On-site peer review CEM, INRIM and IPQ

Project Description

The rules of CIPM MRA obligates the NMIs to operate a QMS in conformity with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO Guide 34 (if applicable), to support their calibration activities. This project of joint audits of QMSs is intended to support the development and improvement processes of NMIs and provide a tool for a better international recognition, establishing and enhancing confidence in the fulfillment of the requirements of CIPM MRA.

The use of metrological experts with a knowledge of the latin root languages for the evaluation of quality documentation will also facilitate the communication during the audit and reduces possible translation costs.

A peer review programme will be planned to carry out on a annual base.

Progress Report 2024-03-13

Up to now 44 peer visits were performed to CEM, INRIM and IPQ, 1 per year and per institute, in addition to 18 peer visits to DIs

• 7 on the Ionisation Radiation field: ENEA-INMRI (Italy), IST-ITN (Portugal) and LMRI-CIEMAT (Spain)
• 3 on Photometry: IO-CSIC (Spain)
• 2 on Humidity: INTA (Spain)
• 2 on Ozone: ISCIII (Spain)
• 2 on Time and Frequency: ROA (Spain)
• 1 on High Voltage: LCOE (SPAIN) and
• 1 on Seawater (silica parameter) and Sediments (mercury parameter): IH-LQPM (Portugal)
   

In odd years the peer visits are performed with a scope covering both the Quality Management System (QMS) and two metrological fields and in even years only two metrological fields are reviewed.

In 2023, the peer reviews were carried out in remote and on site, allowing the reduction of costs. The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere, allowing to share experiences. During the audits almost all the CMCs published in the KCDB, in the fields evaluated, were reviewed. A good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works was demonstrated.

The reported general opinion of the different team members was that the institutes have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

Progress Report 2023-03-14

Up to now 41 peer visits were performed to CEM, INRIM and IPQ, 1 per year and per each Institute, and 16 peer visits to DIs

• 7 in the Ionisation Radiation field: ENEA-INMRI (Italy), IST-ITN (Portugal) and LMRI-CIEMAT (Spain)
• 2 in Photometry: IO-CSIC (Spain)
• 2 in Humidity: INTA (Spain)
• 2 in Ozone: ISCIII (Spain)
• 2 in Time and Frequency: ROA (Spain), and
• 1 in Seawater (silica parameter) and Sediments (mercury parameter): IH-LQPM (Portugal)

In the odd-numbered years the scope of the peer visits covers the Quality Management System (QMS) together with, at least, two metrological fields.
In 2022, the peer reviews were carried out in hybrid format (remote and on site). The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere, allowing to share experiences. During the audits it was checked almost all CMCs published in the KCDB.

It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works. The general opinion of the team members at the final reports performed was that all the Institutes visited have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

Progress Report 2022-10-04

Up to now 38 peer visits were performed to CEM, INRIM and IPQ, 1 per year and per each NMI, and 14 peer visits to DIs

• 5 in the Ionissation Radiation field: ENEA-INMRI (Italy), IST-ITN (Portugal) and LMRI-CIEMAT (Spain)
• 2 in Photometry: IO-CSIC (Spain)
• 2 in Humidity: INTA (Spain)
• 2 in Ozone: ISCIII (Spain)
• 2  in Time and Frequency: ROA (Spain), and
• 1 in Seawater (silica parameter) and Sediments (mercury parameter): IH-LQPM (Portugal)
   

In the odd-numbered years the scope of the peer visits covers the Quality Management System (QMS) together with, at least, two metrological fields.

In 2021, the peer reviews were performed in online format as in 2020 because of the pandemic situation. However, the experience was highly recommended to alternate with traditional visits.
The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere allowing share experiences. During the audits it was checked almost all CMCs published in the KCDB.
It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, and a good organisation and execution of the works.

The general opinion expressed by the different team members in the final reports was that all the institutes already visited have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

Dolores del Campo has taken over the coordination of this project from Jose A. Robles.

Progress Report 2021-04-12

EURAMET Project 1123 is ongoing according to a peer review programme of joint/cross audits performed on an annual base.
Up to now 34 peer visits were performed to CEM, INRIM and IPQ, 1 per year and per each Institute and 14 peer visits to DIs

• 5 Ionisation Radiation: ENEA-INMRI (Italy), IST-ITN (Portugal) and LMRI-CIEMAT (Spain)
• 2 Photometry: IO-CSIC (Spain)
• 2 Humidity: INTA (Spain)
• 2 Ozone: ISCIII (Spain)
• 2 Time and Frequency: ROA (Spain), and
• 1 Seawater (silica parameter) and Sediments (mercury parameter) IH-LQPM (Portugal).

