Multicriteria conceptual framework for maturity assessment of testing and calibration laboratories based on the ISO/IEC 17025: 2017 standard

Authors

  • David Correa Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21014/actaimeko.v15i3.2037

Keywords:

testing and calibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard, accreditation, maturity model, multicriteria decision-making methods

Abstract

This study presents a novel multicriteria framework for assessing the maturity of testing and calibration laboratories in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements. The research methodology comprised a systematic literature review spanning 2010–2023, followed by the development of an analytical framework integrating the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) for weighting standard requirements and the Importance–Performance Analysis (IPA) for maturity assessment. The framework's empirical validation was conducted at the Brazilian Army Evaluation Center (CAEx) to evaluate laboratory compliance capabilities vis-à-vis the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements regarding competence, impartiality, and operational consistency. The validation process involved senior laboratory managers and resulted in quantitative maturity assessments across standard requirements, enabling the identification of critical improvement areas and the development of targeted action plans for accreditation preparation. The primary contribution of this study is a comprehensive assessment framework that provides testing and calibration laboratories with robust decision-making support for accreditation processes. The empirical validation demonstrated the effectiveness of the framework in identifying critical compliance gaps and prioritizing improvement initiatives. This methodological advancement is a significant contribution to the field of laboratory quality management.

Author Biography

David Correa , Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

Mr. Correa holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Pará (2006), an  M.Sc. degree in Metrology from PUC-Rio (2021). He currently serves as an Engineer in the Brazilian Army. His expertise includes Defense-related work in Conformity Assessment of Army-Controlled Products, Direct and Indirect Expansion Air Conditioning System Projects, and he delivers lectures in the field of Occupational Safety Engineering.

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Published

2026-08-18

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2026 David Correa , Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida

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