RT-01 Conditions and Administrative Requirements for the Recognition of Test Results from ISO 17025 Accredited Test Facilities

January 25, 2007

Table of Contents

Authorization

Section 9, subsection 4, of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act stipulates that no meter shall be verified pursuant to the said Act until it or the class, type or design of meter to which it belongs has received Measurement Canada approval.

In making an application for approval, as per section 13 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, an applicant may submit test results from a test facility that is recognized by Measurement Canada.

This document has been produced under the authority of the President of Measurement Canada and sets out the conditions for the recognition of approval test results from ISO 17025 accredited test facilities.

Issued: January 25, 2007

Revision Process

This document will be periodically reviewed by Measurement Canada to ensure its effectiveness with respect to its objectives. A revisions table will be provided with each revision of this document.

Introduction

Measurement Canada has developed the Recognition of Test Results from ISO 17025 Accredited Test Facilities Program (hereinafter referred to as the "Program") in order to provide more flexibility to approval applicants wishing to submit test results from such facilities with a view to reducing their approval turn around times.

1.0 Scope

This document contains the conditions and administrative requirements for the recognition by Measurement Canada of tests performed by test facilities accredited to ISO 17025.

The scope of the Program is presently limited to the testing of previously approved electricity meters which have been modified and are being re-submitted for approval purposes.

1.1 Limitations

This recognition does not delegate or confer any legal authority upon the operator of the test facility to approve meters pursuant to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act (EGIA).

2.0 Eligibility

Under the Program all test facilities must:

  1. be accredited to ISO 17025, for a scope that includes the testing of electricity meters for measurement accuracy, by an institution which is recognized by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) to which the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) is a signatory member, and includes facilities which are accredited under the Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (CLAS) program in Canada and National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation (NVLAP) in the United States of America;
  2. maintain the accreditation specified in subsection 2.0 (a) in good standing;
  3. participate in proficiency testing as requested by Measurement Canada; and
  4. comply with all additional Measurement Canada conditions established in this document, as may be amended from time to time.

3.0 Definitions

The definitions set out in the following documents shall apply to this document:

  • Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and Regulations;
  • LMB-EG-07, Measurement Canada Specification for Approval of Type of Electricity Meters, Instrument Transformers and Auxiliary Devices
Program:

means the Recognition of Test Results from ISO 17025 Accredited Test Facilities Program.

Traceability:

Property of the result of a measurement or the value of a standard whereby it can be related to stated references, usually national or international standard, through an unbroken chain of comparisons all having stated uncertainties.

4.0 Responsibilities

4.1 Measurement Canada

Measurement Canada shall:

  1. establish and publish the conditions and procedures for the Program;
  2. assist interested test facilities in acquiring and interpreting information relevant to the Program;
  3. evaluate the information provided by the test facilities which pertains to the specific conditions and criteria contained in this document;
  4. review and evaluate test results submitted by the test facilities and inform the test facilities of any deficiencies;
  5. report the results of any evaluations to the test facilities concerned;
  6. publish and maintain a list of test facilities that meet the Program's conditions; and
  7. advise, through public notification, of the suspension and/or withdrawal of the recognition of test facilities under the Program.

4.2 Test Facilities

In addition to the eligibility criteria stipulated in section 2.0 of this document, test facilities shall:

  1. not out source any testing, the results of which will be submitted to Measurement Canada, unless agreed to by Measurement Canada in advance;
  2. provide Measurement Canada representatives with access to the premises and measuring equipment for the purposes of evaluating the information provided by the test facility as it pertains to the specific conditions and criteria of this Program;
  3. provide test results in the format and manner specified by the Program;
  4. ensure the confidentiality of the results of any tests conducted for the purpose of Measurement Canada approval;
  5. report immediately to Measurement Canada any changes in their ISO 17025 accreditation, their processes, or measuring and test equipment that would affect compliance with the Program; and
  6. provide no preferential treatment and show no bias to or against clients, make no misrepresentation in relation to the Program or their participation therein and make no unauthorized use of Measurement Canada logo or information.