In odd years the peer visits are performed with a scope covering Quality Management System (QMS) and two Metrological Fields and in even years it is considered the Metrological Fields.
In 2020, the peer review was carried out in online format, the experience being highly recommended to alternate with traditional visits.
The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere allowing share experiences.
During the audits it was checked almost all CMCs approved by CIPM. It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works. The general opinion of the team members at the final reports performed was that all the Institutes already visited have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

Progress Report 2014-06-17

Up to now 14 peer visits were performed to CEM, INRIM and IPQ, 1 per year and per each Institute, and 4 peer visits to DIs

• 3 in the field of Ionising Radiation (CIEMAT-Spain, ENEA-Italy, LMRI-Portugal)
• 1 in the Optics (Instituto de Óptica, CSIC – Spain)

according to tables presented in Annex 1. In odd years the peer visits are performed with a scope covering Quality Management System (QMS) and two Metrological Fields and in even years it is considered the Metrological Fields. The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere. During the audits it was checked almost all CMCs approved by CIPM. It was a random process that does not cover 100 % of the QMS but allowed to build an overview of its functioning, focused on the technical matters. It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works. The general opinion of the team members at the final reports performed was that all the Institutes already visited have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

Progress Report 2011-02-10

Four peer visits were performed in 2010, one still from 2009 first cycle with a scope covering two metrological fields and QMS (see Annex), and 3 from the 2010 second cycle with a scope covering three metrological fields as planned at the peer review programme.

The first visit from 2009 cycle was at INRIM from 18th to 19th May covering QMS, length and thermometry fields. From the 2010 cycle, the first visit was to CEM from 5th to 6th and 28th October and to pressure, electricity and mass; the second one at INRIM from 11th to 12th November to mass, electricity DC, Low and Radiofrequencies and the third one to IPQ from 28th to 29th November, covering thermometry, pressure and mass.

These peer visits followed the "Propose Guide for on site visit by peers". It was decided that all QMS documentation and the one related to CMCs should be delivered two weeks before the visits what was fulfilled by the partners. A draft audit report with the findings was provided by the audit team at the end of each visit. All final reports from 2009 cycle IPQ and CEM are completed. The 2010 peer visits are still on-going.

The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere. During the audits it was checked almost all CMCs aproved by CIPM and some others now under revision by EURAMET. It was a random process that does not cover the 100 % of the QMSs but allowed to build an overview of its functioning, focused on the technical matters. It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works. The opinion of the team members at the 2010 draft reports was that CEM, INRIM and IPQ have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrates conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

This project will continue with a third cycle peer visits in the second semester 2011. It will cover again the QMS and technical fields according to the established plan.

Progress Report 2010-02-12

Two peer visits were performed in 2009 with metrological and quality experts (see Annex) as planned at the peer review programme. This programme will be to carry out on an annual base. The first visit was at IPQ from 20th 23rd October and the second one at CEM from 15th to 16th December. As decided, in this joint audits plan, the peer visit at IPQ covered te Quality Management System (QMS) and the Laboratories for Length and Electricity quantities. The peer visit at CEM covered also the QMS and the Laboratories for Length quantities and Thermometry. These peer visits followed the "Propose Guide for on site visit by peers". It was decided that all QMS documentation and the one related to CMCs should be delivered two weeks before the visits what was fulfilled by IPQ and CEM. A draft audit report with the findings was provided by the audit team at the end of each visit. The IPQ final report is completed and CEM report is still on-going.

The peer visits run smoothly in a very open and constructive atmosphere. During both audits it was checked almost all CMCs approved by CIPM and some others now under revision by EURAMET. It was a random process that does not cover the 100% of the QMSs but allowed to build an overview of its functioning, focused on the technical matters. It was observed a good technical competence of the personnel, a good organisation and execution of the works. The opinion of the team member was that IPQ and CEM have an adequate QMS and its implementation demonstrate conformity with the requirements of the CIPM-MRA.

This project will continue with the visit to INRIM foreseen on March 2010. After this visit it will start the second phase that will cover other laboratories of the participating partners.