What is a calibration certificate ? Why do you need it? Is it a legal obligation? We answer all these questions and many others to help you understand everything you need to know about calibration certificates.
We have also examined one of our UKAS certificates To understand what everything it contains really means. In France, the reference certificate is the Cofrac. Control organizations accept certificates Ukas Because they are 100% equivalents Cofrac.
What is a calibration certificate?
A calibration certificate is a official document attesting that your thermometer has undergone a calibration test in an accredited laboratory. On the certificate appears the date, there mehod and results of the test.
The calibration test compares the measurements of your thermometer with a traceable device or a Reference thermometer.
This documentation proves the precision of your thermometer. If the results show that the thermometer is incorrect, he must be rebounded. You will receive a new documentation to show it.
Are calibration certificates a legal requirement?
Calibration certificates are not a legal requirement in France. In catering applications, your HACCP plan will determine how and when your business must calibrate your thermometers.
However, a calibration certificate is the only legal document that proves that your equipment is exact. There are several advantages to this:
- A calibration certificate can be used in front of a court in case of health problem and security linked to a dangerous temperature.
- Calibration certificates are useful for Environmental health workers visits (ASE) and others inspections Or audit.
- Make sure your thermometers are calibrated with a high level of precision will preserve the quality and the security of your temperature checks.
What does traceability mean?
When a thermometer undergoes a calibration, his readings are verified in relation to a Reference thermometer. The reference thermometer must have already undergone a calibration test using an even higher standard than that currently underway.
Each time a device undergoes a calibration test using a thermometer which has been calibrated according to a higher standard, it forms a chain. When this chain is uninterrupted and brings back to the highest reference thermometer of a national (or equivalent) calibration center, it becomes traceable.
What is Ukas calibration?
Ukas is The National UK accreditation organization. When the UKAS accredits a laboratory, its tests are carried out according to the highest standards in the country.
Many other countries have their own accreditation organizations that manage their national standards. THE Nist is responsible for this at UNITED STATES And it's the Cofrac For there France.
What is the difference between a traceable certificate and a UKAS certificate?
If your thermometer is tested compared to a Reference thermometer In the traceability chain, you will have a traceable certificate.
To have the certificate Ukas, an accredited laboratory must test your thermometer.
A traceable certificate is often satisfying for them Ase And other inspectors who may want to check your calibration procedures during visits. This certificate accredited will give you additional peace of mind. In addition your measurement device will be calibrated according to The highest standards.
Distribution of the UKAS calibration certificate
You will find below a example of certificate of our UKAS laboratory. Read the key to find out more about each section.
To the date to which the calibration certificate was issued.
Wheat number unique certificate.
Key logo Ukas calibration official; This shows that the certificate is traceable to the national standard of the United Kingdom. The number under the logo is the unique code of the laboratory accredited by Ukas. Details of the company accreditation can be found on the UKAS website.
D. Address And contact details of the calibration laboratory.
E. Name And signature of the person who did the calibration.
F. Name And customer address.
G. Order number.
H. Reference number.
I. Date to which the instrument is arrived in the laboratory and date to which calibration was finished.
J. Room temperature And humidity in the laboratory during the test.
K. The international temperature scale from 1990-(ITS-90) is a temperature scale used by laboratories for calibrate Thermometers. Temperatures are determined by maintaining substances, such as water, mercury and tin, under conditions where they will maintain a specific temperature. The use of these standards allows laboratories to be sure of the temperatures they use to test thermometers, offering a high level of precision.
L. Thermometer name to calibrate.
M. Sensor type being calibrated.
N. Standard numbers of the instrument and the sensor being calibrated.
O. Requested beach for calibration by the customer.
P. Method And equipment Used to calibrate the thermometer.
Q. Temperature Or humidity Used to test the thermometer.
A. If the instrument readings and the test temperatures are different, the thermometer can be rebounded if possible and if necessary. The readings in this example are the same, so no action is necessary.
S. Even with the most expensive equipment and controlled environments, measures cannot always be 100 %precise. The uncertainty of the doubt reports on this possibility. If the measurement uncertainty is ± 0.04 ° C, the test results can be superiors Or inferior of 0.04 ° C at the temperatures indicated in the certificate. The resolution of the instrument must also be added to this. Thus, if the uncertainty of measurement is to ± 0.04 ° C and that the resolution of the instrument is 0,01, Total uncertainty of measure would be ± 0.05 ° C.
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