Free Workshops
2025 Educational Series
Management Review for Strategic Improvement (Clause 8.9) – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, September 9, 2025 – 1:00pm-3:00pm ET
Free Live Workshop
Presented by: Matthew Sica – Technical Program Manager, PJLA
Certificate of Completion Provided!
This virtual discussion-based workshop is ideal for laboratory managers, quality assurance personnel, and senior leaders responsible for conducting management reviews as part of their ISO/IEC 17025-compliant quality management system. Management reviews play a critical role in evaluating a laboratory’s performance and identifying areas for strategic improvement. In this workshop, participants will explore the essential components of an effective management review, including how to organize, conduct, and document reviews that drive meaningful outcomes. The session will underscore the importance of management reviews in supporting continuous improvement and aligning laboratory operations with broader organizational goals.
Participants will learn about the key inputs necessary for a productive management review, such as internal and external audit results, findings from corrective and preventive actions, feedback from clients, and any identified opportunities for improvement. This workshop will guide attendees on how to review and interpret these inputs to gain valuable insights into the laboratory’s performance and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards. Attendees will discuss real-life challenges associated with gathering, analyzing, and presenting this data, with a focus on best practices for making reviews comprehensive yet manageable.
The workshop will also address the critical role of top management in the review process. Participants will discuss how laboratory leadership can effectively support management reviews by providing direction, resources, and a commitment to follow through on review outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on fostering a culture of accountability, where management reviews are seen as an opportunity to drive improvements rather than a routine compliance task. Attendees will learn strategies to engage leadership meaningfully, ensuring that management reviews not only meet ISO requirements but also become a strategic tool for guiding laboratory development and growth.
By the end of the session, participants will have a toolkit of strategies for conducting thorough and impactful management reviews that serve as a foundation for continuous improvement and long-term success. They will gain insights on translating review findings into actionable steps that are aligned with the laboratory’s strategic objectives, supporting both operational excellence and ISO/IEC 17025 compliance. This workshop will equip attendees to conduct reviews that are effective, insightful, and valuable, ultimately enhancing the laboratory’s quality management system and ensuring sustained performance improvements.
Equipment Calibration and Maintenance for Reliable Results (Clauses 6.4 and 6.5) – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 1:00pm-3:00pm ET
Free Live Workshop
Presented by: Matthew Sica – Technical Program Manager, PJLA
Certificate of Completion Provided!
This virtual discussion-based workshop is designed for laboratory managers, technical staff, and quality assurance personnel responsible for equipment management in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories. Proper calibration and maintenance of equipment are foundational to producing reliable and accurate test results, as well as to maintaining compliance with ISO standards. This session will guide participants through the key requirements of equipment calibration, verification, and maintenance, providing them with insights into best practices for creating effective calibration schedules, tracking maintenance activities, and documenting all actions taken to ensure equipment reliability.
In this workshop, participants will explore the lifecycle of laboratory equipment, from initial calibration to ongoing maintenance and eventual decommissioning. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how to plan and schedule calibration and verification activities in a way that meets regulatory requirements while minimizing disruption to laboratory workflows. Attendees will discuss various approaches to recordkeeping, learning how to maintain comprehensive documentation that clearly reflects each piece of equipment’s status, calibration history, and maintenance records, ensuring easy access during audits or inspections.
There will be a discussion on establishing predictive maintenance protocols that prevent equipment failures and reduce unplanned downtime based on data generated by the laboratory. Participants will learn how to implement preventive maintenance strategies that preserve measurement accuracy. The workshop will also address the importance of identifying critical equipment that has a direct impact on testing quality and reliability, allowing laboratories to prioritize maintenance and calibration activities accordingly. By sharing experiences and strategies, attendees will gain practical knowledge on setting up maintenance schedules that support consistent laboratory performance.
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to develop and implement a structured calibration and maintenance program that optimizes equipment performance and laboratory efficiency. They will leave with a clear understanding of how to document calibration and maintenance activities to demonstrate compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and enhance overall reliability. This workshop will empower attendees to manage laboratory equipment proactively, ensuring it is consistently fit for purpose and contributing to high-quality test results that clients and stakeholders can trust.
Metrological Traceability and Certified Reference Materials (Clause 6.6) – REGISTER NOW!
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – 1:00pm-3:00pm ET
Free Live Workshop
Presented by: Matthew Sica – Technical Program Manager, PJLA
Certificate of Completion Provided!
This virtual discussion-based workshop is designed for laboratory managers, quality assurance personnel, and technical staff responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of measurement results through effective management of metrological traceability and certified reference materials. Metrological traceability and the proper control of reference materials are essential to producing precise, consistent, and reproducible results that meet ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. This session will provide a comprehensive look at best practices for selecting, procuring, verifying, and maintaining traceability of certified reference materials, supporting laboratories in meeting both regulatory and client standards.
Participants will delve into the requirements for traceability as outlined in ISO/IEC 17025, with a focus on selecting appropriate certified reference materials and validating their sources. Discussions will include criteria for evaluating reference material providers, ensuring they meet the necessary certification and quality standards. By understanding how to verify the suitability and traceability of reference materials, laboratories can strengthen the credibility of their results and demonstrate conformity with international standards. This knowledge is essential for laboratories that aim to produce defensible, high-quality data across a variety of testing and calibration activities.
The workshop will also address the critical role of inventory management and control in maintaining reliable reference materials. Participants will discuss strategies for managing inventory effectively, including tracking the use and expiration of reference materials and setting up protocols for periodic verification. Through shared examples and collaborative discussions, attendees will explore practical steps to ensure that their laboratory’s inventory of certified reference materials remains current, compliant, and well-organized. These processes support the continuity of traceability in testing and calibration, enhancing the laboratory’s overall quality management.
By the end of this session, attendees will have gained valuable insights into establishing a robust traceability program that aligns with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements. They will leave equipped with strategies to validate reference material sources, manage inventory, and document traceability practices that support consistent, high-quality laboratory results. This workshop will empower laboratories to implement effective traceability systems that reinforce the accuracy, credibility, and reliability of their results, building trust with clients and meeting the highest standards of scientific rigor.
PJLA FREE Training Workshops for 2025!
