Topnotch Production Facility has assumed the duties of the technical manager' He is ultimately responsible for the production line' the laboratory that tests samples from the production line' and the data from these tests that accompanies each production shipment. The management system documents do not
address this temporary situatton'

Many assessors cited clauses relating to the appointment of deputies. or the technical knowledge of the production
manager

Summary of NABLAssessor's Response

% Citing an NC 91"k
9"/"

% Citinq an observation % Marking the most relevant clause, 4.'l .4

47"/"

Other clauses cited

4.1.5 a,b,c,d,t,h,i; 4.2.2; 4.3-3; 5.2;

5.2.1

Expected ResPonse

1W" Of immediate concern is the need for the laboratory to go"/" Manager/ Technical the of define the responsibilities

production Manager in order to identify potential of interest.

conflicts

Bo"/"

7o"/"

The most relevant section of ISO/IEC 17025 is

clause

60"k
uo..^
4O"k

4.1.4.
Per

4.7.4,this relationship must be defined and the scenario 3o"k to 2o"/" states that there are no management system documents 1o"/" address this temporary situation, so this would 6e a nonconf

ormitY.

O"/"

OBSERVATION

RELAVANT CTAUSE

Scenario 3
During an assessment, a production engineer from a metals fabrication company entered its in-house laboratory and asked a laboratory technician for a microm eter. He needed to do a quick measurement of a sheet of steel to be used in the fabrication machine. He took the micrometer out to the shop floor, performed his measurement, came back into the laboratory and returned the micrometer to the technician. The technician ran a quick check of the micrometer against a couple of his gauge blocks before using the micrometer for his test measurements.

Specific Comments

6 assessors did not give a response to this scenario. Many of the assessors seemed most concerned about the production engineer's access to the laboratory. but it seems clear that because the production engineer checked in with the technician when he took and returned the micrometer, access by this production manager was not an issue for this laboratory, under these circumstances.

Summary of NABL Assessors Response

% Citing an NC
21"/" 72"/" 44"/"

Expected Response
% Citinq an observation

This scenario .is allowed per section 5.5.9 of ISO/IEC 77O25, so the most relevant clause is 5.5.9.
There does not appear to be sufficient objective evidence in this scenario that a non conformity has occurred, though the assessor would mosl assuredly have to investigate further to be sure, so this is an obseruation.

% Marking the most

relevant clause, 5.5.9

Other clauses cited

4.1.5 a: 5.4.'l ; 5.5; 5.5.1 ; 5.5.2; 5.5.3; 5.5.3.3;5.5.5; 5.5.6; 5.5.10; 5.6;5.6.1 ;
5.6.3.1

The assessor should seek further evidence of compliance with the following clauses of ISO,zIEC 77025.

2 assessors did not give a response to this scenario

B0%-]

5.2.5 and 5.5.3, Find out if the production engineer was authorized to use the micrometer

7o%1 60%-]
50%--]

5.5.6, Find out it' the correct procedures for handling, transporting and using measuring equipment exist and were followed by the production engrneer
5.5.10: Find out if the technician's quick check of the micrometer upon its return properly followed a written
procedure.

4O"h'' 300/"-

20"/"-

10%I

Summary of the Response Received for Scenario #3 of Exercise 2 by Il"{C.

% Citing an NC % Citing an observatior % Marking the most relevant clause, 5.5.9
17%

O"/"

NC

OBSERVATION

RELAVAN

scenario 4

.LAUSE

73/"
48%

This commercially available testing laboratory's procedure, SOP 17.8 states in section 5 - 7:

I
I

a) b)

Every test item received from the clients shall be placed

I I

in a blue bin. .5 a,e; 4.12; 5.2.2; 5.2.5: 5.3.4 5.4.1; 5.5; 5.5.1; 5.5.3;5.5.6; 5.6.3.1 5.8.1; 5.5.10; 5.6; 5.6.1
4.'f

Other clauses cited

of sample submission, and a unique numerical

identification generated by the database.

Each blue bin shall be tagged with the date and time

c)

When not undergoing testing, all test items are to be slored in their bins.

Specific Comments

During the assessment of this laboratory, the assessor noticed several test items on shelves at technicians' workstations; not in their bins. When asked, a technician responded, "Well, the items are on the shelf in the order that they came in- If we don't remove them from the bins, we end up with too many bins on the floor. We remove the items in order and stack the bins. As we pull the samples off of the shelves, we know that the next sample goes with the bottom bin!" Expected response
This is first and foremost, an issue where the laboratory is not following their own procedure for handling items. because the items are not kept inblue bins when not under test; they are stored on shelves. This would be a non-conformity against the laboratory's own written procedure, SOP 17.8, sections 5-7. The most relevant section of ISOIEC 77O25 is clause 5.8.1.
The assessor would have to find further objective evidence of item confusion in order to cite against 5.8.2 or 5.8.4. As the scenario is written, there is no evidence that the laboratory's practice of keeping the items on the shelves results in any confusion.

1 assessor did not give a response to this scenario.

Nearly 50% of the assessors cited either clause 5.8.2 or 5.8.4, though the scenario did not state that the assessor found any confusion in identification, or loss or damage of test items.

Summary of NABL Assessor's Response

% Citing an NC
93"/"
70/

% Citing an observation % Marking the most relevant clause. 5.8- l

26"/"

Other clauses cited

4.2.1: 4.2.2 d; 5.2.2;5.3.5;5.7; 5.7.3;

5.8: 5.8.2: 5.8.4

\W" 90"/"
8O"/" 7O"/"

60%50"/" -

Unless the assessor finds objective evidence of item

confusion, the laboratory could simply revise their SOP 17.8 to indicate the use of shelves rather than bins to resolve

40"k 30"k 20"/" -

this non-conformity.

o"k _
10%

Summary of the Responses Received for Scenario # 4 of Exercise 2 by ILAC.

% Citino an NC % Citing an observation % Marking the most relevant clause, 5.8.1
8'1"/"

NC

OBSERVATON

*:ilXtt.

Scenario 5 The assessor at a small automotive testing laboratory noticed during an assessment that a technician measured the thickness of the wall of a tube by using a micrometer (best reading 0.01 mm). For the final judgment, the mean value of 8 separate measurements was determined. In the
test report for this measurement, the laboratory included the following statement under the "Conclusions" section of the reDort:

19%
11"/"

Other clauses cited

4.

5a,g; 4.2; 4.2.1 ; 4.2.'lb;4.2.2d; 4.3:

4.3.1; 4.3.2.2b; 4.4.1b; 4.9; 4.9.1;

0.1; 4.14: 5.2; 5.2.1, 5.2.2: 5.3.5; 5.4; 5.4.1 ;5.5.4; 5.7 ; 5.7.3; 5.8; 5.8.2; 5.8.4
4.1

The mean ualue of the wqll thickness of the tubes is 0.703 mm and lies aboue the required minimum
thickness ot' O.7 mm.

Several assessors cited clauses relating

to calibration

certificates, even though this scenario refers to a test report.

Expected Response

Nearly 25o/o of the assessors cited clause 5.4.6.2 though the scenario did not give any indication one way or the

This scenario focuses around the test report issued by this laboratory. Significant figures for the final reported number

other whether measurement uncertainty had been

considered in the compliance statement.
9o/o

(mean value 0-703 mm) are not appropriate for the measuring device used, and so the final reported result is not accurate. Therefcire a statement of compliance cannot be made. This is a non-conformifg against clause 5.10.1 for report inaccuracy and against 5.10.3.lb for the statement of compliance in the report.

of the assessors cited clauses relating to opinions and

interpretations, 5.10-5, although no opinion or interpretation was provided in the report, merely a
statement of compliance.

Summary of NABL Assessor's Response

% Citing an NC
63Y"
37o/o

The assessor would also need to confirm whether measurement uncertainty had been considered when
making the statement of compliance (5.10.3.1.c).

% Citing an observation
% Marking the most relevant clause. 5.1 0.1 5.10-3.1.b. 5.'l 0.3.1 c

37"/"

Summary of the Responses Received for Scenario # 5 of Exercise 2 by IIAC.

% Citing an NC % Citing an observation % Marking the most
relevant clause, 5.1 0.1
4O"/"

Other clauses cited

4.4c; 4.12:

62% 38%

5.2; 5.2.1: 5.4: 5.4.1 5.4.1 c; 5.4.2; 5.4.5.3; 5.4.6.2

5.4.7.1; 5.5.2; 5.10; 5.10.2i; 5.10.3 5.10.4.'l b; 5-10.4.2; 5.10.5

80"/"
7O"/" 4.1

or 5.10.3.1.b

Other clauses cited

.1 ;

4.4; 4.4.'l c; 4.1 0.1 ; 4.'l 2; 4.12.2; 5.2; 5.2.1 ; 5.2.2; 5.3; 5.4; 5.4.'l c;

60y"
50v" 407"

5.1 .2;

5.4.2; 5.4.6.2; 5.4.7.1; 5.5.1; 5.5.2;

5.5.3; 5.6.2.2; 5.8; 5.9; 5.1O.2;5.10.2i;
5.'f

30%
2Oo/"

0.3; 5.'10.3.1d; 5.10.4.1b; 5.1O.4.2;

5.10.5

10%
O"/"

Specific Comments

21'assessors did not give a response to this scenario.

Conclusions
There was a wide variety in the clauses of the ISO/IEC 17O25 standard that were cited, sometimes with little logic in the selection made by the assessors- A review of "other
clauses cited" for each scenario will bear this out.

For ISO/IECL7O25z 2OO5 Accredited Laboratories

Many customers of ISO,/IEC 17O25: 2005 accredited
laboratories are not aware of the dlf.ference between ISO

In many cases, a very broad section of lSO,/lEC 17025

was cited, rather than a specifically relevant clause of the

standard. For example, section 5.8 was cited to indicate a problem with item handling, rather than the specific clause

9001, 2000 certification and ISO,zIEC 17O25: 2005 accreditation. At times the laboratories themselves have
difficulty in determining whether they need certification,
accreditation or both.
To address this problem,

5.8.1. Section 4.2.1 was cited many times when a

documented procedure or policy was required or wasn't being followed, instead of the specific clause in the standard that was most relevant to the scenario. lt is most helpful to

our accredited laboratories to know exactly which

requirement is being cited, so they know how to approach root cause analysis and corrective actions-

on 1B'h June 2005, EO ILAC IAF (lnternational Organisation for Standardisation, International Laboratory Accreditation Corporation,

International Accreditation Forum) issued a Joint

Communiqu6 on the 'Management Systems Requirements

It also ",r/tas apparent that many assessors were citing nonconformity for the scenarios based on their assumptions or expectations of the cause, reason or outcome of the observed non-conformity, instead of citing the nonconformity for the situation at hand. Scenario # 4 is a good example of this. Nearly 5oo/o oI the assessors cited clause 5.8.2 because they assumed there had to be a problem with misidentification of test items, even though the scenario never mentions that.

of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, General Requirements for the

competence of testing and calibration laboratories' given
as under:

"A laboratory's fulfillment of the requirements of ISO/IEC 17O25:2OO5 means the laboratory meets both the technical competence requirements and

Voluntary Withdrawal of Accreditation

The following two laboratories has voluntary withdrawn

management system requirements that are necessary for it to consistently deliver technically
valid test results and calibrations- The management system requirements in ISO/IEC 17025 (section 4)

the Accreditation:
1

Indian Chains Private Limited, Kolkata

Cosme Pharma Pvt Ltd, Goa

are written in language relevant to laboratory operations and meet the principles of ISO 9OOf :2OOO Quality Management Systems Requirements and are aligned with its pertinent
requirements".

