ISO/IEC 17025

Plain language

The accreditation that separates a 'real' lab from a 'we did some tests' lab. If a COA names the testing lab and the lab is ISO 17025-accredited, the result is structurally more trustworthy than one from an unnamed or unaccredited lab.

Definition

ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, jointly issued by the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. Accreditation under this standard requires documented quality systems, validated test methods, traceable calibration, and periodic external audits. Eurofins, Alkemist Labs, and most reputable third-party supplement testing labs operate under ISO 17025 accreditation.

Related terms

• Certificate of Analysis (COA) Lab report on a specific batch of a specific product. Confirms active fraction, heavy metals, and microbial counts.
• USP Verified Voluntary US Pharmacopeia program that audits supplement label accuracy, contaminants, and manufacturing practices.
• NSF Certified Independent product certification for label accuracy, contaminants, and (for the Sport variant) banned-substances screening.

References

• ISO/IEC 17025 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories