Calibration
Calibration
Calibration is the process that compares an instrument's readings against the values of a reference standard under defined conditions, so we know how correctly it measures and can correct it if needed. It is the foundation of trust in every measurement. When calibration is carried out formally, it follows a specific, standardised procedure based on international standards (such as ISO/IEC 17025) and is performed in suitable calibration laboratories. The result is documented in a calibration certificate, which records the readings, the standards that were used, the measurement uncertainty and the traceability, that is, the link between the result and the national or international standards through an unbroken chain of comparisons.