5.0 Information to be Submitted by Test Facilities

Test facilities seeking to be recognized by Measurement Canada must submit a written expression of interest, addressing all of the requirements of this Program, to Measurement Canada. This same directorate may also be contacted by interested test facilities for clarifications or assistance regarding this Program.

In addition to the information required in sections 5.1 to 5.4 below, test facilities seeking to be recognized by Measurement Canada to provide test results shall supply the following information:

  1. name and address of the test facility and name, address, telephone number, and email address of the contact person;
  2. the scope of the test facility's ISO 17025 accreditation and name of the accrediting body;
  3. the scope for which Measurement Canada recognition is being sought;
  4. a copy of the last ISO 17025 external audit report; and
  5. any specific technical information requested by Measurement Canada as it relates to this Program.

5.1 Design and Construction of Test Equipment

The test facility shall submit information related to all of the test equipment, used to obtain meter test results. As a minimum for each test equipment, the manufacturer's name, model type, and specifications relevant to all test processes shall be provided. Measurement Canada may also request additional information as deemed necessary related to design and construction of all test equipment as well as operations manuals.

5.2 Measuring and Test Equipment Traceability

The test facility shall submit sufficient information to demonstrate traceability to a relevant national standard.

5.3 Measurement Uncertainty

The test facility shall provide a statement of its overall measurement uncertainty and the methods used in its determination.

5.4 Technical Procedures

The test facility shall submit copies of the test procedures used to test meters.

6.0 Evaluation Process

Measurement Canada will perform a technical evaluation in order to assess the test facility's ability to provide the test data under this Program. This evaluation may involve a documentation review and on-site technical review conducted by Measurement Canada.

Measurement Canada's evaluation process will focus on the technical capabilities of the test facility.

7.0 Recognition of Test Facilities

Once a test facility is recognized by Measurement Canada, its name will appear on Measurement Canada's List of Recognized Test Facilities that meet the Program's conditions.

8.0 Monitoring of Recognized Test Facilities

Measurement Canada will monitor a recognized test facility's performance and will determine whether or not to continue recognizing the test facility based upon the results of the review. Measurement Canada may perform on-site audits as part of the evaluation and monitoring of recognized test facilities.

The suitability of Measurement Canada's recognition process and requirements will be periodically evaluated for effectiveness and may be modified or discontinued as necessary. Recognized test facilities must be prepared to update processes and procedures to meet any changes in Measurement Canada requirements.

Requirements may be technical or administrative. Test facilities may, in future, be required to fulfill additional quality system or technical requirements as Measurement Canada adjusts its recognition program.

9.0 Test Reports from Recognized Test Facilities

Test facilities shall utilize a test report format that includes the following information:

  1. a title (e.g. "Test Report");
  2. name and address of the test facility and location where the tests were carried out, if different from the address of the test facility;
  3. unique identification of the test report (such as a serial number), and on each page an identification in order to ensure that the page is recognized as part of the test report;
  4. the name and address of the organization that owns the meter and that has requested the testing (e.g. the Measurement Canada approval applicant);
  5. a description and identification of the meter that was tested, including the serial numbers of all controlled components, where required;
  6. the date(s) that the testing took place;
  7. test results with the units of measurement, including all details necessary to demonstrate that Measurement Canada's metrological performance requirements have been assessed;
  8. identification of the test procedure(s) followed and any installed meter accessories or influencing components, as may be applicable;
  9. the stated uncertainty (at the 95 percent confidence interval) associated with the test results and an indication of any factors not included in the estimate of uncertainty; and
  10. a statement confirming that the device under test was not modified during the course of the tests.

10.0 Device Under Test

For the purposes of recognition of test results, the test plan identified by Measurement Canada must be followed by the test facility.

The tests identified in the test plan must be conducted without any modification to the metrological parameters of the device under test. In the event that a modification to the device is necessary, all the tests identified in the test plan must be performed again after the modification is made.

The integrity of the metrological parameters of the device under test must be protected through appropriate sealing. The sealing mechanism must remain on the device following the conduct of the tests.