ISO 17025 is the international standard that specifies the general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. It covers essential aspects such as quality management, technical proficiency, and the reliability of laboratory testing and calibration. For laboratories working in controlled environments, one of the most critical components of compliance is ensuring that airborne contaminants are properly managed. This is where aerosol generators, such as the TEC AG-E3, play a vital role. Here’s insight into this role from LAF tech, the leading lab equipment supplier and NATA-accredited calibration services for Australia and New Zealand.
The Importance of ISO 17025 in Laboratories
ISO 17025 accreditation ensures that a laboratory’s testing and calibration processes are both technically sound and reliable. For laboratories working in highly regulated fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and manufacturing, compliance with ISO 17025 is not just a matter of maintaining operational integrity—it’s a legal and safety requirement.
One of the core elements of this standard is the requirement for laboratories to demonstrate the accuracy, repeatability, and traceability of their testing methods. In environments where even minor airborne contaminants can affect experimental results or product quality, maintaining air purity is paramount. Laboratories must prove that their controlled environments are operating as intended, and this is where aerosol generators come into play.
Aerosol Generators: A Key Tool for Environmental Control
Aerosol generators produce particles of known size and concentration that simulate airborne contaminants. These particles are then introduced into the cleanroom or laboratory environment to test the effectiveness of air filtration systems. The data collected from these tests is crucial for verifying that the cleanroom meets the required standards for air purity, allowing laboratories to stay compliant with ISO 17025.
By using an aerosol generator like the TEC AG-E3, laboratories can validate their filtration systems through a series of tests, ensuring that the air quality is continuously monitored and maintained. This process allows laboratories to confirm that their equipment meets the strict technical requirements for particle concentration, size distribution, and air handling efficiency. Without these tests, it would be impossible to guarantee the consistency and accuracy of environmental control systems.
The TEC AG-E3: Ensuring ISO 17025 Compliance
Among the leading aerosol generators available for laboratory use, the TEC AG-E3 stands out for its reliability, precision, and ease of use. Designed specifically for cleanroom and laboratory applications, the TEC AG-E3 produces a stable, uniform aerosol that is ideal for testing high-efficiency air filtration systems. Its advanced design allows for precise control over particle size and concentration, which is critical for accurate environmental testing.
Here are a few key features that make the TEC AG-E3 essential for laboratories seeking ISO 17025 compliance:
- Particle Size Precision: The TEC AG-E3 can produce particles in a highly controlled size range, ensuring that laboratories can replicate real-world contamination scenarios for filtration testing. This precision helps in meeting the technical requirements for ISO 17025, where repeatable and traceable testing is mandatory.
- Ease of Operation: The device is user-friendly, allowing laboratory technicians to operate it with minimal training. This is crucial for maintaining ISO 17025 compliance, where the standard emphasises competence and proper use of equipment.
- Reliability and Consistency: One of the biggest challenges in laboratory testing is ensuring consistency across repeated tests. The TEC AG-E3 offers unmatched reliability, producing consistent aerosol output with minimal fluctuation, ensuring that the data collected is accurate and reliable.
- Flexibility for Multiple Applications: In addition to cleanroom validation, the TEC AG-E3 can be used in a variety of other applications, including filter testing, HVAC validation, and contamination control assessments. This flexibility makes it an invaluable tool for laboratories looking to maintain ISO 17025 compliance across various testing environments.
Maintaining Compliance Through Regular Testing and Calibration
Achieving ISO 17025 accreditation is only the beginning; maintaining compliance requires ongoing diligence. Laboratories must regularly calibrate and validate their lab equipment to ensure that it continues to operate within the required parameters. This applies not only to the filtration systems themselves but also to the tools used to validate these systems, such as aerosol generators.
Regular NATA-accredited calibration services for aerosol generators like the TEC AG-E3 are essential for maintaining the accuracy of the tests they are used in. LAF tech, a leading lab equipment supplier in Australia and New Zealand, provides comprehensive calibration services that align with ISO 17025 standards. By ensuring that their aerosol generators are properly calibrated, laboratories can meet their ongoing compliance requirements and avoid any potential issues during audits or inspections.
LAF tech – We Supply, Install, Test & Calibrate Lab Equipment
For laboratories aiming to uphold the highest standards of testing and calibration, LAF tech provides the essential lab equipment and services, including the TEC AG-E3, to ensure a compliant, controlled environment that meets the demands of ISO 17025. Looking for a leading lab equipment supplier for aerosol generators and NATA-accredited calibration services? Contact us or book a technician today.