Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by Melissa Lazaro

ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Resource Requirements (Clause 6) – A Detailed Overview

Let’s get real—no matter how well-designed your proficiency testing (PT) scheme is on paper, if you don’t have the right people, tools, and systems to support it, everything falls apart.

I’ve worked with plenty of PT providers who were brilliant technically, but struggled when it came to staffing, equipment validation, or managing their subcontractors. These aren’t just operational hiccups—they’re red flags during audits and potential threats to your credibility.

That’s why Clause 6 of ISO/IEC 17043:2023—the Resource Requirements—is so important. It sets clear expectations for what you need in place to deliver PT schemes that are valid, repeatable, and trusted by participants and accreditation bodies alike.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly what Clause 6 requires, what it looks like in real life, and how to avoid the common pitfalls I’ve seen catch even experienced providers off guard.

What Does Clause 6 Cover?

Clause 6 zooms in on five essential resource categories:

• Personnel
• Facilities and environmental conditions
• Equipment
• Externally provided products and services
• Information systems

Let’s explore each one—and what they really mean in day-to-day PT operations.

Personnel – Competence Is Non-Negotiable

This one should be obvious, but you’d be surprised how often it’s overlooked. Clause 6.2 requires that all personnel involved in PT activities are competent and properly authorized.

This includes:

• PT scheme designers
• Sample preparation staff
• Statistical analysts
• Technical reviewers
• Customer support for participant inquiries

What this looks like in practice:

• Up-to-date job descriptions for each role
• A training program tailored to your PT activities
• Records of qualification, training sessions, and any assessments
• Documented approval or authorization for specific tasks (like evaluating results)

Red flag to avoid:

“I’ve been doing this for 10 years” is not a substitute for documented competence. You need evidence, not assumptions.

Facilities and Environmental Conditions – More Than Just a Room

Whether you’re preparing blood samples, soil mixes, or calibration items, your facilities and conditions matter.

Clause 6.3 says your environment must not jeopardize the integrity or validity of your PT items or processes.

What auditors expect:

• Adequate workspace for sample prep and packaging
• Storage that supports item stability (e.g., temperature control, humidity monitoring)
• Controlled access areas (especially for confidential or critical items)
• Environmental monitoring records, where relevant

Practical example:

A PT provider I worked with stored items in a fridge shared with staff lunches. No one had thought about it until a participant questioned a result. Now they’ve got a dedicated, logged storage unit—and fewer complaints.

Equipment – It Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy, But It Must Be Reliable

Clause 6.4 requires that your equipment be fit for purpose, properly maintained, and calibrated if necessary.

This includes:

• Sample preparation tools (e.g., pipettes, balances, grinders)
• Storage devices (e.g., refrigerators, ovens)
• Packaging equipment
• Measurement or reference instruments used for assigned values

What you’ll need to show:

• A list of all equipment used in PT activities
• Maintenance schedules and service logs
• Calibration certificates (for anything that affects measurement traceability)
• Evidence of who is responsible for checking equipment status

Don’t make this mistake:

Using personal or “borrowed” equipment without verifying calibration or maintenance. Auditors won’t give you a pass because it was “just for one scheme.”

Externally Provided Products and Services – Subcontracting With Control

Outsourcing is fine—but you’re still responsible. Clause 6.5 is clear: any externally provided activity that affects the validity of PT schemes must be evaluated, selected, and monitored.

This could include:

• Sample preparation labs
• Courier or logistics services
• Statistical consultants
• IT service providers

What to have in place:

• Signed agreements or contracts
• Records of competence evaluation before hiring
• A system to monitor performance (e.g., delivery times, error rates, client feedback)
• A clear retention of responsibility—you must remain in control, not the vendor

Real-world tip:

If your subcontractor makes a mistake, the accreditation body won’t audit them—they’ll audit you. So treat every external provider like an extension of your team.

Information Systems – Don’t Let Your Data Let You Down

Today’s PT providers rely heavily on digital tools. Clause 6.6 requires that information systems used in PT activities are validated, secured, and reliable.

This includes:

• Data analysis software
• Online portals for participant submissions
• Internal databases
• Report generation tools

What to prepare:

• Evidence of software validation or performance testing
• Access control protocols (who can edit, who can view)
• Backups and recovery procedures
• Regular review of digital tools for bugs, errors, or outdated versions

Watch out for:

• Spreadsheets with no version control
• Portals without password protection
• No documented system for managing data backups

Even if you use simple tools, you need to show they’re controlled and secure.

Pro Tips – Making Clause 6 Work For You

Here are some tips I’ve shared with clients that make Clause 6 less intimidating—and more useful.

Pro Tip 1: Map resources to scheme stages

Build a matrix linking personnel, equipment, and suppliers to each step in your PT scheme. It helps you spot gaps early and prepare backups.

Pro Tip 2: Review subcontractors annually

Don’t just hire and forget. Evaluate performance, document concerns, and keep contracts updated.

Pro Tip 3: Treat your IT system like your lab

Keep logs, manage access, test functions, and review regularly. IT is part of your quality system—treat it with the same discipline.

Pro Tip 4: Build a “Resource Readiness” checklist

Before launching any new PT scheme, go through a quick checklist:

• Do we have trained staff?
• Is all equipment ready?
• Are facilities suitable?
• Are subcontractors confirmed?
• Is our IT functioning securely?

Common Mistakes PT Providers Make

Let’s be honest—we’ve all made some of these:

• Assuming old training is enough without refresher records
• Using uncalibrated tools “just for internal prep”
• Relying on verbal agreements with subcontractors
• Forgetting to document software changes or updates
• Storing PT items near cleaning chemicals or food (yes, this happens!)

These issues might not seem huge—but they can become nonconformities quickly.

Quick FAQs

Do I need a laboratory to meet Clause 6 requirements?
Not necessarily. But whatever space you use must be suitable, safe, and controlled for your PT activities.

What if I use Excel for reporting?
That’s fine—as long as it’s version-controlled, access-restricted, validated for accuracy, and backed up.

Can I outsource sample prep entirely?
Yes, but you must evaluate, contract, monitor, and retain responsibility for that activity.

Do I need to calibrate every piece of equipment?
Only if it affects your PT item’s performance or assigned value. But you should still maintain and track all critical tools.

Resources Are the Backbone of Trustworthy PT

If you’re serious about delivering PT schemes that participants trust—and accreditation bodies respect—then Clause 6 is your roadmap. It’s not just a list of things to own or people to hire. It’s about building reliability into your system.

When your people are trained, your equipment is maintained, your facilities are controlled, your partners are accountable, and your data is secure—your PT scheme becomes more than compliant. It becomes professional.

So here’s your next move:
Do a quick gap check against the five resource areas. Where are you strong? Where do you need to improve? Fixing small issues now will save you stress, delays, and findings down the road.

And if you need help mapping it out—I’ve worked with PT providers across multiple industries and would be happy to walk you through it.

Let’s make sure your foundation is as strong as the schemes you deliver.