Varied approaches for reviewing the new standard

Confusion and frustration hampering a rapid transition to the new standard can also be attributed to users' backgrounds or perspectives. Accordingly, different action plans for reviewing the standard might be beneficial.

• User’s familiar with ISO 9001:2000 but not with ISO/IEC 17025:1999 might be confused initially by ISO/IEC 17025:2005's consolidation of most management system items under clause 4 and technical considerations under clause 5. This works quite well with a modular-model approach, once familiarity with the standard is established. However, because ISO/IEC 17025:2005 doesn't fully embrace the process-model approach (including the plan-do-check-act cycle, eight management principles or other concepts found in ISO 9001), it's a waste of time trying to find them. Users would be better served by simply studying ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and knowing that much of the terminology in clause 4, and all of it in clause 5, is based on ISO/IEC 17000 and the Vocabulary International--Metrology (VIM). Neither of these documents, however, is listed in the ISO/IEC 17025 bibliography, nor are versions cited.
• Users unfamiliar with ISO/IEC 17025:1999 or ISO 9001:2000 will make the most effective progress through a combination of the above-mentioned recommendations. Read the new document without trying to link it fully to ISO 9001:2000's concepts or structure, and review information from accreditors.