As we shared with the announcement on our website dated June 02, 2023; The new revision of the ISO/IEC 17043 Conformity Assessment - General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers, the basic document used for the accreditation of public, university and private proficiency test providers, was published on 9 May 2023.

• A transition policy has been prepared and presented below for the transition of proficiency test providers currently accredited from ISO/IEC 17043:2010 version to TS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 and for the acceptance of applications of proficiency test providers who want to be newly accredited according to ISO/IEC 17043:2023. The transition to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 of proficiency test providers who will apply or have applied for accreditation as the Turkish Accreditation Agency and proficiency test providers accredited by our Institution will be provided as follows:
• New applications submitted according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard will be accepted until April 1, 2024, and applications after this date will be received according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard.
• If proficiency test providers who have applied to our Institution according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard by 1 April 2024 request to undergo an audit before 1 September 2024, their first accreditation audits will be carried out according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard. The first surveillance and/or scope expansion assessments of these proficiency test providers will be carried out according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard and their transition to the new revision will be ensured.
• Proficiency test providers accredited by our institution are required to complete their preparations for the new revision by September 1, 2024. All initial accreditation, surveillance, scope expansion or accreditation re-accreditation assessments to be carried out after this date will be carried out in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard and standard transitions will be ensured. The accreditations of proficiency testing providers who have not transferred their accreditations to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 by May 31, 2026, under ISO/IEC 17043:2010 will be suspended for a maximum of 6 months. If accredited proficiency testing providers are unable to complete the necessary processes to complete the transition process within this period, their accreditation under ISO/IEC 17043:2010 will be withdrawn and proficiency testing providers will be required to re-apply for accreditation.

During the transition period, ISO/IEC 17043:2023 and ISO/IEC 17043:2010 are equally valid and applicable. Accredited organizations that want to be accredited can access the new standard from the Turkish Standards Institute.

When the fundamental changes are examined, the structural form of the standard is similar to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. In addition to its structural similarity, it is harmonized with the quality and technical articles of ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001:2015. The emphasis is on a system that is risk and opportunity focused and encourages continuous improvement. Another significant change is to integrate the revisions in the ISO 13528:2022 standard to which the standard relates and to reflect common elements in ISO/CASCO PROC 33. There is a direct reference to the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard in matters related to testing and calibration activities during the preparation phase of the proficiency test, and to ISO/IEC 17034:2016 in case of using certified reference material. Additionally, Annex C in the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 version will be deleted and Annexes A and B will be revised.

Useful Links:

TSE Standard Search: https://intweb.tse.org.tr/Standard/Standard/StandardAra.aspx

ISO's Site: https://www.iso.org/standard/80864.html

Information about ISO/IEC ISO 17043:2023 training will be announced on the TÜRKAK website in the coming days.