The digital accreditation symbol strengthens trust and recognition of digital calibration certificates
Digitisation in the world of calibration will greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of calibration processes. Once an accredited laboratory issues digital certificates or test reports, the credibility and traceability of the documents must be ensured. With the digital accreditation symbol, Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) has developed an internationally recognised solution that guarantees the necessary protection of the authenticity and integrity of digital calibration certificates (DCC). A clear advantage for accredited bodies.
The digital accreditation symbol has been available to accredited calibration laboratories for a good six months now and applications for it can be made to DAkkS. The digital accreditation symbol is the machine-readable equivalent of the existing “graphic” DAkkS accreditation symbol that is technically verifiable worldwide in real time. The digital accreditation symbol enables accredited calibration laboratories to issue digitally signed and tamper-proof calibration certificates as a so-called “eAttestation”. With tamper-proof certificates of conformity, conformity assessment bodies not only strengthen customer confidence in their services – at the same time, they also make a strategic decision to ensure measurement reliability and competitiveness in an increasingly digital world.
- Ensuring authenticity and credibility
The digital accreditation symbol indicates to users of a calibration certificate that the issuing laboratory is accredited by DAkkS and that the data in the calibration certificate has not been altered. This creates confidence in the accuracy of the calibration results and adherence to the specified standards. In an increasingly digitised world, where documents can easily be forged or altered, the digital accreditation symbol offers indispensable security as a digital root of trust. - Facilitating international recognition
The digital accreditation symbol enables international recognition of digital calibration certificates. This is particularly important for globally active companies, as international standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 are confirmed by the symbol, allowing companies to be sure that the calibration results can be accepted not only at the national level, but also worldwide. - Increased transparency and traceability
The digital accreditation symbol is a root of trust in the digital world that secures information about calibration processes that have been performed and strengthens confidence in this information. In conjunction with digital calibration certificates, this is an invaluable advantage that ensures the reliability and traceability of calibration results, strengthening confidence in the accuracy of measurements and tests.
More information on applying for the digital accreditation symbol
Interview with Dr. Michael Melzer, head of laboratory at BAM, on the advantages and future development of eAttestations
Challenges and future developments
Digitisation is a key driver for implementing automated and networked production processes and their quality assurance in the calibration sector in the future. However, the advantages of digitisation will only achieve their full potential when new technologies such as the digital calibration certificate (DCC) are widely used.
The DCC replaces the conventional paper calibration certificate with a fully electronic document in which the data in a calibration certificate is machine-readable and the most important information is also transferred in a machine-interpretable form. The DCC therefore offers a comprehensive range of options for automating processes in calibration, from automated data acquisition and transfer to integration in ERP systems and automated testing processes. The digital accreditation symbol is an indispensable element in ensuring the trustworthiness and recognition of the DCC and correctly outlining the evidence of accreditation.
The recently published results report “Digital quality infrastructure in testing and calibration laboratories – from trend to day-to-day business” by the QI Digital initiative sets out comprehensive findings on the action and requirements needed to promote the successful and sustainable digitisation of an entire industry.
Susanne Kuch, M.A.
Digitisation Policy in Quality Infrastructure | Staff Unit Accreditation Governance, Research and Innovation