Ca'libro'tion of Weights and lJncertainty Colculations

Tripurari Lal, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi

Ca'lihro,tion of aWeight
Calibration of a weight consists in assigning a mass value to the weight by comparing it againSt a reference standard of known mass whose nominal mass is equal to that of the weight under calibration

ABBAWeighing Cycle
Weight or
Pan Balance First Second

Mean

lndication

Diff.
(B_A)

Diff.

Diff.

(RA)

(B-A):
^m

This pomparison of the weights is done on a suitable weighing instrument. The indication of the weighing
instrument is used only to determine the difference between the reference standard and the test weight

A
B B

Il
l"+ L, lr+
2L,

[(lr-lr)+A B

[(r3

- 14)-A] (12 - Ir) + ns- I+)V2

The comparison of two weights is always carried out according to the substitution method using ABBA or ABA weighing cycle to eliminate linear drift.

In+34

A+

[(1, -

I,) + (Ir-In)l/2

ABAWeighing Cycle
Weight on Balance Pan Indication

Frst

SubstitutionWeighing
The Reference Weight of known mass M* and the Test
Weight of unknown mass Mw are put one after another on the same weighing pan and their weighing difference Am is determined as :

Second

Mean

Dff.
(B-A)

Diff.
(B.A)

Dff.
(B-A)= Am

A
B

I1

lr+

L,

[(1, -

Ir)+
B

Al [(r2-13)-Al

[(lz

- (1, + lrl /21

Am : (M* - MR) Weighing Cycles

For a single comparison, three internationally accepted weighing cycles are used to eliminate linear drift of the Weighing Instrument. These are,

lr+

2A,

[(1, - (1,

l)

/21

Remork: 7.

The time interval between weighing should be kept constant.

2.
AB

The above sequence may be repeated n

times(n >1).
hing Cycl e
r

1. 2. 3.
A B

ABBA ABA

Weighing Cycle Weighing Cycle Weighing Cycle

r.. B "A

Weig

Weight on pan Balance indicatior

Bl B. B3
Io,
_

B4
Ib4

Bs n Io,
aZ

86 B7 B8
Ib(

A87B2... BnA

I,
ltbr
ltbz
_

lot

Ius

Iot IA

' ,

Represents Weighing the Reference Weight Represents Weighing the Test Weight

Bt-A
Bt- A

Br-A
M* &

ABBA

& ABA are used for. calibration of E and F Class of Weights and AB1B2, ... BnA for M Class of Weights

ltbs

I.r+ I u, lut r luz Iu, + Iu,

/2 /2 /2

: :

A-r

A-j

A-z

Weighing Equa};ion

for Detertninortion of

Mass

p*

: Mass

& Density of the

Reference weight

M, &

p,
P.

: Mass

& Density of the

Test Weight

InputQuantities
M.
VR

Density of air during the comparison

Mass of the Reference Weight

Difference in effective mass of the two weights

Volume of the Reference Weight Volume of the Test Weight Density of Air, during intercomparison

Mr (1- p^/h

) -

MR(

1- p^/pR) :
or

Am

VT
pu

: Am V^:M*/p* Vr :Mr/p, ; MR * (vT - VR ). p, + a,tn Mr

(Mr - Vrpu) - (Mn-Vnpu)
This is theWeighing fuuationfor Mass Detennination
IJ n

Am

Weighing dif.f.erence

Output Quantities

cei

ointy

aI cul atio n s

M* : U* :

Mass of the Test Weight

Uncertainty of the Mass M,

The Weighing Equation for Determination of Mass of Test Weiqht in air is :

The calculations of the best estimate of the mass of the

test weight and standard uncertainty associated with all input quantities and the combined and the expanded uncertainty

Mr:M*+ (Vr,V*).p..+Am

of the output quantity are being given in the following

exampIes.

EXAMPIE

Suppose a 1 kg brass weight W of accuracy class F1 is calibrated against a stainless steel reference weight R of accuracy class E2 on a 1kg single pan Mettler H-315 balance with readability 0.1mg. The calculations for mass, and uncertainty associated with it are as follows, -

Input quantities
Test Weight

o'nd

their uncertainties

Density Volume

8 .4 g /cm3 ( for brass weight) dw : 1 19.047 cm3 (calculated from density dw Vw : 0.001 cm3 (assumed value with k: 2) Uvw Exp.Uncertainty of volume Standard uncertainty of Volume uu* : lJvw/ k: 0.000 5 cm3

Reference Weight
Mass

Expanded uncertainty of Mass Standard uncertainty of Mass Drift in mass of Ihe ref.erence Standard uncertainty due to drift Density Volume Expanded uncertainty of volume Standard uncertainty of Volume

Mr Ur
ur

Dr
uDr

dr

w
Uvr .uw
Mrc

Conventional Mass Expanded uncertainty of Mrc Standard uncertainty of Mrc

Urc
ur.

0.000 006 g 7'9 g /cms : 126.580 cm3 : 0.000 5 cm3, k:2 -- lJvr/ k: 0.000 25 cm3 : 999.997 63 s 0.000 03 g : Urck: 0.000 015 g
Dr

: 0.000 09 g,k:2 : Ur/k: 0.000 045 g : 0.000 01 s

/ {3 :

:999.999 53

(from calibration certif icate) (from calibration certif icate) (from previous data)
( negligible)

(from calibration certif icate) (calculated from density dr ) ( from calibration certificate) (from calibration certificate) (from calibration certif icate)

Sensitit:ityWeight

TYPE B

Mass
Standarduncertainty

r.

Expanded uncertainty Um.

: 0.001 mg , k:2 uD.: tJm,/ k: 0.0005mg

5.008 mg

(i)

Standard uncertainty due to the reference standard is given by :u,

u,

: :

Air Density
Measuring temperature, pressure and relative humidity of air, the air density is calculated using BIPM Formula or air density table. Thus air density and uncertainty in its measurement may also be treated as input quantities.

0.000 045 g
0.00000fu

0.045 mg (from the input data)

0.006mg (from the input data-negligible)

u(m,)

: 0.045 mg

(ii) ub2

Standard uncertainty due to buoyancy correction using

equation (9) (Vw - Vr)2.

u2

: 24.4oC ; Pressure : 7 4I.25 mm Hg; : 560/o : 0.001 116 g/cms Air Density pu Standard Uncertainty Upu : 0.000 05 g/cm3
Temperature Rel. Humidity

pa

( u u*2

- u,,2) .pu2.
.( 0.00005g,/cm3)2
(O.O

: :

(IL9.O47 cm3 - 126.0580 cm3)2

(

+[ ( 0.00o5crn3)2 {0.00025crns) ? x

OttL@/cnt\2

0.000 351 g)2

Measurement Dsta
Mr - Mw: -2.10 Mr - Mw : -1.95 Mr - Mw: -2.10

mg Deviations: - 0.05 mg mg -t 0.10 mg mg - 0.05 mg S.D:

(Mw- Mr)

ub : 0.000 351 g : 0.351 mg (iii) Standard uncertainty due to balance

For this balance, contribution in the uncertainty due to balance will be the uncertainty due to its sensitivity and

Iklecln : -2.O5 mg
Am

O.O9mg

n:3
(a)

due to display resolution. Other components i.e. uncertainty due to eccentric loading and due to
magnetism, will be negligible.

2.05 mg

OUTP UT QU ANTITIES AN D THEIR UNCER?AINTIES

The uncertainty due to sensitivity will be :-

Moss of

the Test Weight

u,: (Am) (u_./m,)

Mass Mw of the test weight W is given by the weighing equation (1) as follows.-

:
(b)
u

2.O5mg x ( 0.000 5 / 5.OO8) 0.000 2 mg (from the input data- negligible)

Mw : :

Mr + pu (Vw- Vr) + Am

Uncertaintgr due to the display resolution

999.999 53 g + 0.001 776 g/ cm3 (779.047 - L26.58O )cm3 + 0.002 05 g 0.008.407

(d

'16,i

0.1

/'16:

o.o+r mg

Total uncertainty due to balance

: 999.999 539 : 999.993 77 g

TYPE A

g + 0.002 05g

uu": {(

u.2 + u62)

./ (O.ooO 2)2 + (o.o4712)

0.041 mg

Uncertainty of the moss of theTest Weight

Standard uncertainty due to weighing process ; -

Totol Type

B uncertainty uB :./ (u.2 * uu2 + \u2)

: {((0.045 ms)2 + (0.351ms)2+

0.356 mg

(0.0a1mg)?

'uA

/ ',1 n:

0.09

/ 'l 3 :0.052

mg

10

'\L

Co mb ine d st an do'r d u ncert ai u.

nty

Final Results

:
:

: J( uoz + uu2 ) :

r/ t (O.OSZmg)2+(0-355 mg)2 I

0.36

mg

Mass of the Test Weight is given by

Expanded UncertaintY

Mw = ( ggg-993 77 t O'OOO 72 ) s, k

:2

kxu.:

2xo'36mg

o'72mg

llncertqintY Budget Probability distribution

O.O52 mg

Reference ueight,
Mass

Normal
Rectangular

Drift in mass
Buoyancy Correction Bo,lo'nce: Sensitivity Display resolution

Normal
Rectangular

Totrrl Type B
Co mb in ed st an

dard

un

cert

ainty
u"a

(m)

v"fI : h-

7)

2 x (0.36)a / (O.O52\4
:

2x2297

: 4s94

u-a (Lm)

Forv"r, : *
Expanded Uncertainty

k:2 U

2xO.36 mg

O.72 mg

EXAMPIE 2 A test ueight of

sto'ndo,rd on an special steel with nominsl Mass of 7OO g is compared o,gainst a reference electronic bctlance of capacitg 2OO g uith readabilitg of o.o7 mg-

The input data are as follows:

Mass of the Reference weight

Drift in mass of lhe reletence Density of the reference weight Density of the test weight

Mr: ( 99.999 86 t 0.000 02 ) s,k:2 (from Previous data) Dr : 0.000 01 g dr. : ( 3040 t 16) kg/mz ; k:2 dw = (7900140)kg/m3 ;k:2

t1

Obseruations Dqtcr.:

- Mr - Mr - Mr Mw- Mr Mw- Mr
Mw Mw Mw

0.09 mg 0.08 mg 0.08 mg 0.09 mg 0.11 mg

o/o

V,: 0.100 ks/BO4Okg/^3: 0.000 O72Mm3:72.M V*: 0.100 ksngoo kgl-3: 0.000 O72 66 m3 :12.66

cm3
cm3

M.:M, 1(V*-V,).pu+Am
:9.999 86 g + (72.66 -L2.441cm3x 0.001 160glcm3

0.000 09 g

Temp. 22.5"C; Rel.HumidiIy : 42 Pressure : 7 42.3 mmHg : 989.3 mbar

99.999 86

g + 0.000 255 g

+ 0.000 09 g

Fortnula toCo,lcula,te Air dursity p" : [0.34848P - O.OO9024 h e (0.0612 tt l/(273.15

