Blog
Why instrument calibration matters to your results
Results are only trustworthy if the instrument is traceable. What traceability means, and how often to calibrate.
Many laboratories invest in expensive instruments but skip scheduled calibration — and their results do not hold up under audit.
What traceability means
It means a measurement can be traced back to a national or international standard through an unbroken calibration chain, with stated uncertainty at each step.
How often?
It depends on usage, environment and the standard your laboratory works to. As a rule, balances and temperature instruments should be calibrated at least annually.
Calibrate early if
- the instrument has been moved
- results drift unexpectedly
- it has just been repaired or had parts replaced