Search
US
  • Products
  • Markets
  • IIoT & Solutions
  • Company
  • Resources
  • Supply Chain Software
  • my ifm
  1. Calibration services
  2. Scope of ifm calibration

ifm's scope of calibration

ifm’s calibration laboratory offers ISO and A2LA calibrations. With the exception of free factory certificates, all calibration certificates must be ordered at the time the sensors are ordered. One certificate per sensors is required.

 

ISO calibration

An ISO calibration may only be performed by laboratories with a certified quality assurance system according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015.

This is the only way we can offer you high quality calibrations.

The measuring equipment used for calibration are regularly recalibrated and traceable to the national standard of the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) or other national standards.

What is documented in our ISO calibration certificates?

  • Identification (object, manufacturer, type and serial number, customer, calibration certificate no., date, signature)
  • Clear description of the calibration standard used
  • Description of the ambient conditions
  • Description of the measuring equipment and the calibration procedure
  • All measuring results, by specifying the measuring points, unit and uncertainty
  • Remarks on the calibration results

ifm offers ISO calibration documents for pressure, flow, temperature, analytical, and vibration sensors.

A2LA calibration

Like the DAkkS in Germany, the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) is the national institute for the accreditation of calibration laboratories in the United States.

Calibrations from A2LA-accredited laboratories are traceable to the NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the UnitedStates. Consequently, an A2LA calibration leads to internationally accepted measuring results.

ifm offers A2LA calibration documents for temperature sensors.

Comparison of the certificates
  Factory certificate ISO calibration DAkkS/A2LA calibration
Certificate with accuracy
Traceability to standards
Yes, to national / international standards
Declaration of conformity
Depending on the provider
Yes, documented by accreditation
Description of conditions Calibration standard, ambient conditions Detailed: standard, ambient conditions, device marking Like ISO, additionally documented according to ISO/IEC 17025 or A2LA
Assessment of the results
No complete assessment
Yes – based on standardised criteria
Yes – including uncertainty calculation according to international standards
National validity Nationally valid
(restricted)		 Nationally recognised
(e.g. for ISO 9001)		 Internationally recognised
(e.g. for FDA, ISO/IEC, international approvals)
Calibration options Directly upon purchase,
automatically available		 Optionally at the time of purchase or subsequently as a service,
on site		 Optionally at the time of purchase or via accredited calibration laboratories,
on site
Particularities Quickly available, but no traceability Traceable calibration with detailed documentation Highest standard, internationally recognised
Effort Low Medium High
(due to strict documentation and testing standards)
Delivery time Immediately available
(e.g. download from website)		 Up to 10 working days Up to 15 working days
Costs (approximate)
(usually included free of charge with purchase)
(depending on the device and scope of standards)
(highest costs, but also highest quality and legal certainty)
Those who are regularly audited benefit in particular from calibrations certified according to ISO or DAkkS. Factory certificates are often sufficient for simple applications. It is important to base your selection on the application area and standard requirements.