P is pressure in mbar ; h is relative humidity in T is temperature in oC
associated with it.
0/o
;

t)

To calculate mass of the test weight and uncertainty

Calculc,tion of Moss

rd

:001
Deuio,tions Sguares 0.00 mg 0.0000 - 0.01 mg 0.0001 - 0.01 mg 0.0001 0.00 mg 0.0000 +0.02 mg 0.0004
0.0000 ms
0.0006

mg

- M, : M* - M,: M* - M,: M* - M,: M* - M, :

M*

0.09

mg 0.08 mg 0.08 mg 0.09 mg 0.11 mg

mg

Mean: 0.09

Standard Deviation, o

: { 0.OOO6/4mg : 0.012 mg Am : (M* - M,) : 0.09 mg : 0.000 09 g Mw:Mr + (Vw-Vr) .pu+Am

34848 P - O.OO9O24 h e
Q'0612

p" :

[0.

tt ]/( 27 3.I5+t)

: :

[0.34848x 989.3 -O.OO9O24x 42 e Q.o612x22'5tt l/

(273.I5 + 22.5
0.001 160 g /

cm3

: L2.44 x 0.001 : O.Ot2 S crn3 dr : (79OO t 40 )kg/ms , udr: @O /k)kg / m3 : 20 kg / nts (k :21 (uo*/ d,: uvr / Vr ) or (20 /T7OO : ,vt 12.66) /
uv,

Toto,l Type B lJncertainty

uts ri ( ur2 * ut.2 + u,,2 : ^/[(0.012 mg)2 + (0.037 ms )z + (0.004)2] : V O.OOfSZg

)

buoyanay correction

or(0.0025:uvr/12.66) uv. :72.66 x 0.002 5: O.OS7 6 cm7 Standcrd uncertainfy ossocic ted with the air

us:
u.:
\tqf
{(uo2 + uu2)

O'O39
IJ

Combined Stan dard

^g
ncertainty

: .,/110 005 ms)z +(0.039 mdzl: O.OS9 mg

=4x(0.039)a/(O.OOS)+

,b2

: :

(V*'- Vr)2. ,2po *

(72.66

r u*, -

:(n- 7) :
14806

u.a (mr)
u,,4 (Ltn)

uu,2) eoz

Q.067 mg / cm3)2 + ( 0.0316 cm3)2 - (0.012s cm3)2I x

12.++12.

(1.160 mg

/ un :

cm3)2

Expanded Uncertainty

:-

0.001351

O'O37

U:

kXU.

: 2x 0.039 m9 :
)g

O.Og mg

Standard Uncertainty due to Display Resolutioi uo : (d / 2 | 3) x^,1 2: 0.01 ms / 2.4s _ o.oo4 mg

^g

Final Resulfs

M, : ( 100. 000 21 1 0.000 0s

Uncertaintg Budget
Probability distribution
Weighing process coeff icient uncertainty mg
O.OO5 mg Normal Rectangular

Sensitiuity Stqndard

Reference weight:
Mass

Drift in mass
Buoyancy Correction Display resolution

Total Type B
Combined stan dard uncertainty
Y

"ff

= (n-I) x
For
y

u.a (mr)
u,u4

(Lm)

4x(0.039)4

/ (o.oo5)+ _ 4x3702 : 74806

"ff

: k :2
2 x 0.039

Expanded Uncertainty

mg

O.O8 mg

13

The Colibr"qtion of Balqnces

Tripurari Lal, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi

7. Introduction
This paper describes general procedure for the calibration and the uncertainty of calibration of a weighing instruments used in a calibration laboratory for calibration of weights. An attempt has been made to arrive at an uncertainty which can be associated with the results of practical weighing. This is the uncertainty of weighing.

provided to set the weighing range, then this should also be provided, even if it is outside the limited weighing range as defined above.

The '"yeighing instruments considered here are nonautomatic, single interval instruments which include
balances and electronic apd mechanical industrial weighing

equipment.

Their buoyancy in the air in which they are used affects the apparent mass of weights used and this changes with the air density. The calibration value of the weights needs to be certified for air density 1.2 kg m 3. If the buoyancy effect caused by a different air density at the time of use leads to an error in the applied load that is greater than one half of the resolution of the weighing machine being calibrated, a correction should be madeWeighing machines as described in Table

The test procedures used in the calibration are based on those given in OIML Recommendation R76-7 and that for the evaluation of uncertainty is based from the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty to Measurement (GUM).

calibrated using calibrated weights as per OIML

can usually be

2 Standord weights required

The series of weights required should cover the range of the weighing machine. Where a particular weighing
machine is used only over a very limited range it is possible to reduce the number of weights required. If the design of weighing machine requires a specific value of weight to be

specifications. The table assumes that the uncertainty of calibration of the weights used will be l/3 of its specified maximum permissible error. In most cases it will be possible to obtain smaller calibration uncertainties than this, and it may therefore be possible to use a weight of a lower class. However, when selecting suitable weights, attention should still be given to properties of the weights other than accuracy, such as magnetism, corrosion and wear resistance. In most laboratory applications, it would not be apprcpriate to select a class lower than M1.

Table -7 A possible selection table of weights for calibrotion of weighing mo'chines

Capacity
7OO

Resolution g

7os
M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3
M1 F2

7g
M3

7OO mg M3 M3 M2
M1
F2 F1

7O mg M2
M1 F2
F1

7mg
F2
F1

O.7 mg
E2
E1

<O.7 mg
E1 E1

Upto50g
Up to 100 g Up to 500 g
M3

Uptolkg
Upto5kg
Up to 10 kg Up to 50 kg Up to 100 kg Up.to 500 kg

M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M3 M2

M3 M3 M3 M2 M1
F2 F1

E2
E1

E2
E1

E2

E2

t4

g[r

3.

Calibration Procedure
The documented procedure for calibration of a weighing machine should include sufficient measurements to define the performance of that
machine-

of readings. It is not necessary for the weight used for a repeatability test to be traceably calibrated-

it may happen that same value of the differences may be obtained for all repeated
Some times measurements. In that case standard deviation will be zero.lt can be shown that if one of the n readings depart from zero by dx then the standard deviation is given by

If the machine to be calibrated is a electronic, it has 'internal calibration' facility that allows the output of the machine to be adjusted between zero and an internally or externally applied weight, in that case it is necessary to operate this facility prior to the calibration, and also it should be operated regularly before the weighing machine is used.
For the balances having electronic display, sometimes

s: dx,4n If dx : 1 then for n:10, s : 1/,ll}

of the balance.)

= l/3(readability

the reading is such that the last digit will flick

continually between successive numbers When this happens the reading used should be the mean of the two digits. The procedure should include tests for the following parameters, except where the construction or use of the machine renders a particular test inappropriate: (o) Repeo,to'bility (b)

Therefore to be realistic, the minimum standard deviation of a balance should be one-third of its
readability.

Sensitioity or Sco.le Vo,lues

It is the value of a scale division (not applicable for machines with digital displays) of the weighing machine Measuring the sensitivity of the balance allows a measured difference in terms of scale divisions to be converted into a mass difference and is therefore vital to the use of the balance. The sensitivity of mechanical weighing machines generally changes with load, and it is therefore
necessary to measure the sensitivity at a load similar to that for which the machine is used. For a machine

The instrument should be set to zero before each

measurement. The load should be placed on-center. A one-piece test load should preferably be used. For single range instruments, the test load P, should be equal to Max/2. For multiple-range instruments, P: Max, + (Max .*,

Maxrl/2.

All weighings involve a minimum of h,vo readings, a zero reading and a reading with a weight to be measured- If this difference is measured a number of times it is a good measure of the repeatability of the reading. Usually a minimum of ten repeated
measurements are taken when calibrating weights up

used across its range, it would be appropriate to measure the sensitivity with no load, loaded at half its capacity and loaded at or near its full capacity. For electronic balance with digital display the idea of sensitivitgr needs to be modified slightly. The electronic

display covers the whole weighing range of the

balance and by adjustment, and the use of a standard weight, the display can be made equal to its nominal value at any point. At other points linearity and other

to 50 kg, and a minimum of five repeated

measurements when calibrating weights exceeding 50 kg. fte balance should not be zeroedduring this series

errors may cause the balance indication to depart from nominal value. So rather than refer to sensitivifu

15

it is preferable to

say departure of

indication from

2. 3.

nominal value or linearity.

Remove the weights in reverse order, noting the balance reading after each removal
Compare the readings for the same load being applied

(c)

Departure of indication from notnino,l uqlue

In this test the reading on the balance is checked at

to the balance sufficient equally- spaced steps over the range to

ensure that there is no possibility of the reading being

Significant deviation between the increasing and decreasing readings indicates a poorly adjusted or dirty balance The laboratory should set the error allowed for a particular machine, for a particular test, after considering the use to which the rnachine is put. Manufacturer's specifications for weighing machines will often be inappropriate for the application.

in error between points. Usually this covers at least 10 points, evenly spread over the range. For 'machines that have internal weights (e.g. dial-up weights) each weight setting should be tested. For machines having more than one range, this test
should be carried out for each range used.

(d) Effect of Off-Centre Loading (Eccentricity)

This effect is assessed placing a weight of nominal value between 7/4 and 1,/3 of the maximum capacity, typically placed between 7/2 to 3/4 oI the distance from the center of the load receptor to the edge, in a sequence of center, front, left, back, right, center, or
equivalent.

In order to comply with the requirements of ISO,/IEC 77O25, the laboratory needs to ensure that a suitable
uncertainty of measurement is calculated for the weighing machine calibration.

lJncertainty Euo,luo,tion in Co.librotion of

Bo,loince
The main sources of uncertainties in calibration of
balances are as follows

It is not necessary for the weight used for the eccentric-load indication test to be traceably
calibrated.

7- Repeatability ( Tvpe A)
Repeatability of a balance is usually determined by making 10 measurements at particular points across
the range of the balance and then calculating standard

(f) Hysteresis
Hysteresis is occurring when a balance, for the application of the same weight, displays a different
reading when the load is ascending compared to when

deviation (s) of these 10 repeated measurement results. This is Type A uncertaint5l and is given by :

it is being reduced. A simple check is as follows'

Incrementally increase the load by adding weights one

uo

s,/

{n, n:10

2.

Uncertainty in the Reference moss (TVpe B)

The standard uncertainty of the mass of reference
weight used in calibration is also contribute a Type B

at a time, noting the balance reading after

addition

each

component in uncertainty of the balance. It is given in the calibration certificate of the reference weight. Thus standard uncertainty due Io reference weight is

Or

u*:U*/k
3.
Resolution of the bo'lo'nce (Type B)
Resolution limitations in reading

Relating Coefficient x ( Max. - Min temperature x (range max) / 2 rl3

u,",, :

6.

Uncertainty due to off center loo'ding

Off centering loading of the balance may be assessed but not to be included as a component of uncertainty
as it is assumed that the operator may take all possible

'

the

scale or with a.

digital indication may contribute some uncertainty

which may be treated as rectangular distribution with

infinite degree of freedom. It is given by

precautions to minimize this affect.

uo:

(d

/2.'B)x^12

7. Uncertainty due to hysteresis

This component may also be assessed but not to be

where the 2 in the numerator accounts for the

resolution being a difference between the load reading

and zeroi.

included as a component of uncertainty as included in other contributions

it

is

4. Uncertainty due to drift in the m<rss vo,lues

between calibrqtion (Type B)
If the reference standard used frequently in calibration there is a risk that its certified values may change by

8.

