Calibration and Verification are commonly used across many scientific disciplines and industries with varied yet similar meanings. In addition, the connotation of the two terms have changed and evolved over time. So closely related, these terms are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Please click on these Calibration and Verification links for an explanation of the two terms and how they inter-relate.
Importance of Calibration and Verification
Regular calibration of your testing equipment will build a history of its performance, providing you with important information such as measurement consistency, error, and drift. Verification allows you to know the acceptability of your results against expectations and whether there is a need for further actions to be taken concerning your processes, such as adjustment. Regular calibration and verification, even on those testing systems that are in proper condition, are important and provides you and your customers with the confidence that your systems and processes are in control.
Calibrations in accordance with ASTM and ISO standards (eg. ASTM E4 and ISO 7500-1) provide a considerable amount of detailed metrological data in addition to the basic PASS/FAIL or grading statements. Although some of this information may not appear to be immediately useful to those performing the day-to-day testing, it can have considerable value to design, quality, safety, and environmental authorities that are using the testing data.