ISO 17025
International standard for competence of testing/calibration laboratories
APRA CPS 234
Australian prudential standard for information security resilience.
Quick Verdict
ISO 17025 ensures lab testing competence globally via accreditation, while APRA CPS 234 mandates information security resilience for Australian financial entities. Labs adopt ISO 17025 for market trust; financiers comply to avoid regulatory penalties.
ISO 17025
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for competence of testing/calibration laboratories
Key Features
- Demonstrates competence, impartiality of testing/calibration labs
- Mandates ongoing impartiality risk identification/mitigation
- Requires metrological traceability and uncertainty evaluation
- Integrates risk-based thinking across all clauses
- Enables ILAC global mutual recognition of results
APRA CPS 234
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security
Key Features
- Board ultimate responsibility for information security
- 72-hour notification for material incidents to APRA
- Third-party managed assets fully in scope
- Systematic risk-based control testing program
- Asset classification by criticality and sensitivity
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ISO 17025 Details
What It Is
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 is the international standard specifying general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. It applies a risk-based, performance-oriented approach tying management controls to technical validity of results, covering testing, calibration, and sampling activities.
Key Components
- Eight core elements: general (impartiality/confidentiality), structural, resource, process, and management system requirements.
- Focus on metrological traceability, measurement uncertainty, method validation, personnel competence, and proficiency testing.
- Built on risk-based thinking; Option A/B for management systems (standalone or ISO 9001-aligned).
- Leads to accreditation by ILAC-signatory bodies attesting technical scope-specific competence.
Why Organizations Use It
- Ensures global acceptance of results via ILAC mutual recognition, enabling market access.
- Meets regulatory/supply-chain demands; mitigates risks of rejected results, liability.
- Builds trust, reduces rework, enhances efficiency and competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased PDCA: gap analysis, documentation, technical validation, audits, accreditation assessment.
- Suits labs of all sizes/industries; requires metrology expertise, PT participation.
- Ongoing surveillance via audits, reviews for sustained accreditation.
APRA CPS 234 Details
What It Is
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Effective from 1 July 2019, it mandates APRA-regulated entities (banks, insurers, super funds) to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats to ensure resilience against incidents impacting confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information assets, including those managed by third parties. It adopts a risk-based, assurance-driven approach emphasizing governance, testing, and notification.
Key Components
- **11 core requirementsBoard accountability, role definitions, capability maintenance, asset classification, lifecycle controls, incident response, systematic testing, internal audit assurance, and APRA notifications (72 hours for material incidents, 10 business days for control weaknesses).
- Built on CIA triad principles; no fixed control count but commensurate with risk.
- Compliance via evidence-based assurance, no formal certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid enforcement, penalties, and heightened supervision.
- Enhances cyber resilience, third-party oversight, stakeholder protection.
- Builds trust, operational continuity, competitive edge in financial services.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, governance/policy setup, asset classification, controls/testing, incident plans.
- Applies to all sizes of APRA entities in Australia; requires independent audits and Board reporting.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ISO 17025 | APRA CPS 234 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Laboratory competence, testing/calibration validity | Information security, cyber resilience in finance |
| Industry | Testing/calibration labs globally, all sectors | Australian financial services (banks, insurers) |
| Nature | Voluntary accreditation standard | Mandatory prudential regulation |
| Testing | Proficiency testing, method validation, audits | Systematic control testing, internal audit |
| Penalties | Loss of accreditation, market exclusion | Regulatory sanctions, fines, enforcement |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ISO 17025 and APRA CPS 234
ISO 17025 FAQ
APRA CPS 234 FAQ
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