Mark – the real question about the Calibration of equipment, regardless of ownership – is Calibration actually not required? The simple question is – “Is the piece of equipment used to measure Quality?” Or – even more simply – “Do I care about the measurement – does it make a difference?” If you check your thermostat and it indicates 72F – does it really matter whether it is 70 or 74F – as long as you are comfortable?

There is no requirement as to where your inspection and testing will occur. The simple expectation is that you will do incoming, in-process, final or multiples where you or your customer have identified the requirement. How you have confidence in the results – typically – is through having calibrated equipment. There was a philosophy at one time that said as long as the equipment at final inspection was calibrated – I’m good. NO! While this may keep nonconforming material from getting to the customer, you have all the organization’s time, effort and raw material that wouldn’t have been wasted if the out of spec condition had been caught earlier.

If it’s a lot of work to calibrate equipment ask how much effort it is to rework or replace product. Do what is of value for the organization – that usually answers the question.

– Mike Haycock, Senior BRC Consultant