NATA accredited calibration laboratory.
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FAQ


What is calibration?

Calibration is a process that compares the measurements performed by an instrument with those made by a more accurate instrument or standard, within a specified accuracy, for the purpose of detecting and reporting, or eliminating by adjustment, errors in the instrument tested. A compliant calibration does not necessarily include adjustments to bring the instrument up to specified performance. It may only require evidence of performance to within manufacturer’s specification.


Why is calibration important?

Equipment is designed to meet the needs of its user and calibration ensures these needs are being met. Even the best components deteriorate and drift over time and must be tested regularly by a certified laboratory to ensure they are working as intended. Inaccurate equipment can result in the acceptance of incorrect results, or rejection of normally correct results. A seemingly insignificant error may be magnified into something much larger down the line. Neglecting calibration can cause direct economic losses, production downtime, quality problems and product recalls. Employee and customer safety may become at risk. Having test equipment calibrated reduces costs and increases efficiency in operations. It increases a company’s reputation for quality and safety, and will fulfil any regulatory or contractual obligations. Sufficiently correct measurements are essential for businesses. Calibration gives confidence that test equipment will operate as designed and ensures accurate measurements are being delivered.


How often do I need to calibrate my equipment?

Periodic testing is recommended, but a time period cannot be given unless specifically requested by you, or is a legal requirement. To determine the re-calibration interval, a number of factors need to be considered:

  • importance of measurements

  • manufacturer recommendations

  • operating environment

  • historical stability of the equipment

  • regulatory requirements

NATA has published guidelines for general equipment calibration intervals: https://nata.com.au/files/2021/05/General-Equipment-Table.pdf

Typically, our clients have their equipment calibrated on a 1-year recurring schedule. Ultimately it is up to you and your quality system to determine the best calibration schedule for your particular needs based on the above factors, and we are happy to discuss these with you.


A calibration certificate documents what was calibrated, who performed the calibration, when and where the calibration was performed and how it was performed. The results shown on a calibration certificate are only valid at the time of calibration.

What is a calibration certificate?


Laboratory accreditation is a rigorous certification process that provides customers of measurement services with assurance of the quality of the services provided. It provides a high degree of confidence that our laboratory has the technical competency and adequate quality systems to perform calibration to an agreed standard. Accrediting bodies audit management, quality systems, and technical competence to ensure traceability and consistency across the entire calibration process.

What is accreditation?


Traceability is the unbroken chain of comparisons from the measurement being made by an instrument, to a recognised national, legal standard.  A traceable calibration is achieved when each instrument and standard, in a hierarchy stretching back to the national standard, was itself calibrated, and the results properly documented. The documentation provides the information needed to show that all the calibrations in the chain of calibrations were performed properly.  The uncertainty of measurement for each step in the traceability chain is calculated and stated so that an overall uncertainty for the whole chain can be calculated. Laboratories like ours that perform steps in the chain, supply evidence of our technical competence through accreditation.  Traceability is key to meeting worldwide measurement and regulatory requirements. It confirms that your instruments will measure accepted units to agreed levels of accuracy.

What is traceability?


NATA is the authority responsible for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, calibration services, producers of certified reference materials and proficiency testing scheme providers throughout Australia. NATA provides independent assurance of quality and technical competence through a proven network of best practice industry experts for customers who require confidence in the delivery of their products and services.

What is NATA?


The core of NATA accreditation is the third party, objective, peer review process at a scientific and technical level that provides assurance of the laboratory’s capability to produce reliable outputs.  The key to confidence in any result must lie in the competence of the facility providing that result, and it is here that our NATA accredited facility proves its value. When a calibration laboratory becomes accredited, it demonstrates that the laboratory meets the standards of quality and technical competency of the accreditation organization. Accreditation most often involves onsite assessments, proficiency testing and periodic follow-ups. Accreditation is an indication of our laboratory’s technical competence and our ability to make measurements of a specified accuracy.
More information on the benefits of using a NATA accredited facility can be found here.

Why use a NATA accredited facility?


Currently, our turn-around time is approximately 5-7 business days from when your equipment arrives at our laboratory. We can provide a priority service for items to be placed at the front of the queue for an additional fee.

What is your turn-around time?


Unfortunately not. Calibration is done in our accredited laboratory where environmental factors such as temperature and humidity are monitored and controlled. Equipment must be sent in to our laboratory to stabilise and soak in our environment for at least 12 hours before testing can start.

Can you calibrate on-site?