Combineduncertainty
Total Type B uncertainty ue

!(un2 +uo2 +uonr,2 + u*rr2)

uu2
I

Combined uncertainty u.

: {[ uo2 +
u^

an amount approaching the uncertainty. If this drift is Dr then assuming rectangular distribution, uncertainty due to this drift is
uD,ift

9. kpanded uncertainty U: k.
E}{AMPIE

Dr

Cc'librcltion of a Bqlo;nce o 2OO g Electronic bollance

2',13

5. Drift in Sensitiuity

Data due to temperature (Tqpe B)

Max

fron

the bo,lo'nce specifications:

Temperature effects on the scale sensitivity of the balance. We need either the actual change in scale sensitivity between the beginning and end of a calibration or we assume the coefficient relating scale
sensitivity drift to temperature. The two possibilities

Capacity : 2lO g

Readability

0.1 mg

Drift in balance indication

2 ppm/"C

7. Repeatability ( Type A)
Choosing

are
u."..

p:

100 g as test load and taking ten repeated

Sensitivity drift durlng cal.x mnge

maxva\re/N3

measurements as given in following table:

t7

Measurements
1

Indications (I)
(g)

Deviation (di)
(mg)
d12

100 000 0

2
J

100.000

100.000 0 99 999 9 100.000 0 100.000

1

+ O.02 + 0. 12 + 0.02
0. 08

0.000 4

0.0r4

0.000 4 0.006 4 0.000 4 0.014 4 0.000 4 0.006 4 o.o32 4 0.000 4

4
5
6
.7

100 000 0

+ 0.02 + 0.72 + 0.02

0. 08

8 9 10

99 999 9 99.999
B

018
+ 0.02 Sum
092 mg

100.000 0

Mean
Standard Deviation

99.999 9a

0.000 00

Sum

0.076 0

s: vlo.ozo 0 / 9):0.
:

5. Drift in Sensitivity

due to temp.gqfure (Type B)

Type A uncertainty is given by

un: s,/!n
2.

:0.092/.,1 70:0.029mg,

Given drift in balance indication with temperature as 2 ppm/"C. For 1009 mass the coefficient relating scale sensitivity drift to temperature

Uncertainty in the Reference mass (Type B)

The relerence weight of 100 g is used to calibrate the test weight . The uncertainty of the reference weight is Us : 0.000 020 g with k : 2

:2x1.06 x100 s/oC.

Assuming temperature variation during calibration is 0.50C then

u.",,: 0-5x 2 x 10-6 x700 42

un

Us/k = 0.000 020

/ 2:

0.000 010 g

0.010 mg
ua =

0.10046/

{3

mg

0.0

3. Resolution of the balance (Type B) d:0.1m9

uo :

Total Type B standard uncertainty

{ (un2 * uo2 * uDr,f,2 + ur"n.2 )

[(0.010)2 + (0.041)2 + (0.004)2 + (0.058)2 0.072 ms
]

: Q.l /2 r/S ) x ./2. = O.0707/ ri3 mg: 0.041 mg

(d

/2

^B ) x'12

=
6

Combined uncertainty

4- 'Uncertainty

due to drift in the mass values

7.

between calibration (Type B)

u. :{[ t,A2 * ,82 ] :{l(0.029)2 + U. : 0'078 mg

Expanded uncertainty

(0.072)21

If Dr = 0.000 015 g from the previous data then uo,ift: 0.000 075/2\13 : 0.0075/ {3mg : 0.004 mg

U:2x0.078g=0.16mg

-"l

Uncertainty Budget
Typ.
A
B

Source
Repeatability
Mass of the reference

VaIue mg 0,o29
0.020

Probability distribution
Normal Normal

Dioisor
1

Sensitiuitg Sto'ndord coeff icienl uncertainty tng

Degree of freedom
9
@

I
1

o.o29 0.010 0.004

0.041 0.058

weight
B B B

Drift in mass
Display resolution Sensitivity variation

0.0075
0.071

Rectangular Rectangular Rectangular

./ s

I I I

'^/
^/

s s

0.1005
up,,112

Totc.l Type

B :

^/

(u^' * ,o2 *

,,n,,.2

o.o72

Combined standard uncertaintv

!

o.o78
9 x(0.O72)s

"ff

: (n-7) x

u.4 (mt)

u-a (Lm)

(O.OZg)a

: 9x38 : 342

For tt"ff :

: k :2
U:2x0.078mg:0.16mg

Expanded Uncertainty

,
I 1
o

Cslibrstion of Volumetric Messures

Tripurari Lal, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi

Er ' .

Cleaning with freshly prepared chromic acid then it is aried thoroughly

after weighing (T2) is measured. Mean of these two temperature is the temperature of the water (Tw).
The mass of water (Mw) contained in the measure up to the mark is calculated using following relation: Mw

Set-up the balance in weighing condition and select suitable standard weights, necessary for this calibration work.

I- p^/ p,) ( W1 -W2)

( 7-

p"/

p*)

r .r, . Thevolumeofwater,VmatthetemperatureTwisgivenby; { ,,rI., -----....--.-t^ and a standard weight ot Wciigh the empty measure mass Wl (approximately equal to the mass of distilled Vm : Mw / p* -- ( 1- p^/p,). ( W1 - W2)/(p* - p^) ti" \ water of nominal volume of the measure) The voiume Vm at th treference temperature 27"Cis given@;
Weigh the measure fully filled-up with distilled water some required standard weights of mass W2
ure of distilled water before weighing (T1)

Vzt : Vm / 11*

0(

I* - 27 )l

and

Where p is the coefficient of cubic expansion of the material of the measure.

t9

UNCERTAINTY CALCULATIONS
MEASUREMENTS

IN

VOLUME

Name and Address Room Temperature

of

the Customer : M,/s ABC

22.5oC Pressure

Date of calibration , DD/MM/YY

The contribution factors in the uncertainty of the estimated value of the volume of the measure is mainlv due to two
sources of errors
,

R.H :
Temperature of water Initial

986 mbar

48.6

o/o

Air Density (p. ) : 0.0011 65 9 / cms

(f1) , 22.3"C Final Mean (T) : 22.35oC -

1. 2.

Uncertaing due to weighing process (Type A).

Uncertainty due to the standard weight used in the calibration process.(Type B).

(.I2)

22.4oC
g

Density of water at temp. T (pw ) Balance used

-- 0.gg7 6932

/,

Unce.rtqinty due to Weighing Process ( Type A ) The uncertainty in the weighing process is due to the
variability of the balance which is generally obtained from the past history of the balance using the same method of weighing as used in this calibration procedure. Suppose pre-established standard deviation of the balance using this method of weighing is s then type A standard uncertainty is given by :

Readability

, A single Pan Electronic Balance- Mettler

0.01 mg.

Pre-established standard deviation of this balance, o : 0.02 mg, n: 10

its mass values

Standard Mass used ' 50 g and 25 mg weights with

un: o/!n
where n is the number of observations taken to estimate o.

Msr : (50.000 01 + 0.000 05) S ; k: 2 (from its calibration certificate)

Ms2

: e\.OI t

0.01) m g : k

: 2

(from its calibration

certificate
Mass of the empty vessel + standard weight

Uncettainty due to Stqndard Mo,ss (Type B)

Suppose the expanded uncertainty of the standard (S) used

(w1): 150 00152

in the above calibration is Us with

coverage factor

k:2,

obtained from the calibration certificate of the standards, then standard uncertainty due to the standard weight will be ,

Mass of the empty vessel + distilled water+ standard weight (w2) 150 002 86 g

u":Us/k,
Uncertainty due to other contribution factors such as densities of the air . of the water and that of the material of the standard weigh are very small and may be assumed to be negligible.
Total type B standard uncertainty will be U-

W1

50.000 019,

W2:

O.O25

019 (W1-W2): 49.975 s

Weighed mass of distilled water

(W1-W2) + (R2 - R1 )
49.976 34 g

: Density of the standard used (p. ) :

49.975 g + 0.001 34 s

8.000

cms

:
*

u..

The volume of water at the temperature

uncertain$ u. = ! Expanded uncertainty U :k.u. ;k: 2

Combined standard

T
)

: 22.35"C p :

0.000 027 /"C

( p* - p")
1 1 65)

1uo2"

ur2

Vm

: ( I- p"/ p,) . (mass of distilled water) /

11

EXAMPLE

= ( 1-0. 00

6518. 000) x49 x 97 6M / (0 .997 69 32- 0. 00

97

mI Volumetric Flaslc Ref. xx xxx Case No. yyyyy Dated , DD/MMNY

Cc'libration
5O

of a

0.99985437 5 x 49 x

6 Y/O.9965282

: 50. 7 43 7 5 qns

vzt:

- 27 )l : 50.143 LScm3/ vm /|7+F(t [1+ 0.000027 (22.35 -27 \l

20

Vzz:
UNC

5O.743 27

cm3

0.9999163

SO.7J7 cms

ERTAI NTY CALCULATIONS

Total Type B sto,ndo'rd uncetto,inty uB : {t(o.oso)2+ (o.oo+)'l : o.o3omg

Standard Uncertainty Tgpe A ( due to weighing

Process) uR

Combined Standard lJncertainty

/ n:
.'l

O.02 mg/.110

0.006 mg

: {t (o.ooo)2 .u.:{(uo2*us2) io.osoP, : d.oso o *n

F-xprrnded

U :k. v : 2x 0.0306*s: 0.0612mg : O.O6L2/ 0.997 6932 cm3 U: r O.O67cms Stqndard Uncertainty Type B ( due to display resolutiori) Final Resuffs Volume of the Volumetric Flask ud - @/2 {3 ) x ./Z (a : 0.01 mg) : (50.137 t 0.061) cm3, k:2 = 0.004 mg Uncertainty Budget
Type

Stqndqrd Uncertainty Type B ( due to stbndard used) Us : (0.05 + 0.01) mg : 0.06 ms ; k :2 then uB :u, : 0.06 mS/ 2 : 0.03mg

uncertainty

Sources
Due to Weighing Process

Estimated Sfandards

Uncertainty
Type A

Degree of freedom

us

uA = s/l n s : 0.02 mg n :10

O.OO6 mg

Type B

ut

Due to Standard Ms1

u"r = Usr/k :0.05

2mg
O.O3O mg

0.025 mg

Due to Standard Ms,

u"2=Usullk :O.07/2

mg

0.005 mg

Type B

ubo

d:
Total Type B

Standard uncertainty due to balance display Resolution uo = (d / 2.,1 3lx,,l 2

O.OO4

mg

0.01 mg

O.O3O mg
ua2

Combined Stondqrd lJncertainty Uc: { ( uA2 *

u"or'l''. : D", (n- r) *

u_a (Lm Expanded Uncertainty

) = O.OSO 6 ^g

9x(0.0306)n

/(o.ooolo

6089

: *
cm3

: k :2 lJ :2 x 0.0306 mg : 0. 061 mg : 0.06I/0.99T6982

For o"t/ - -

0.061 cm3

2l

Guidelines fo, Calibro.tion of Hydrometers

Tripurari Lal, National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi
A hydrometer is calibrated using the method of comparison in which the hydrometer under calibration is compared with
reference to a standard hydrometer whose scale is precisely

3. A wooden

rectangular board slightly wider than the width of the jar, whose top half is painted black and bottom half white. The line separating the black and

known.

