CHALLENGES AND IMPACT OF ISO/IEC17025 ACCREDITATION; IN ETHIOPIAN CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT AND ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL METROLOGY INSTITUTE

Abstract

Accreditation is formal recognition that a testing laboratory is competent to carry out the tests identified within the scope of accreditation. Governments in many countries worldwide have increasingly focused on accreditation as an important strategy to improve the quality of products. In Ethiopia, accreditation is still in its initial stage of development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenge of institutional accreditation in two government institutions and assess the impact of ISO/IEC 17025 implementation. Both primary and secondary data were used in this research paper. The approach used to gather primary data was both qualitative and quantitative. Secondary data was generated through a literature search on accreditation. Four sections of questionnaires and face to face interview were designed to meet the research objectives. Data was collected from two accredited government laboratories, the Ethiopian Conformity Assessment Enterprise (ECAE)and the Ethiopian National Metrology Institute of (ENMI). The findings showed that although accreditation was a lengthy process, bureaucratic, as well as involving substantial investment for equipment, supplies, consultant and assessors, all respondents valued accreditation since it helped them to improve their laboratory operations and fulfill their customers' expectations. The study further revealed that accreditation has had a positive impact on laboratory processes and has improved the level of competitive advantage, prevent retesting problems, An effective marketing tool , market share, customer trust. Moreover, the majority agreed that there was a better communication from management and they were satisfied to work in an accredited laboratory. Major obstacles encountered, during implementation and maintenance of accreditation, by the laboratories were lack of suppliers of calibrated equipment, nonexistence of enough accredited metrology laboratories for calibration of equipment, and unavailability of proficiency testing and CRM providers, choice of accreditation body and its cost. Feasible recommendations were made to address the potential barriers to accreditation. The most pressing ones being that calibration laboratories must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 at the earliest to boost national awareness on the economic and social benefits of accreditation and there should be an alternative accredited testing and calibration body in the country.