Commercial of the shelf software
Software commercially available, whose fitness for use is demonstrated by a broad spectrum of users.
Competence
For a laboratory, the demonstrated ability to perform the tests or calibrations within the accreditation scope and to meet other criteria established by the accreditation body.
Confidence interval
A range of values that is expected to contain the true value of the parameter being evaluated with a specified level of confidence.
Correction (of error)
A correction is the value that is added to the raw result of a measurement to compensate for known or estimated systematic error or bias.
Corrective action
Corrective action is something done to correct a nonconformance when it arises, including actions taken to prevent reoccurrence of the nonconformance.
Coverage factor
A numerical factor used as a multiplier of the combined standard uncertainty in order to obtain an expanded uncertainty.
Deficiency
Nonfulfillment of conditions and/or criteria for accreditation, sometimes referred to as a nonconformance.
Departure value
A term used by a few calibration laboratories to refer to bias, error or systematic error.
Equivalence
Acceptance of the competence of other national metrology institutes (NMI), accreditation bodies, and/or accredited organizations in other countries as being essentially equal to the NMI, accreditation body, and/or accredited organizations within the host country.
Error (of measurement)
In metrology, error (or measurement error) is an estimate of the difference between the measured value and the probable true value of the object of the measurement.
Gage R&R
Gage repeatability and reproducibility study
GUM
An acronym commonly used to identify the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement.
IM&TE
The acronym IM&TE refers to inspection, measuring, and test equipment.
Interlaboratory comparison
Organization, performance, and evaluation of tests or calibrations on the same or similar items or materials by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions.
Internal audit
A systematic and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to verify that a laboratory’s operations comply with the requirements of its quality system.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
An international nongovernmental organization chartered by the United Nations in 1947, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
International System of Units (SI)
A defined and coherent system of units adopted and used by international treaties.
ISO
The International Organization for Standardization
IT Infrastructure
The hardware and software such as networking software and operation systems, which makes it possible for the application to function.
Level of confidence
Defines an interval about the measurement result that encompasses a large fraction p of the probability distribution characterized by that result and its combined standard uncertainty, and p is the coverage probability or level of confidence of the interval