ISO 17025

A Credible Benefit to Customers

ISO 17025 Accreditation

Cashman Equipment's Fluids Analysis Lab provides customers with convenient testing, analysis and interpretation of fluids from mobile machines and stationary equipment. Specializing in sampling and analyzing used and new oils, fuels and coolants, Cashman's meticulous fluids analysis team provides customers with reliable, comprehensive sample reports, detailing contaminants within the machine components.

In 2008 and early 2009, the 11 person team spent approximately 12 months working toward a prestigious goal - International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 17025 certification. In order to become certified, Cashman's lab had to meet the Laboratory Accredited Bureau (L-A-B) ISO 17025 standards. L-A-B, a globally recognized company providing laboratory certification, strictly adheres to the ISO guidelines for consistent quality. Receipt of the ISO 17025 accreditation assures customers that equipment calibration methods, sample test processes, data collection, and reporting follow standard operating procedures and are consistently accurate.

Cashman's ISO 17025 Accreditation provides formal recognition to the thoroughness of the employees work processes, documentation, and careful fluids sampling and analysis procedures. The entire Fluids Analysis team labored diligently to document each individual lab procedure, ending in the creation of an extensively detailed 39-page manual. In order to be certified, L-A-B auditors closely audited the lab, processes and procedures and manual, comparing the documentation to actual practices. L-A-B reviewed details like:

• Competence of staff
• Validity and appropriateness of test methods
• Traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards
• Suitability, calibration and maintenance of test equipment
• Organization of testing environment
• Sampling, handling and transportation of test items
• Quality assurance of test and calibration data

Cashman has become one of only two Caterpillar labs worldwide to become ISO 17025 certified. According to Cashman's Fluids Lab Manager, "The key to accreditation is saying what you do, and doing what you say." The company already practiced the basic concept associated with ISO 17025 certification (consistent practices), but every single step of a process had to be clearly laid out and fine-tuned to meet L-A-B's standards. Whether it is customer interactions or equipment calibration, the ISO 17025 accreditation means customers are receiving the benefit of reliable, consistent fluids analysis services from Cashman Equipment.

Scope of Accreditation
Certificate of Accreditation