Last Updated on December 19, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

Why Clause 6 Is Where “We’re Fine” Stops Working

Here’s what I’ve noticed with PT providers preparing for accreditation:
Most feel confident about their technical knowledge. Fewer feel confident when assessors start asking about resources.

Clause 6 is where assumptions get tested.

Assessors don’t just want to know what you do.
They want to know:

• Who is competent to do it
• Whether they’re authorized
• Whether the facilities, equipment, and external support are actually fit for purpose

This article breaks Clause 6 down into real-world expectations—what assessors check, what commonly goes wrong, and how to demonstrate compliance without drowning in paperwork.

Personnel Competence Requirements Under ISO/IEC 17043 Clause 6.1

Competence is more than having a strong CV.

Clause 6.1 expects PT providers to define and demonstrate competence for roles such as:

• Scheme designers
• PT coordinators
• Data analysts
• Technical reviewers

In my experience, assessors are less interested in titles and more interested in capability.

They’ll ask:
“How do you know this person is competent for this specific PT activity?”

That’s the key point.

Pro tip:
Link competence directly to PT tasks. Don’t rely on general qualifications alone.

Common mistake:
Assuming technical expertise automatically equals PT competence. PT design and evaluation are skills of their own.

Training, Authorization, and Ongoing Competence Management for PT Personnel

Initial training is only the starting point.

Clause 6 expects you to:

• Train personnel
• Authorize them for specific tasks
• Monitor ongoing competence

I’ve seen assessors ask simple but powerful questions:
“When was this person last reviewed?”
“Who authorized them to perform this task?”

If there’s no clear answer, it becomes a finding.

Good practice includes:

• Role-based authorization
• Periodic reviews
• Evidence of continued competence

Pro tip:
Authorization doesn’t need to be complex. A clear record showing who can do what goes a long way.

Common pitfall:
Training records that exist, but aren’t linked to authorization or performance.

Facilities and Environmental Conditions for Proficiency-Testing Providers

This is where PT providers often say,
“We don’t test, so facilities don’t matter.”

Assessors don’t agree.

Clause 6 looks at whether your facilities are suitable for your PT activities, including:

• Sample preparation
• Packaging and storage
• Data handling

Environmental conditions matter if they can affect:

• Sample integrity
• Homogeneity or stability
• Data reliability

Real-world example:
I’ve seen findings raised simply because temperature-sensitive samples were stored without monitoring—even though no issues had occurred.

Pro tip:
Only control what matters. But be ready to explain why it matters—or doesn’t.

Equipment, Materials, and Reference Items in ISO/IEC 17043 Clause 6

Equipment under Clause 6 isn’t limited to lab instruments.

It includes anything used to:

• Prepare PT items
• Store samples
• Evaluate results
• Support scheme delivery

Assessors typically check:

• Suitability of equipment
• Calibration or verification where relevant
• Maintenance and control

I’ve seen PT providers overdo this—treating every device like a reference instrument.

Pro tip:
Proportional control is your friend. Justify your approach based on risk and use.

Common mistake:
Either ignoring equipment control entirely or over-calibrating everything without justification.

Control of External Providers and Outsourced Resources

Very few PT providers work alone.

External resources may include:

• Contract laboratories
• Statistical experts
• Sample manufacturers
• Logistics providers

Clause 6 makes one thing clear:
You remain responsible.

Assessors want to see:

• How external providers are selected
• How they’re evaluated
• How their performance is monitored

I’ve seen providers assume accreditation of a subcontractor is enough. It helps—but it’s not the whole story.

Pro tip:
Show how you control the output, not just who you outsource to.

Common pitfall:
Treating outsourced activities as “out of scope.”

Resource Planning and Availability for PT Scheme Delivery

Clause 6 isn’t just about current resources.
It’s also about planning.

Assessors may ask:

• How do you ensure enough staff for scheduled schemes?
• What happens if a key person is unavailable?
• How do you manage peak workloads?

Missed deadlines and delayed reports often trigger deeper questions.

Pro tip:
You don’t need complex forecasting. Even simple planning and contingency awareness demonstrates control.

Common mistake:
Only reacting to problems instead of showing foresight.

Demonstrating Clause 6 Compliance During ISO/IEC 17043 Assessments

This is where everything comes together.

Assessors verify Clause 6 through:

• Records
• Interviews
• Cross-checking answers against real PT schemes

I’ve seen strong systems weakened by inconsistent explanations from staff.

Pro tip:
Before the assessment, make sure staff can clearly explain:

• Their role
• Their authorization
• The resources they use

Common pitfall:
Assuming Clause 6 is a “management issue” and not briefing technical personnel.

FAQs on ISO/IEC 17043 Clause 6: Resource Requirements

Do PT providers need formally qualified staff for every role?

Not necessarily. But competence must be demonstrable and appropriate to the activity.

Are facility and equipment controls mandatory for all PT providers?

Yes—at a level appropriate to your PT activities and risks.

How does ISO/IEC 17043 treat outsourced resources?

You can outsource activities, but not responsibility. Control and oversight are required.

Conclusion: Clause 6 Is About Confidence, Not Complexity

Clause 6 isn’t asking PT providers to build a laboratory.
It’s asking them to prove they have the right people, resources, and controls to deliver credible PT schemes.

When competence is clear, resources are suitable, and external providers are controlled, assessors gain confidence fast.

Your next step:
Review your personnel competence, facilities, equipment, and outsourced resources now—before the assessor connects the dots for you.