The hydrometers to be calibrated is floated in a liquid of appropriate density which is so adjusted that the level of the liquid surface intersects the scale graduation under examination. A similar standard hydrometer is floated alongside and indication of its scale is observed carefully. Differences between the scale reading of the standard and under test hydrometer gives the correction to be applied in the scale reading of the under test hydrometer to get its actual value of the scale reading.

white portion is horizontal. The screen is movable about its horizontal axis and it is placed behind the jar at an angle of 45o in such a way that line separating black and white portion is just below the
liquid surface. This screen helps in keeping the correct

line of sight.

4. A long total immersion

The following support equipment are required for

Calibration of hydrometere using this procedure

thermometer graduated in 0.1oC with a calibration certificate of scale correction is used to measure the temperature of the ref,erence liquid. A thermometer oI range - 0.5 oC to 40.5 oC is suitable for this purpose.

5.

1. The liquid is contained in a rectangular

jar, with its front and back walls being parallel. The front wall is made of optical glass, which is plain and polished from outside. This prevents the distortion of the image of the scale of the hydrometer. Except for abnormal hydrometer a jar of about 112 mm length, 62 mm width and 360 mm height will be suitable to accommodate two hvdrometers with stirrer and a thermometer..

The hydrometer vessel set-up is installed in a closed chamber equipped with exhaust system to suck out fumes of the liquid used. Because of the toxic nature of the liquids, the atmospheric conditions are kept reasonably vapour free using an exhaust system which draws the vapour downwards, thus taking advantage of their high
density.

6.

2.

A stirrer is used to stir thoroughly the reference liquid in the jar so that air may not be entrapped in the liquid. The design of the stirrer is of the special type having perforated rectangular metal sheet whose dimensions are 2 mm less than the those of the cross section of the jar. A stout rod is screwed in the center of the metal sheet and works as handle.

The hydrometers are calibrated under normal room temperature conditions. Appropriate corrections are applied for hydrometers graduated for density or relative density at reference temperatures. These reference temperatures are generally 20 oC, 15 oC, 15.5 oC or
that desired by the users.
The calibration is done in the following steps:

1.

Clean all apparatus before use by a lint free cloth.

22

2.

Allow the liquid to attain thermal equilibrium with its surrounding and then pour it into the hydrometer vessel fiar). Avoid the formation of air bubbles in the liquid by pouring it down the side of the vessel. Stir the liquid vertically with the stirrer, again avoiding formation of air bubbles. Record the temperature of the liquid nearest Lo O.2o C.
Insert the hydrometer to be calibrated, carefully, into the liquid holding it by the top of its stem. Release the'hydrometer when it is approximately in its state of equilibrium. Adjust it so that the liquid surface level intersects the scale graduation to be calibrated.
8

horizontal liquid surace and the stem. When taking the reading, view the scale through liquid, adjusting the line of sight so that it is in the plane of the liquid
surface.

If the liquid is opaque, record the reading where the meniscus merges into the stem of the hydrometer
Immediately after taking the reading as in step 6 or 7 measure the temperature of the liquid to the nearest O.2o C. The mean of this temperature and the initial

temperature referred in step 2 should be used to calculate the correction due to temperature, if required.

When the hydrometer is in steady state, press the top of the stem downwards a few millimeters beyond the position of equilibrium. Withdraw the hand and observe the meniscus as the hydrometer oscillates to equilibrium. If the stem and the liquid surface are clean, the meniscus shape will remain unchanged as the hydrometer rises and falls. If the meniscus shape changes e.g. if it wrinkles or distorted by the motion of the hydrometer, lack of cleanliness is indicated. In
such case the hydrometer and vessel should be cleaned

The difference between the initial temperature and the final temperature should not exceed 1 oC and if
a larger difference is found, it indicates lack of thermal

equilibrium and in that case repeat the procedure from step 2 9.

Repeat steps 5 to B using the second reference standard hydrometer at the same graduation point.

10.

After recording the readings of the test hydrometer

and the reference hydrometers at all the graduatiohs

and the test is repeated with a fresh cleaned sample.

5

of the scale ( normally four graduation points

Insert a similar reference standard hydrometer alongside such that it may not touch the vessel walls and the hydrometer under test. Repeat the step 4 for
setting this hydrometer also.
6.

are

taken) the following corrections are to be applied' -

A.

Certif icate correct ions: Certificate corrections of the reference hydrometers are taken from their
calibration certificates and are added algebraically to the scale reading of the hydrometer under test, at that particular point.

When the two hydrometers which must not be touching each other and the side of the vessel, have
settled down to their equilibrium positions, record the
scale readings of both

the hydrometers with the help

of a black and white screen behind the jar

If the liquid is transparent the scale reading is taken corresponding to the plane of the intersection of the

Tetnperature Correction If the two hydrometers under comparison do not have the same reference temperatures then their indications will differ by an amount proportional to changes in their volumes caused by thermal expansion of one with reference

23

IE

to the other. In such cases a temperature correction, as given below, is applied to the indication of the reference hydrometer to get the actual measurement
results ,
-

Tr:

surface tension of

the liquid for which the

hydrometer has been calibrated (mN/m).

m: mass of the hydrometer in grams.

The term (n Rd / g.m) is called Surface Tension Factor (STF) of the hydrometer

c :
Where c :

R.a (t.-t)

(1)

correction to be applied to the scale reading of the reference hydrometer in g ,/ cm3. density indication in g

The STF depends upon the actual value of R (density

indication), but STF being very small, the middle value of the range of the scale is taken as R.

R:

cm3

a : t. : t :

coefficient of cubical expansion of glass or the material of the hYdrometer

If the hydrometer under test has Tu as its surface tension while standard hydrometer was calibrated for surface
tension Ts and if the two are compared in a liquid of surface

reference temperature for which the

standard hydrometer has been calibrated.

tension

T then surface tension corrections for these two

will be STFu (T-Tu) and STFs (T-Ts) respectively-

reference temperature for which the hydrometer under calibration is being

calibrated.

D. Meniscus Correction: In case of opaque liquids,

the scale reading is taken where the top of the meniscus appears to meet the stem of hydrometer.
In order to obtain the corresponding indication at level

Forglassa :

25x\O4 /oC,

then
(2)

c : 0.000025R (t"-t)
C. Surface Tension cortection:

If a hydrometer is used in a liquid whose surface tension is different from the one for which the hydrometer has been calibrated, then a correction called surface tension correction has to be applied to the observed scale reading to get the correct indication. This correction is given by :

of the horizontal liquid surface, a correction called meniscus correction (MC) has to be applied- This correction is given bY :-

t"g where i : rale interval

d'Po

C:

1000.i.o

I!

(1 + 2.g.d2.p0,21000o)-11
( S ,/ cm3
1

"

'(4)

o : d :
po

surface tension of the liquid ( mN /m).

c : [rc.R d (T -

T1)

X 10 3l / k.ml
3.

.... (3)

extemal diameter of the stem (mm)

Where

c:
R

is the correction in g/cm

reading at lhe top of the meniscus (g/cm

3)

: : :

density indication in g/cm3. stem diameter of the hydrometer in mm acceleration due to gravity ( m/s1
surface tension of the liquid used (mN ,/m).

s : g :

scale length (mm)

d g T

acceleration due to gravity

(m / s2l

24

For ready reference, the values of MC in kg/m3 have been tabulated below for various series of density hydrometers conforming to BS 778 : 1979.

The scale lengths are given in third row and surface tension in column 2 in units of mN/m.

Table

Meniscus co'rlction (MC) in kg/ms

leries of Hydrometer

for oarious hydrometers.

M100

L20

L50 and
L5OSP

M50 and MsO SP

1

s50

55OSP

lcale interval in kg /m3

icale length in mm

o-2
tt3 t27

0.5 725 745

7B 99

87 702

50 62

50 62

Indication kg,/ms 600 800 1000

Surface

The values f

MC inkg/m3
2.O 2.O 2.O

tenson
15

o.32 0.28 0.36 0.32 o.36 0.32 o.44 0.40 0.48 0.44 o.32 0.28 0.36 0.32

0.8 0.7
0.8 o.7 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.8
1.0 0.9

r.2

1.0

2.O r.6 2.O 7.6

1.0 1.6 2.4 2.O 2.8 2.4
4.O 1.2
2.O 1.6

1.8

r.6

25 35 55 75

1.4 1.0 1.4 1.0

2.4

2.O 1.6

2.4 2.O

2.2 t.6

L.61.2

2.8 2.4

1.8

1.4

3.2

2.8

1500

35 55
75

o.7 0.6 0.8 0.7 0.9 0.8 o.7 0.6

2.0 0.8 1.2 t.o

3.0 1.6
2.4 2.O 2.8 2.4 1.0 1.6

0.40 0.36
o.32 0.28

L.4

7.2

2.4

2.O

2000

55 75

0.0 1.0

2.O 1.6

0.36 0.32

0.8 0.7

r.2 t.o

2.4

2.O

2.41.6

Surface tension in mN/mu

25

Uncertainty Eoaluation in Calibration ol

Hydrometer
For routine calibration of density hydrometers, evaluation of uncertainty of the measurement results is done as follows,

Uncertainty due to Co,libro.tion Process (Type A)

This urncertainty is due to the calibration process and is based on the rectangular statistical distribution of the
measurement results and is given by:
uO

For routine calibration, contributions in the uncertaintgr from the other factors such as corrections due to temperature or surface tension or the meniscus corrections may be assumed to be negligible- But for high precision measurements contributions from these factors are taken into accounl and are estimated as follows,

Stoindo,rd unceftainty due to temperature correction

(Type B)
If temperature correction is applicable and it is say

TC then

u*,/ {3

(1)

assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertaing due

where u* is an estimate of minimum variation equal to either half of the observed variation width or the scale interval d of the graduations of the hydrometer scale,
whichever is greater.

to temperature correction is given by

urc: TC/bB
cortection ( Type B)

.....(3)

Standqrd uncertainty due to surface tension

If surface tension correction is applicable and it is say STC then assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertainty due to surface tension correction is given by

In the calibration process a hydrometer under test

is

calibrated at a given range using two standard hydrometers.

The half of the difference between the two measuremenr results using two standard hydrometers gives-the value of u* from which uo is calculated using equation (1) above.

rbrc:

STC/2.1

(4)

Uncertqinty due to Stondard (Tgpe B)

Uncertainty due to the value of the standard used in the calibration process is of Type B and is obtained from it calibration certificate. Suppose Us with coverage factor k:2 is the expanded uncertainty of the value of the standard hydrometer obtained from its calibration certificate then its standard uncertainty us : Us ,/ k. Thus

Standc,rd uncertainty due to meniscus correction (Type B)

If meniscus correction is applicable and it is, say, MC then assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertainty due to meniscus correction is given by
ururc

MC

/ 2'l 3

.(5)

uB: us:Us/k
Since the reported value of the hydrometer is the mean of the two observed values from the two standard hydrometers, the Type B standard uncertainty due to
standard will be

Total Type B uncertaing

ue

:{

[(u,)2

+ (ur.)2 +

(urr.)' + (u"6)2 I

...(6)

Colmbined uncertainfg u. Expanded

./ [(rn)2 + (uJz

.....(71

uncertainty U : k. u"

.......

