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.

Key Components

• Eight main clauses: general (impartiality/confidentiality), structural, resource, process, and management system requirements.
• Focuses on personnel competence, facilities, equipment traceability, method validation, uncertainty evaluation, proficiency testing.
• Built on risk-based thinking; Option A/B for management systems.
• Leads to accreditation by ILAC-recognized bodies attesting scope-specific competence.

Why Organizations Use It

• Ensures globally accepted results, market access, regulatory compliance.
• Mitigates risks from invalid data, enhances trust with customers/regulators.
• Provides competitive edge via demonstrated technical reliability and impartiality.

Implementation Overview

• Phased PDCA: gap analysis, documentation, training, validation, audits.
• Suited for labs across industries; requires technical evidence, proficiency testing.
• Involves accreditation assessments with witnessed activities.

What It Is

GRI Standards are the world's most widely used sustainability reporting framework, developed by the Global Reporting Initiative. They provide a modular system for organizations to disclose significant impacts on the economy, environment, and people using an impact-centric materiality approach, prioritizing actual and potential effects over financial materiality alone.

Key Components

• Universal Standards (GRI 1: Foundation, GRI 2: General Disclosures, GRI 3: Material Topics) for baseline requirements.
• Sector Standards for high-impact industries like oil & gas, mining.
• Topic Standards (e.g., GRI 403 Occupational Health & Safety, GRI 308 Supplier Environmental Assessment) with specific disclosures.
• Built on principles like accuracy, balance, verifiability; compliance via GRI Content Index.

Why Organizations Use It

• Aligns with regulations (e.g., EU CSRD); manages risks via supply chain due diligence.
• Enables benchmarking, stakeholder trust, investor access.
• Drives governance, data-driven decisions, competitive advantage.

Implementation Overview

Phased: materiality assessment, data architecture, management disclosures, content index. Applies universally; no certification but assurance recommended. (178 words)