Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why Integration Matters More Than You Think

Here’s what I’ve noticed after working with PT providers, labs, and quality managers for years.
Most organisations already have ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 9001 in place before they even think about ISO/IEC 17043. Then they panic.

They assume ISO/IEC 17043 means starting from scratch.
It doesn’t.

The real challenge isn’t compliance. It’s alignment.
If you integrate these standards properly, you reduce duplication, simplify audits, and make your system easier to run day-to-day.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to integrate ISO/IEC 17043 with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 in a practical, auditor-friendly way—based on what actually works in real organisations.

Understanding the Overlap Between ISO/IEC 17043, ISO/IEC 17025, and ISO 9001

This is important because these standards already speak the same language.

At their core, all three focus on:

• Competence
• Consistency
• Impartiality
• Documented control
• Continuous improvement

ISO 9001 gives you the management system backbone.
ISO/IEC 17025 adds technical competence and laboratory rigor.
ISO/IEC 17043 builds on both, focusing on proficiency testing design, evaluation, and reporting.

Once you see this overlap, integration stops feeling overwhelming.

Pro Tip:
Auditors don’t expect three separate systems. They expect one system with clear links.

Common mistake:
Copy-pasting clauses into separate manuals. This creates confusion fast.

Mapping ISO/IEC 17043 Requirements to ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 Clauses

Now that we covered the big picture, let’s get practical.

The smartest way to integrate is through clause mapping.

For example:

• Document control under ISO 9001 aligns directly with document control in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17043.
• Competence and training requirements flow naturally from ISO 9001 → ISO/IEC 17025 → ISO/IEC 17043.
• Risk-based thinking in ISO 9001 supports impartiality and confidentiality risks under ISO/IEC 17043.

When I work with clients, we build a simple matrix showing:

• One requirement
• One procedure
• Multiple standards satisfied

Auditors love this because it shows intent, not just paperwork.

Pro Tip:
A single clause-mapping table can save hours during accreditation assessments.

Building a Unified Management System (One Set of Processes, Not Three)

Here’s where integration either succeeds or falls apart.

You should have:

• One document-control procedure
• One internal-audit programme
• One management-review process
• One corrective-action system

These processes then reference all applicable standards, instead of being duplicated.

I’ve seen organisations fail audits not because they lacked procedures, but because they had too many conflicting ones.

Real-world insight:
One PT provider reduced their internal audit workload by 40% just by merging audit schedules across standards.

Integrating Technical Processes: PT Schemes, Testing, and Data Evaluation

This is where ISO/IEC 17043 adds its own flavour.

Your ISO/IEC 17025 technical controls—method validation, traceability, equipment control—can directly support:

• PT item preparation
• Homogeneity and stability testing
• Assigned value determination

The key is clarity.
Auditors want to see who does what, under which role, and using which controls.

Common pitfall:
Treating PT statistical analysis as separate from lab quality controls. It shouldn’t be.

Aligning Competence, Training, and Authorization Across Standards

In my experience, this is one of the easiest wins—and one of the most overlooked.

ISO 9001 already requires competence.
ISO/IEC 17025 defines it more tightly.
ISO/IEC 17043 extends it to PT coordinators, statisticians, and scheme designers.

Instead of three training systems, build:

• One competence matrix
• One authorization process
• One training record set

Then clearly link roles to:

• Laboratory activities
• PT scheme responsibilities
• Statistical evaluation tasks

Pro Tip:
Auditors often interview staff. A clear competence matrix prevents awkward gaps.

Preparing for Integrated Audits and Assessments

Now that everything’s integrated, audits become much simpler.

You can:

• Run combined internal audits
• Hold one management review covering all standards
• Address nonconformities through a single CAPA process

What matters most is being able to explain your system clearly.

If your team understands how the standards fit together, auditors usually follow your lead.

Common mistake:
Over-explaining clauses instead of explaining processes. Auditors care about how work flows.

FAQs: Integrating ISO/IEC 17043 with Other Standards

Can I integrate ISO/IEC 17043 if I only have ISO 9001?
Yes. ISO 9001 provides a solid base, but you’ll need to add technical and competence controls specific to PT activities.

Do accreditation bodies accept integrated systems?
Absolutely. Most prefer them, as long as responsibilities and controls are clear.

Will integration reduce audit time?
In most cases, yes. Fewer duplicated processes usually mean shorter, smoother assessments.

Conclusion: Integration Is a Strategic Advantage

Here’s the bottom line.

Integrating ISO/IEC 17043 with ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 isn’t about ticking more boxes.
It’s about running one efficient, credible system that actually supports your work.

When done right, integration:

• Reduces workload
• Improves audit outcomes
• Builds confidence with customers and regulators