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Answers to 5 typical questions in the laboratory: 1. Is it allowed for the computer dedicated to analytical instruments to be connected to the Internet, and is it permissible to install other software on it? Answer: CMA and CNAS do not require that computers dedicated to analytical instruments be prevented from accessing the Internet or from having other software installed on them. However, specific fields have particular requirements, such as computers for forensic testing. The laboratory decides, based on its own circumstances, whether it is necessary to connect the computers dedicated to the instruments to the Internet and install other software. The computers dedicated to the instruments are connected to the Internet or have other software installed; therefore, the laboratory must ensure the confidentiality and security of these instrument computers. 2 How can one distinguish between deionized water, pure water, ultra-pure water, and distilled water? If a laboratory does not have grade-1 water, what ready-made products can be purchased as substitutes? Is technical inspection required if ready-made water is purchased? Answer: The descriptions above overlap with each other. For example, if pure water requires deionization, then pure water is deionized water. The description above is not a method for classifying laboratory water grades. The classification of laboratory water is in accordance with the provisions in GB/T 6682. It is divided into: grade 1 water, grade 2 water, and grade 3 water. The indicators include: pH value, conductivity, oxidizable matter content, absorbance, evaporation residue, and soluble silicon. Commercially available water can be used as a substitute for analytical water, and such substitution requires technical approval. The acceptance shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions in GB/T 6682 for the acceptance of relevant indicators. The laboratory can choose water from a reputable brand, as the manufacturing process of such brands is stable, which reduces the workload associated with technical inspections in the laboratory. 3 If there are no inspection tasks to be carried out on the laboratory equipment this year, can it be left uncalibrated for that period? Will such equipment result in non-conformities during an external audit? Answer: Whether to calibrate the equipment should be determined based on the actual conditions of the laboratory, as the laboratory needs to maintain the good performance of the equipment used for experiments. Calibration must be carried out at intervals determined by the laboratory. Calibration is not omitted just because the laboratory equipment is not used for experiments. It is a major risk if a laboratory does not conduct experiments on a certain project for a long time. The laboratory needs to conduct simulated experiments or internal and external quality control. To maintain the laboratory’s experimental experience. 4 Is it necessary to turn the equipment’s user manual into an operation guide? Answer: Not necessarily. The premise for creating laboratory work instructions is that the lack of such instructions can affect our experimental results. If the instrument manual states that it is perfect and the operators can follow the manual to operate it, then there is no need to convert it into an operation guide. If the instructions are vague, unclear, difficult to understand, or even ambiguous or incorrect, they must be supplemented in the form of work instructions. 5 In subcontracts for which the laboratory does not have the necessary capabilities, is it necessary to obtain the client’s approval before including the report data and results from the subcontractor in one’s own report? If so, is written consent from the customer required? Reference answer: Refer to the explanatory notes provided by the Certification and Accreditation Administration for the older version of the evaluation criteria for the accreditation of testing and inspection agencies in 2016 (the predecessor of the current RB/T 214). 1. Subcontractors who lack the necessary capabilities must obtain the consent of both the client and the subcontractor before they can include the report data and results provided by the subcontractor in their own reports. 2. It is best to obtain written consent for such approval, as oral consent is not conclusive.