Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Understanding ISO 17034 Mandatory Procedures

When I first started helping Reference Material Producers (RMPs) prepare for ISO 17034 accreditation, one of the biggest questions was always the same:

“Which procedures are actually mandatory?”

And honestly, that confusion makes sense. The standard isn’t exactly written in plain English, and it cross-references ISO/IEC 17025 more often than most people expect.

Here’s the good news — once you understand how ISO 17034 structures its requirements, it’s not overwhelming. What you really need is a clear list of required procedures, matched with what assessors expect to see.

That’s what we’ll unpack here. You’ll walk away knowing:

• Which ISO 17034 procedures are mandatory.
• How to document them efficiently.
• The common mistakes RMPs make during accreditation audits.
• And how to integrate them with ISO/IEC 17025 for smoother compliance.

I’ll also share a few insights from real clients — because theory’s great, but practical experience saves you the headaches.

Procedure Framework: The Foundation of ISO 17034 Compliance

ISO 17034 isn’t just about producing reference materials — it’s about proving you can do it consistently and competently. And consistency starts with documented procedures.

Here’s what I’ve noticed: many RMPs treat procedures like a paperwork task instead of a control mechanism. That’s a costly mistake. Procedures are your roadmap — they tell your team exactly how to operate in line with the standard.

Each ISO 17034 clause connects to a process:

• Clauses 4–7 cover management system elements.
• Clauses 8–12 dive into the technical operations.

If you’re already familiar with ISO/IEC 17025 or ISO 9001, the logic will feel familiar — document what you do, do what you documented, and prove it with records.

Pro Tip: Start your implementation by mapping each clause to a real process in your workflow. That visual link helps you decide which procedures are truly needed.

Pitfall: Don’t confuse records with procedures. Records show evidence of work done; procedures explain how it’s done.

Core ISO 17034 Mandatory Procedures (Clause-Based List)

Let’s break down what assessors expect to see documented in every accredited RMP.

1. Management System Procedures

These ensure your QMS runs smoothly:

• Document control – how you approve, revise, and distribute documents.
• Record control – how you store and retrieve records.
• Management review – meeting frequency, inputs, and outputs.
• Internal audits – scheduling, conducting, and reporting.
• Corrective and preventive action – identifying root causes and tracking effectiveness.

Pro Tip: Keep your management procedures lean. Long, repetitive texts confuse staff — and auditors.

2. Technical & Production Procedures

These cover how your reference materials are produced, tested, and maintained:

• Homogeneity testing – ensuring uniformity across units.
• Stability testing – confirming the material’s value remains valid over time.
• Value assignment – defining how reference values are determined.
• Uncertainty estimation – documenting the method for quantifying measurement uncertainty.
• Metrological traceability – linking results to recognized standards.
• Handling, storage, and distribution – ensuring conditions preserve material integrity.

In one project, a client had separate documents for each test. We simplified everything into a single controlled “Testing Procedure” with annexes. Not only did it save time, but auditors praised the clarity.

3. Competence & Training Procedures

You can’t meet ISO 17034 without competent personnel. That’s why you need procedures covering:

• Training and qualification – how competence is established.
• Authorization – who approves staff to perform specific tasks.
• Monitoring competence – ensuring skills remain current.

Pitfall: Many RMPs overlook authorization — they assume “trained” equals “approved.” Auditors will check for documented proof of both.

Risk-Based Approach to Procedure Development

ISO 17034 embraces the same risk-based thinking found in ISO 9001. That means you should identify which activities pose risks to quality or traceability — and create procedures that control them.

For example, if temperature fluctuations could affect material stability, you’ll need a storage-monitoring procedure.

But if an activity has minimal risk, a simple work instruction might be enough.

Pro Tip: Build a “Procedure Matrix.” List your risks in one column, the controlling procedure in another. Auditors love this because it demonstrates logical thinking, not checkbox compliance.

Common mistake: Writing procedures for every possible scenario — that only clutters your QMS and frustrates staff.

Integrating ISO 17034 with ISO/IEC 17025

Most RMPs already perform testing or calibration under ISO/IEC 17025. The smart move is to integrate your procedures — not duplicate them.

Here’s an example:

Overlapping Area	ISO 17034 Reference	ISO/IEC 17025 Reference	Integration Note
Metrological Traceability	Clause 8.2	Clause 6.5	Use one unified Traceability Procedure.
Equipment Calibration	Clause 8.5	Clause 6.4	Cross-reference calibration methods.
Data Management	Clause 9.3	Clause 7.11	Merge into one “Data Integrity” procedure.

In one dual-standard implementation I led, combining documents reduced audit man-days by 30%. Less duplication, fewer headaches.

Pro Tip: Include both standards in your document headers — for instance, “Procedure for Calibration (ISO 17034 §8.5 / ISO 17025 §6.4)”. It signals integration and saves time explaining your structure.

Writing, Reviewing, and Controlling ISO 17034 Procedures

Writing procedures isn’t just about compliance — it’s about communication. Every procedure should clearly define:

• Purpose and scope
• Responsibilities
• Step-by-step method
• Required records
• References

Pro Tip: Use a consistent template. When all your documents follow the same structure, your team can find information faster, and auditors gain confidence in your system.

Here’s what I’ve seen go wrong: organizations update a procedure but forget to adjust related work instructions. That creates gaps during audits.

Example of a clean header:

Procedure Title: Homogeneity Testing
Document ID: RMP-PROC-08
Version: 2.0
References: ISO 17034 §8.4; ISO/IEC 17025 §7.7

That’s clarity auditors appreciate.

Continuous Improvement of Mandatory Procedures

Your procedures aren’t static — they evolve. Internal audits, feedback, and management reviews are your best friends for continual improvement.

Pro Tip: Keep a “Procedure Review Log.” Include review dates, improvement notes, and who approved changes. It’s simple, but it shows you’re managing your QMS proactively.

In my experience, RMPs that review procedures quarterly, not just annually, catch small issues before they turn into nonconformities.

This mindset turns compliance into culture — and that’s what accreditation bodies value most.

FAQs: ISO 17034 Mandatory Procedures

Q1: How many procedures are mandatory under ISO 17034?
There’s no official number, but most RMPs end up with around 12–20 core procedures, depending on scope and complexity.

Q2: Can I merge ISO 17025 and ISO 17034 procedures?
Yes — in fact, it’s encouraged if you operate both systems. Just make sure you clearly reference both clauses in the merged documents.

Q3: How do I show auditors I’ve covered all required procedures?
Create a Clause-Procedure Matrix. It’s a single page linking ISO 17034 clauses to your documented procedures — an instant credibility booster.

Conclusion: Your Next Step Toward ISO 17034 Readiness

Strong procedures are the backbone of every accredited Reference Material Producer. They’re what transform compliance from a checklist into a repeatable system.

If you’re building or updating your ISO 17034 documentation, you don’t have to start from scratch.

At QSE Academy, we’ve helped dozens of RMPs create complete, audit-ready procedure sets — customized to their scope and budget.

Your next step:
Download our ISO 17034 Mandatory Procedures Toolkit, or
Book a consultation call to get tailored guidance for your RMP.

Accreditation starts with clarity — and this list gets you there faster.