(B)

ue

{[( u.r2 +

u,22

)/

4l

(21

26

EXAMPLE

Reference temperature(RT)
Surface Tension

27oC

Calibration of a density hydrometer having same reference temperature(RT) and surface tension (ST) as that of the standard hydrometer and liquid employed is also of surface tension equal to the reference surface tension.

(fu) : 35 mN/m

For Stond ard Hydrometer

For Hgdrotneter Under Test :

o (d) Scale interval

(Ts)

Range

,(0.700 to 0.750) s/cms)

0.000

g/cm3

Range
Scale interval

: (d) :

(0.700 to 0.75Q) g/cm3)

Reference temperature(RT) : 27oC Surface Tension

0.000 5 g/cm3

'

35 mN/m

Table 2
O bser o ations an

d Colc ul o'tions
Rounded

(Unitsin S/cm3)
Stando,rd I.D-No. Obserued ScoIe P.eading

Correction (From certificate) 3

- 0.000 12
- 0.000 06

Corrected Scole point Calculated NIean oalue of the correction Correction Under Test 4
0.700 10

I
S1 S2

2
0.700 22

I
.000 11

+0.000 10 0.700 +0.000 12 0.000

1

o.7od rs
0.720

0.70012 0.72016 0.72014

0.740

SI
S2
S1

t+

+0.000 02
- 0.000 12

+0.000 16 0.720
0.000 14 0.000 15 0.000 2

0.720 26 0.739 96 0.740 02 o.749.92 o.749.98

+0.000 14
+0.000 06 +0.000 06
- 0.000 04

l0
o.740

+0.000 10
+0.000 08 - 0.000 02 0.750 - 0.000 06
- 0.000 04

S2
S1

0.740 08 o.749.98 0.749 94

0.000 09

0.000

S2

- 0.000 0

Ca,lcul ations of U ncerto'inties

Uncertainty due to nreo.surement process ( Tgpe A)

From data taken from the Table 2, uncertainty due to measurement process has been calculated as given in Table 3.

27

Table 3
Calculation oJ uncertainty due to nreasurement Process (Type A )

(Unitsin g/crn3)
Scale points

Scole Correction Using Standards

Obseroed

uo

uaricjion width s2

a* w

(a., /',1 31

SI
0.700
o.720

+0.000 10 +0.000 16 +0.000

10

+0.000 12 +0.000 14
+0.000 08
- 0.000 06

0.000 02 0.000 02 0.000 02 0.000 04

0.000 5 0.000 5 0.000 5 0.000 5

0.000 29 0.000 29 0.000 29 0.000 29

o.740 0.750

- 0.000 02

As observed variation width is less than

cm3

value.

a* is taken as d : 0.000 5 g /

cm3

Expanded uncertaintV U

k. u.

u:o.ooo6g/cm3

2 x O.O0O 3

g/

Type A standard uncertainty at each point is

EXAMPLE 2
Calibration of a density hydrometer having different
reference temperature(RT) but same surface tension (ST) as that of liquid employed Then the certificate correction and temperature corrections using eq(2) will be needed to apply to the indications of the standard hydrometer.

ue:O-OOO29g/"^3
Uncertaintg due to Standsrds ( TVpe B)
The expanded uncertainty of the standards used to calibrate the hydrometer from its calibration certificate is

Us: 0.000 2 g/cm3

Standard uncertainty

with k

:2,for :
Us

each hydrometer.

For Hydrometer Under Test

Range Scale interval (d)

u,l :

u,2

/ k : O.OOO 2 / 2 : 0.000 1 s/cm3

(0.850 to 0.900) s

cm3l

Since the reported value of the hydrometer is the mean of the hvo observed values from the two standard hydrometers, the Type B standard uncertainty due to standard will be

' 0.0005g/cm3 Reference temperature(RT) : 27 oC Surface Tension (fu) , 35 mN/m

For St andard Hydrometer
Range Scale interval (d) Reference temperature

u": { (u.12 + u,r2)/4:./t(o.ooo

1)2 + (0.000

Il2l/4

:
: :

0.000 O7 g / cm3

: '

(0.850 to 0.900) 9/cm31

0.000 1g
35 mN/m

Combined uncerto'intg u.:.i(uo2 + uu2 ) {( o.ooo 29)2 + (o.ooo

0.000 3 g/ cm3
o7)2
)

cm3

(RT): 20 oC

Surface Tension

(Ts)

28

Table 4
O bser u at

ions an d Co.I cul atio n s (Unitsin S/cm37

oalue

Stando'rd Observed

Corrected
Correction

lD.No.
7

ScaIe Reo,ding;

2
0.850 46 0.850 38 0.870 24 0.870 58 0.890 84 0.890 26 0.900 74 o.900 22
CC

3
0.000 04 TC 0.000 15 CC 0.000 08 TC 0.000 15 CC + 0.000 06 TC - 0.000 15 cc - 0.000 10 TC - 0.000 15 CC 0.000 10 TC 0.000 15 CC 0.000 04 TC 0.000 15 CC + 0.000 08 TC - 0.000 15 cc - 0.000 04 TC - 0.000 15

S1

4 o.850 27
0.850 15 0.870 15

Scale point Calculqted Mean of the correction Corr.ection UnderTest 5 6 7

+O.0O7 27

Rounded

a
+ o.ooo 2

0.850

+ 0.00021

s2
s1'

+0.000 15 +0.000 15
0.870
+ o.ooo 24

+ O.OOO 2

s2
S1

0.870 33 0.890 59 0.890 0.890 07 o.900 67 0.900 0.900 03

+0.000 33 +0.000 59 + 0.000 33 +0.000 07 +0.000 67 + 0.000 35 +0.000 03 - o-ooo 4

+ o.ooo 3

S2
S1

s2

Calculqtions of Uncertainty in Measurements

Uncertainty due to measurement process ( Tgpe A)

From data taken from the Table 4 uncertainty due to measurement process has been calculated as given in Table 5.

Table 5 Calculation of uncertainty due to measurement Process (Type A )

(Unitsin g/cms)

Scale points
0.850 0.870 0.890

Scale Correction Using Standards

)bserued oolio.tion width

UA
Q-

1a- /,1 3) 0.000 29 0.000 29 0.000 29

SI
+o.ooo 27 +0.000 15 +0.000 59

s2
+0.000 15 +0.000 33 +0-000 07 0.000 12

0.000 18
0.000 52

0.000 5 . 0.000 5 . 0.000 5 .

0.900 + 0.000 67 + 0.000 03 0.000 64 0.000 5' 0.000 29 : As.half of the observed variation width is less than d value, a* is taken as d : 0.000 5 g / cm3

29

7lF

Standard uncertciinty due to Standards (Type B)

The expanded uncertainty of the standards used to calibrate the hydrometer from its calibration certificate is

Example 3 Calibration of a Speific Grauity Hydrometer

(I-actorneter) using Density Hydrcmeter as Standard.
The Lactometer having different reference temperature(RT) and surface tension (ST). Then find the mass and diameter

Us

0.000 2 g/cm3 with k

:2

for each hydrometer.

7

Sbndard uncertainty

u.r:uo:Us/k:0.000 2/2:O.W

g/.

Since the reported value of the hydrometer is the mean of the two observed values from the two standard hydrometers,

of stem of both the hydrometer and calculate surface tension factor (STF) for each and apply the correction
separately to the indications of the each hydrometer using formula STFu (T-Tu) and STFs (T-Ts). But normally T:Ts then the correction applicable is only to hydrometer under
test.

the standard uncertainty due to standard will be

u,: {[ ( u,r, *

u,22

)/ 4 I :

./t{ (0.000 1)2 +( 0.000 7)2 l/4]

0.000 07 g/cm3

Standard uncertainty due to temperature correction (Type B) From the Table

Also lactometer reading is taken at level liquid surface observing through liquid. But lactometer when used in milk observed at the level where meniscus meets the stem, so
meniscus correction is also to be applied to the lactometer.

4,

the temperature correction is

0'000 75 g/cm3'
Assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertaintv due

For Lactometer

Range
Scale interval

, (1.000 to 1.040) sp. gr

to temperature correction ut.

is

: :

0.000 75 / 2./

Total Type B uncertaintg

3 :0.000 O4g/ cmz. ue : ./ ( u.2 + ur.2

)

: 0.001 sp-gr Reference temperatur{Kl), 27 oC

(d)

' 50 rnN,/m STFu lcatcututed from irs mss and Stem Dia.) .. 0.000
For Density Hydrometer

Surface Tension

(-fu)

O34 s2TsrnS

i/ (0.000 07)2 +( 0.000 04)21 :0.00008g,/ cm3.

Combined uncertainty:
Combined uncertainty u.

Range
(

, (1.000 to 1.040) g/cms

:{
={

uo2 +

Scale interval
uu2 ) 0S)21

(d) (Is) :35

: 0.000

g/cm3

(0.00029)2 + (0.000
0.000 30 g/cm3

Reference temperature(RT): 15 oC Surface Tension

: 35 mN/m
mN,/m

Assuming

T:

Ts

Expanded uncertainty
The expanded uncertainty U

: :

k.u"

2 x 0.000 3Oglcm:

sp gr.: (Corrected Indicated density/Density of water)(both densities are in the same units and at same reference
temperature)

0.000 6 g/cm3
Density of water at 27oC

:0.996

5155g,/ cm3

30

Obseroations Sheet
Standard
l.D.No.

Table 6

Observed
Scale

Correction
g/cm3

Corrected value
g/cm3 0.996 26 g/cm3 (0.999 74) sp.gr 0.995 42 g/cm3 (0.998 90) sp.gr
1

Reading;
S1

Scale point of the UnderTest

Calculated

Mean

correction sp.gr
+ 0.00'1 00

Correction

Rounded

g/cm3 0.996 5 0.995 8 1.016 2 1.01s 4 1.025 8 1.024 6 1.036 2 1.035 4

CC +0.000 06 TC - 0.000 30
GC - 0.000 08

sp.gr
1.000

sp.gr
+ 0.000 58

sp.gr
+ 0.000 6

S2
S1

sTc - 0.000
MG

51

TC - 0.000 30 CC + 0.000 02 TC - 0.000 30

- 0.000 22 TC - 0.000 30 cc - 0.000 04 TG - 0.000 30 CC + 0.000 08 TC - 0.000 30 cc - 0.000 06 TC - 0.000 30

.015 92 g/cm3

S2
S1

cc

(1.019 47) sp.sr

1.015 28 g/cm3 (1.018 83) sp gr 1.025 46 glcm3

(1.028 64) sp.gr

1.024 38 g/cm3 (.027 96) so.qr 1.035 84 g/cm3 (1.039 46) sp.gr 1.034 98 g/cm3 (1.038 60) sp.gr

S2
S1

S2

cc - 0.000 12
TC - 0.000 30

- 0.000 75 0.998 74 1.020 sTc - 0.000 51 MC - 0.000 75 1-O18 74 1.029 05 sTC - 0.000 51 MC - 0.000 75 1.028 74 1.940 sTC - 0.000 51 MC - 0.000 75 1.038 74

+ 0.000 16
+ 0.000 73

+ 0.000 41
+ 0.000 09

+ 0.000 4

- 0.000 10 - 0.000 44 - 0.000 78 + 0.000 72

- 0.000 4

+ 0.000 29

+ 0.000

0.000 14

Cqlculqtions of Uncertainty in lvleasurements

Uncertainty due to meqsurement process ( Type A)

From data taken from the Table 6 uncertainty due to measurement process has been calculated as given in Table 7.

