FAQs

A2LA Accredited ilac-MRAA2LA Accredited

Toll Free: (866) 466-6225     Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Do you have questions? InnoCal has answers. Please see the list of Frequently Asked Questions below. If your question isn't below, please don't hesitate to contact us


What is the process for getting my equipment recalibrated?

Can I purchase new equipment from you with a calibration certificate included?

Can I view and retrieve my calibration certificate on your Web site?

What is the typical turnaround time for equipment calibrated in your metrology lab?

Are any of your standard calibration services subcontracted?

Is there a minimum fee for onsite calibrations?

Will you remind me when my equipment is due for recalibration?

Can you recommend a calibration interval?  Can I extend my calibration interval?

Are you traceable to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)?

What levels/tiers of service do you offer?

Why do I need as-found data?

Can you provide NIST numbers for your standards used during my calibrations?

Why do I need measurement uncertainties on my calibration certificate?


 

What is the process for getting my equipment recalibrated?

A.      Contact us by e-mail (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or call 1-866-INNOCAL (1-866-466-6225) to get a quote. We’ll also provide a service return number and service forms for you to use when sending in your equipment. 

Once we receive your assets, we will send you a receipt confirmation by e-mail. We then review the contract and start calibrating your equipment. Our highly trained technicians complete their work which is then assessed by a Quality Reviewer. We carefully package the equipment and send you an e-mail confirming the shipment back to you, including the tracking number.  

 

Can I purchase new equipment from you with a calibration certificate included?

A.      Absolutely! Because of our relationship with Cole-Parmer and Davis Instruments, we can provide access to all of the major brands of test and measurement equipment. Most of the popular models are in stock and delivered to the lab the same day. We will test the instrument against the manufacturer’s specifications and include the NIST-traceable certificate with the item upon delivery. You will be able to use the unit immediately while still meeting your quality and regulatory requirements.    

 

Can I view and retrieve my calibration certificate on your Web site?

A.      Sure. Our InnoTrak software provides 24/7 access to the original calibration certificate. This way, you can always be in compliance and easily produce your certificate for an auditor, even if it isn’t in your files.      

 

What is the typical turnaround time for equipment calibrated in your metrology lab?

A.     Once we receive the equipment, our standard turnaround is five business days for most items. We can also provide an expedited service of three business days or less, if required, for a nominal fee.  

   

   Are any of your standard calibration services subcontracted?

A.      None of our standard services are subcontracted. We maintain a huge fleet of calibration equipment and employ highly trained metrology technicians who are qualified to perform all the necessary measurements for your equipment.

However, we understand and support the desire for our customers to consolidate their services to a limited number of approved and trusted vendors. We will happily subcontract services outside of our normal parameters to a vendor on our ISO17025-compliant approved vendors list or one of your choosing. 

 

6.        Is there a minimum fee for onsite calibrations?

A.      Each onsite engagement is quoted individually, based on the amount and type of equipment requiring calibration. We do our best to minimize your overall costs while still designing a program that meets your needs.  

 

7.         Will you remind me when my equipment is due for recalibration?

A.      Yes, we send out a reminder by mail one month ahead your recalibration due date. If you have provided your e-mail address, we will also send an e-mail reminder at that time. The recalibration letter contains information regarding the assets coming due (including serial number, manufacturer, model description and your asset numbers). It also includes information on how to set up the recalibration on your equipment.  

 

8.         Can you recommend a calibration interval?  Can I extend my calibration interval?

A.      The ISO17025 standard limits our ability to recommend calibration intervals for our customers. Section 5.10.4.4 of the ISO17025 standard states: 

"A calibration certificate (or label) shall not contain any recommendation on the calibration interval except where this has been agreed with the client. This requirement may be superseded by legal regulations." 

For non-accredited certificates, InnoCal provides a one-year calibration interval by default as a convenience to our customers. This is based on typical industry standards (unless your requirements dictate otherwise). For accredited certificates, the due date will be blank unless you request a specific interval on your purchase order.   

We welcome you to extend your calibration interval as allowed and appropriate within your quality system. We are happy to issue an amended certificate with an updated calibration due date if requested. Ultimately, you own the calibration due date and we are pleased to comply with your needs today or with any future changes.  

 

9.        Are you traceable to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST)?

A.      All of our standards are calibrated to national standards, primarily maintained by NIST. We only use ISO17025 accredited laboratories providing accredited calibration certificates for our equipment to ensure an unbroken traceability chain.  

All of our certificates include the statement “Measurements reported herein are traceable to SI units via national standards maintained by NIST” and contain measurement uncertainty to transfer NIST traceability to your equipment.  

 

1        What levels/tiers of service do you offer?

A.      We keep it simple by offering only two levels of service. All calibrations performed by InnoCal, and certificates provided, are ISO17025 and ANSI Z540.1 compliant by including all necessary data elements. Some other labs cut corners by providing lower level certificates. Our philosophy is to provide highest level of certificate while still keeping our costs the same as the other labs' limited certificates.  

For a nominal fee, we are happy to include the A2LA logo on the calibration certificate for any measurements included on our scope of accreditation.  

 

1         Why do I need as-found data?

A.     The purpose of calibrating your equipment is to ensure that it is reading and operating correctly for your important measurements. Unfortunately, electronic components drift and mechanical components age in all test equipment, putting the accuracy of your equipment in question. Setting an appropriate calibration interval can minimize this risk. 

To be sure that your equipment has maintained its accuracy throughout the calibration interval, we always recommend that recalibration certificates include as-found data. This is the condition the equipment was found in before adjustments and will tell you if there are any concerns during your tests. Many customers rely on this data in case of recall analysis or quality problems. Some customers have adopted the practice of purchasing new, mass-calibrated equipment when an existing asset’s calibration interval has expired. However, this practice exposes the company to risk since you are not able to confirm that critical measurement equipment maintained its accuracy throughout the full use period. 

 

1        Can you provide NIST numbers for your standards used during my calibrations?

A.      In short, InnoCal does not provide NIST numbers for our standards. The use of NIST numbers as evidence of traceability is specifically rebuffed by A2LA (InnoCal’s accrediting body) and NIST itself. More information regarding the positions of these two organizations can be found on InnoCal’s white paper regarding NIST numbers. 

We recognize that some ISO9001-accrediting bodies have incorrectly added requirements related to NIST numbers for calibration certificates. NCSLI also notes that international standards such as ISO 900X, ISO Guide 25 (ISO17025), ISO10012, and ANSI/NCSL Z540.1 do not require the use or reporting of NIST test report numbers. We encourage you to share our white paper on this subject with your auditor. We do provide the asset number and measurement uncertainty as required by A2LA to establish traceability with national standards. Most auditors have been willing to accept InnoCal’s asset number in lieu of a NIST number. We are happy to discuss any of InnoCal’s certificates with your auditor to help him or her understand our traceability chain and provide additional information as required.   

 

1        Why do I need measurement uncertainties on my calibration certificate?

A.      Measurement uncertainty is a lab’s estimate of the cumulative contribution of the various factors that add uncertainty to the measurement, such as inaccuracy of the standard, display resolution, environmental factors, and operator error. A2LA and other accrediting bodies only recognize NIST traceability through the accumulating of measurement uncertainty through the traceability chain. 

If your equipment is being used to translate the traceability chain to other equipment, you’ll need the measurement uncertainty from your calibration lab provided on the calibration certificate.  

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