Challenges of achieving accreditation to ISO 6789-2:2017 – for the calibration of hand torque tools

In recent years hand torque tools have been manufactured and calibrated in accordance with the standard BS EN ISO 6789:2003. A number of flaws were identified with this standard and therefore a revised version BS EN ISO 6789:2017 was released. The new standard required a significant increase in the number of measurements to be made which in turn created a risk to engineers, from repetitive strain injuries and a potential increase in cost to customers. As the market leader for calibration with a high demand for accredited calibration, Trescal set the following objectives: minimise risk to Engineers, maintain a cost effective service and be the first non-manufacturer to obtain accreditation to the revised standard. Significant investment in automated equipment not only reduced the risk of injury to engineers but also reduced calibration times and therefore cost. However the use of automated solutions for calibration of mechanical devices, created a number of challenges when trying to achieve accreditation. Differences in the interpretation of the ISO standard by national assessment bodies resulted in variations of requirements and timescales for achieving accreditation throughout Europe. Our presentation will highlight some of these issues