Table 7
Calculation of uncertainty due to measurement Process (Type A (Units in sp.gr)
)

Scale points

Scale Comection Using Stondqrds

Obseroed oo,riqtion

UA
Q-

width

1a- /,,1 3)

SI
1.000

s2
+0.000 16 +0.000 09
- 0.000 78 - 0.000 14

+0.001 00 +0.000 73
- 0.000 10

0.000 84 0.000 64 0.000 68 0.000 86

0.001 .

0.000 58 0.000 58 0.000 58 0.000 58

t.o20
1.030 1.040

0.001 . 0.001 r 0.001

d

+ o.ooo 72

'

* As half of the observed variation width is less

than

d value, a* is taken as

0.001 sp.gr

31

Standard uncertainty due to Standards ( Type B)

The expanded uncertainty of the standards used to calibrate the hydrometer will be the same as in Example 3 above

Combined uncertainty:

u.: v(uo2 *
0.000 65

ue2)

:{t(0.00058)2 +

(0.00029)21

g/c z

i.e.

u,

0.000 07 g / cms

Expanded uncertainty

Standard uncertainty due to temperature

correction (Type B)
From the Table 6, the temperah-re correction is

= k.u.

2 x 0.000 65

g/c

= 0.001 3 g/cm3

{.00030g/crn3
Assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertainty due

CORRIGENDUM

to temperature correction ut.

is

Mr. A. Dasgupta, CMTI

0.000 09 g

- Bangalore contributed

0.000 30

/ 2v3 :

cm3'

significantly for the article 'Guidelines for calibration of

Universal Testing Machines, Hardness Testing Machines & Impact testing machines' published in NABL NEWS, Issue No. 39, July 2OO5- His name was omitted as an

Standard uncertainty due to surface tension correction ( Type B)

From the Table 6,

-0.0005l g/c

the

surface tension correction is

oversight. The error is deeply regretted.

z'

Assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertainty due to surface tension correction is

Schedule for implementation of

usrc:
(Type B)

0.000

5l/2./g :o.ooo 15glcms'

ISO/ IEC 17025: 2OO5

of application as per ISO,/ IEC 17025. 2005 from June 29. 2005. Any application and Quality Manual received after this date as per
Receipt
earlier standard is to be revised by the laboratory

Standard uncertainty due to meniscus correction

From the Table 6,

the

meniscus correction is

-0.00075 9/cm3'
Assuming rectangular distribution standard uncertainty due to meniscus correction is
uMC

to conform to the new standard.

ii)

0.000 75

/ 2./ s :0.000 22g/

ut62)

cm3'

All assessments to take place on the basis of ISO/ IEC 17025:2005 from Januarv 0t. 2006.
All accredited/ applicant laboratories under going assessment after January 01, 2006 to submit revised Quality Manual as per ISO/ IEC 17025 2005 (if required) atleast one month before the date of assessment.

Total Type B uncertainty

ue={(u.2+u,"2 + urra2 +
./(o.ooo o7l2 + (0.000 09)2 + (0.000

iii)

75)2 + (0.000 22)2 |

0.00029g/cms'

32

PROF I CI EN CY TE'STIN G P ROGRAM ME S

Two new Proficiency Testing programmes in the Chemical and Mechanical disciplines for the testing laboratories will start very soon- The participation in NABL PT programme is mandatory if the area is covered in the laboratory's scope of accreditation- The participation fee for each programme is Rs. 2,5OO/-. The accredited and applicant laboratories may register their name for participation in the relevant programme by sending participation fee in the form of DD in favour of NABL, New Delhi.

Ptogranntne Progrannme

Porrimeterc

code
TM

Nodc,l

labratory
Technologists,

Last

n(nne
Metallographic Testing of Steel
Subodh

Datefor

Registration
30.10.2005
(Group A, B, C, D

lE

Mumbai

Thin & Thick Series)

identification & volume fraction

TC39

Testing of Skimmed Milk Powder

The request for participation in the above programme rnantioning the ptogramx7,e code number DD fot the requisite o,mount may be forwarded lortest by the date as giuen aboue-

and enclosing

Five more proficiency testing programmes on Electrical and Electronics testing which were launched earlier are still open for participation. The interested laboratories may participate in these programmes. Please refer to our website www.nabl-india.org for details-

The participation request may please be sent to:

Dn B-K. Ilana NABL, 84 Apartment, Qutab Hotel, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi-l10016 Tel: OIL-265297 18/ 19 /2O, Fax: 01 l-265297 t6 Email : bkr@nabl-india.org

Note:

For information on new proficiency testing programmes, NABL is reaching its accredited/applicant laboratories as well as other users of NABL services by direct communication, NABL News and NABL website- All the interested parties are requested to keep themselves abreast of the information available in relevant media.

i-

NABL TRAINING ACTIVITIES

tbDag Training Course on "I-o,botatory Quality Sysfem Nlanagetnent o,nd Internal Audit"
Designed for laboratory personnel involved in the management and establishment of laboratory quality systems, and establish/manage an internal audit programme for their laboratories as required by NABL criteria & International Standard

rsolEc

17025.

This is a four-day residential training programme and the course fees is Rs 7,000,/- per participant.

N ABL Assessors

Training Course

National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories is seeking individuals with technical knowledge
and current experience of working in a laboratory to train them as its technical assessors to conduct on- site assessments

of laboratories that perform testing and calibration.

Assessor training course is a five-day residential training programme and the course fees is Rs 7,500,/- per participant.

Training Progratnlrres on Calibration

NABL with NPL will organize 3 Tday training programmes each on Mass and Volume calibration, Pressure and Vacuum Calibration, Temperature calibration and Length Calibration.
The laboratories may nominate one person who is responsible for the relevant calibration activities. The laboratory must be either applicant / Accredited in the relevant field. Participation of more than one person,/ training programme from a laboratory is not allowed.

The numbers of seats for each training programme are limited- The selection of participants is at NABL's discretion.

Training Schedule
S. No.
1

*hedule
OcI24-28,
2OOS

Coutse
NABL Assessor Course
Temperature Calibration Laboratory Quality System Management and Internal Audit Course

Venue NIOT. Chennai NPL. New Delhi

CETE, Bangalore ERTL. Mumbai

2 3.

Nov 8-10, 2005

Nov 16-19, 2005

Dec 05-09, 2005
Dec 06-08, 2005 Jan- 2OO6 (3 days)

4 5.
6.
7.

Laboratory Quality System Management and Internal Audit Course Length Calibration
Pressure and Vacuum Calibration

NPL. New Delhi NPL, New Delhi NITS, BIS, Noida NITS, BIS, Noida

Jan. 30 -Feb. 3, 2006

Feb. 13 - L6,2006

NABL Assessor Course Laboratory Quality System Management and Internal Audit Course

8.

34

Conto.ct Details:
For Training Courses on Laboratory Quality System Management and Internal Audit Course. the details are as under,

I{ITS, BIS, Noidol

C-ontqct Electronics Regional Test Address Laboratory (West), Plot No. F -7 & 8, MIDC Area, Opp. SEEPZ, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400 093

EKIUltrl), Mutnbai
National Institute of Training for Standardization (NITS), Bureau of Indian Standards, A - 2O-2t,lnstitutional Area, Sector - 62, Noida - 2Ol3O7

CETE, Bo,ngalore
Center for Electronics Test Engineering, ETDC, 100 Feet Road, Peenya Industrial Estate, Bangalore- 560058

Tel: O22-28301 138, 28307468 Tel: O72O-24O22O2 - 07 Fax:O22-282257L3 Fax:Ol2O-24O22O2-O3 Contorct Mr. P. K. Srivastava, Percon Addl. Director
Mr. Anupam Kaul,
Head (Trg)

Tel. O8O-227 24232, 28393577 F axO8O-227 24232. 2839 3520

Mrs. Veena. S. Kamath.

Director Through demand draft favouring PAO-DI payable at Bangalore

Mode

Po;2ment Through Demand Draft favouring PAO-DIT payable at New Delhi

Through demand draft favouring NITS, BIS, Noida

For other cour,'ses, please conto,ct:

NIn M.VN- Moho'n, National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories, B-4 Apartment, Qutab Hotel, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016 Phone: O77- 265297L8- 20,26526864 Fax, 011- 265297 L6, E-mail : training@nabl-india.org NABL is cunently looking for uperts in the following areas to trqin os NABLAssessors..
, Density,

and calibration. The criteria for the selection of experts to be trained as assessors are as follows :

1.

Educational qualification:

For testing and calibration laboratories: post

ce or Graduate in Engineering with

o For Clinical
23.

in Testing,/ Calibration laboratory

Laboratories: MD with

experience in clinical laboratory. Should be currently working in the laboratory. Should have good communication skills.

years

Vacuum,

Testing Lqboro,tories: Pesticides, Microbiology, Drugs, pharmaceuticals, Building materials, Pollution -&
environmental, Food, Explosives, Ores and minerals, Metals, Fertilizers, Gold assaying, Forensic science and NDT.

of testing / calibration, group of tests or calibratlon with hands on experience, to:

details of qualification, experience, current employer, field

Interested candidates may send their bio-data with the

Clinical (Medical) Cytopathology, Hist

Biochemistry and Cytoge Experts must be experienced in both the management and

operation of testing

& calibration

techniqally knowledgeable in onb or more areas of testing

laboratories and be

Mn M.VN. Nloho,n, National Accreditation Board for Testing & Calibration Laboratories, B-4, Aparhnent, Qutab Hotel New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016 Phone: O7l- 26529718- 20,26526864 Fax: 011- 265297 L6 E-mail : training@nabl-india.org (For updated informo,tion on schedules of NABL training courses, you are requested to uisit NABL ue,bs ite.: www. no,bl-indio'. org)

35

NEW ACCREDITATION GRANTED

(JULY - SEPTEMBER, 2OO5)

Testing Laborstories
S. No.
1_

2. 3.

4. 5. 6.

t.
8. 9. 10. 11.

t2.
13.

74.
15. L6.

L7.
18. 19.

20.
27. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27.

28.
29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

34.
35.

