impartiality

Clause 4.1 is the first operational clause in ISO/IEC 17025 — and for good reason. Impartiality is the foundation of credibility. Without impartiality, competence cannot be trusted, results cannot be defended, and the management system cannot be relied upon. Clause 4.1 ensures that laboratories operate free from bias, undue influence, conflicts of interest and pressures that could compromise the integrity of results.