I-o,boroltoryNo'me Aglow Quality Control Laboratory Pvt. Limited, Kolkata Aquadiagnostics Water Research & Technology Centre, Bangalore Bhagavathi Ana Labs Limited, Hyderabad Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Chandigarh Central Institute of Hand Tools, Jalandhar Central Materials and Processes Laboratory, Foundry & Forge Division, HAL (Bangalore Complex), Bangalore CTR Electronics Test Laboratory, Aurangabad Electronics Test & Development Centre, Chennai Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd, Ameenpur Independent Testing Laboratories, National Council Tor Cement & Building Materials, Hyderabad Laboratory of Government Examiner of Questioned Documents, Hyderabad Laboratory Services Division, Sargam Metals Private Ltd., Chennai Manisha Analytical Laboratories Private Limited, Mumbai Metal Testing Centre, Chennai Metallurgical Laboratory, Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, Chennai Micro Engineering and Testing Laboratory, Rai, Sonepat Network Clothing Company (P) Limited - Testing Services (NTS), Tirupur PhysiChem Material Testing Laboratory, Nashik Pollution and Project Consultants, Kolkata Quality Assurance Laboratory, GAIL (lndia) Limited, Lakwa Quality Assurance Laboratory, Raymond Limited Denim Division, Yavatmal (Maharashtra) Quality Control Department, Kochi Refineries Limited, Ambalamugal, Kerala Quality Control Laboratories, Birla Cement Works, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) Quality Control Laboratories, Chanderia Cement Works, Chittorgarh (Rajasthan) Quality Control Laboratory for Processed Foods, Ludhiana Quality Control Laboratory, UltraTech Cement Limited. A.P. Cement Works, Tadipatri Regional Laboratory, Textile Committee, Ludhiana Reliable Testing Services, Mumbai Scientific Services, Tata Steel Limited, Jamshedpur SGS India Private Limited, OG & C Laboratory, Thane Soil Engineering and Material Testing Wing, Pune Standard (Madras) Laboratories, Chennai Switchgear Testing Laboratories (STL), Larsen & Toubro Limited, Powai, Mumbai Testings Concern, Howrah VXL eTech - EMClSafety Lab, Bangalore

Disciplines C,M C,B

C,M,B
F

C, M, NDT L
E

C,B
C,M
F

C,B
M

C,M
M

C,M
M C C

C,M
C

C,M C,M
C

C,M C,M C,M C,M

C

C,M C,M
E

C,M
L

36

1. 2. 3. 4.

Calibrotion Lsb oratories

Accurate Engineering Co. Pvt- Ltd., Gurgaon Caliber Gauges & Instrument Laboratory, pune Central Institute of Hand Tools Laboratory, Jalandhar central Materials and Processes Laboratory, Foundry & Forge Division, HAL (Bangalore Complex), Bangalore Dimensions, Bangalore ICL Certifications Limited, (Calibration Division), panchkula Mikronix Gauges Pvt. Ltd., Aurangabad Quality Solutions (lndia), Faridabad Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, Bangalore Shriram Institute for Industrial Research, New Delhi Sankalp Hi-Tech Corporation, Nashik Tespa Calibration Services, Bangalore
M

M M

5. 6. 78. 9. 10. 11. 72.

M
M M M M

M
FF

M M

Clinical Laboratories 1. Bhide Laboratory, Mumbai

2.
3
4. 5.

Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Immunology, Microbiology and

Serology

6.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Department of Laboratory Services, B.M. Birla Heart Research Centre, Kolkata Department of Pathology, Calcutta Medical Research Institute, Kolkatta Dr. Vaidya's Laboratory, Thane Dr. Ajay Shah Pathology Laboratory, Mumbai Laboratory Services of Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi Manipal Hospital Diagnostic Services, Bangalore MolecularDiagnosticLaboratory, Reliance Life Sciences, Maumbai Madras Diagnostic Centre, Chennai Sipra Labs Limited (Clinical Laboratory), Hyderabad Testing & Cross-Match Laboratories, Prathama Blood Centre. Ahmedabad

Biochemistry, Pathology, Histopathology

Biochemistry, Pathology, Cytopathology, Haematology, Histopathology, Microbiology and Serology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Serology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Cytopathology, Histopathology, Microbiology and Serology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Cytopathology, Histopathology, Microbiology and Serology Cytogenetics, Immunology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Microbiology and Serology Biochemistry, Pathology, Haematology, Immunology
Immunology

Abbteoiationsused:C:Chemical,M=Mechanical,E:Electrical,T:Thermal,B:Biological,FF:FluidFlow,
P:Photometry,L:Electronics,F:ForensicTesting,NDT:NonDestructiveTesting,R:Radiological,ET:Electrotechnical, O = Optical, T&O - Thermal & Optical
Scope
" ww w. n

of Accreditation and other detoils of all Accredited abl-i n di a. org" u nder' Labo rato ry Se qrch,.

Lo,[p1r61tories are

auailable on NABL web site

37

MASTER LIST OF NABL DOCUMENTS

(NABL 2OO, Issue No. O8) All NABL documents can be downloaded free of cost from NABL website : www.nabl-india.org
S. No.

Document Name

Doc. No.

lssue
No.

lssue
Date Dec. 2004

Last Amend.
No.

Date of last Amend.

Price (Rs.) Free of cost

'|

General Information Brocnure Specific Criteria for Biological Testing Laboratories

Specific Guidelines for Chemical Testing Laboratories

NABL

1OO

2.
a

NABL 102
NABL
'|

01

994

o2
01

21.10.03
05 o7 05

Free of cos Free of cos Free of cosl Free ol cost Free of cos Free of cost

03

02 o2
0'1

28.02.o3 02.04.03
1

4.
tr

Specific Criteria for Electrical Testinq Laboratories Specific Criteria for Electronics Testing Laboratories Specific Criteria for Fluid Flow Testing Laboratories Guidelines and Specific Criteria for Accreditation

NABL 1 04 NABL 105 NABL .I 06 NABL 107

01

05 07.05 05.07.05 05.07.05 05.07.05

995
994

o2 02 o2

0.t

7.

02

Nov. 1999

of Mechanical Testing Laboratories

B

Specific Criteria for Non-Destructive Testino

Laboratories Specific Criteria for Photometry Testing Laboratories

NABL 108

01

994

o2

05.07.05

Free of cost

NABL 109 NABL 110

01

April 1998
1

02 02 o2 02

05.07.05 05.07.05 05.07.05 05.07.05

Free of cosl Free of cost Free of cost Free of cosl

'10

Specific Criteria for Radiological Testing Laboratories

01

994

11

Specific Criteria for Accreditation of Medical Laborator TSNABL 112

o2
01

11 05.05

12

Specific Guidelines for Accreditation of Forensic Science Laboratories & Checklist for Assessors

NABL 113

18 06.98

13.
rl

Specific Guidelines for Accreditation of DNA Fingerprinting Laboratories & Checklist for Assessor

NABL 113A

01

29.'t2.99

o2

21.10 03
Reinducted

Free of cost

on reqquest
Free of cost

14

NABL Guidelines for Food Testing Laboratories

NABL

1.14

02 03

05.07.05 08.10.02

00
01

Specific Criteria for Calibration Laboratories in

I

NABL-12.I

05.07.05

Free of Cost

Electro-Technical Discipline
;i

16.

Specific Criteria for Calibration Laboratoiies in Mechanical Measurement Discipline

NABL 122

03

08. t 0.02

01

05.07.05

ree of Cost

lir::.::::

38

S. No.

Document Name

Doc. No.

lssue
No.

lssue
Date

Last Amend. Date of last

No. Amend.

Price
(Rs.)

17

Specific Criteria for Calibration Laboratories in Radiological Discipline

NABL,I23

03

08 10.02

0'r

05.07.05

Free of Cos

18

Specific Criteria for Calibration Laboratories in

Thermal & Optical Discipline

NABL 124

03

08.10.02

02

05.07.05

Free of Cos

19

.Specific Criteria for Calibration Laboratories in

NABL

,I

25

03

08.10.02

01

05.07.05

Free of Cosl

Fluid Flow Discipline

zu

Specific Criteria for Site Testing and Site Calibration Laboratories

NABL 130

02

13 08.02

01

05.07 05

Free of Cos

)4

Terms and Conditions for Maintaining NABL

NABL 131

o4

01 .o3.o2

02

05.07.05

Free of Cos'

Accreditation
22.

NABL Guidelines to Accredited Laboratories

NABL 133

02

13.07.00

02

13.08.02

Free of cosl

for use of NABL Logo

)?

Guidelines for Estimation & Expression

NABL 14,I

02

o2.o4 00

03

18.08.00

Free of Cos

of Uncertainty in Measurement
24 Policy on Calibration and Traceabilitv
NABL 't42

03

't8.'to.o4

o2

05.07.05

Free of Cosl

of Measurements
25.
26 27 28

Application Form for Testing Laboratories Application Form for Calibration Laboratories
Guide for preparing a Quality Manual Guide for Internal Audit and Management Review

NABL 151 NABL 152 NABL 160 NABL 161

09 09 03 02

14.03.05 14.03.05 05.07 05 02.o4.o2

02

05.07.05 05.07.05

Free of Cos Free of Cosl Free of Cos

o2 00
02

05.07.05

Free of Cos

for

Laboratories NABL 162

03

Guidelines for Proficiency testing programme for Testing & Calibration Laboratories
30

04.04.01

01

05.07.05

Free of Cosl

Policies & Procedures for Interlaboratory comparisons and/ or Proficiency Testing

NABL 163

o4

13.08.02

o4

18.10.04

Free of cosi

'39

S. No.

Document Name

Doc. No.

lssue
No.

lssue
Date 28.04.05

Last Amend. Date of lasl

No.
00

Price (Rs.)

Amend.

31

Guidelines for Inter-Laboratory Comparison for Calibration Laboratories where formal PT

programmes are not available.

NABL 164

01

Free of cosl

32.

Sample Calculations for Uncertainty ol Measurement in Electrical Testino

NABL 174

o2

14.10.O4

01

05.07.05

Free of Cos

JJ

Master list of NABL Documents Pre-Assessment Guidelines and Forms NABL Assessor Guide

NABL

2OO

08
01

0s.07.05
02.12.O2

00

Free of cos
05 o7 05 05 o1 05

34.
35
JO

NABL 209 NABL 210 NABL 214

0t
03 05

Free of cost Fi re of cosl Free of cosl

03 03

01.05.02 03.o4.o2

Policy and Procedures for Assessment, Surveillance & Re-Assessment of Laboratories

Assessment Forms & Checklists (Based on ISO/IEC 17025)

05.07.05

37

NABL 215

UJ

0s.07.05

00

Free of cost

38

Policies 8. Procedures f or Dealino with

NABL 216

01

28 10.O2

10

05,07 05

f:ree of cos

Adverse Decisions
39

Bio-data of Assessors
:

NABL 22-I

01

02.08 04

00

05 07.05

['ree of cos

Note

1. 2. 3.

The shaded boxes of a row indicate the new issues or neu/ amendments of the document and the shaded row indicate the new documents published or withdrawn.

All NABL documents can be downloaded free of cost f rm NABL website : www.nabl-india.org The Master list is updated on a reqular basis and is also availaille on NABL wbsite.
:

ECitorial Board

Shobhna Sharma - Chief Editor Rajesh Maheshwari - Member

R.

Srikanth

- Member

tiABL NEWS is quarterly published by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Labc'-ai,,.-'iies (NABL)
B-4 Apartment, Qutab Hotel, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016. India Tel.: 011- 26529778- 20,26526864, Fax: 017- 26529776 E-rrail, info@nabl-india.org Website : www.nabl-india.org
Registered Office: Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road. New Delhi-110016

40