What is the Difference Between Calibration and Validation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Calibration and validation are two distinct processes that ensure the accuracy and performance of measuring devices, instruments, or systems. Here are the main differences between the two:
Calibration:
- Calibration is the process of comparing a value against a known standard and certifying a specific level of accuracy.
- It ensures the measurement accuracy of an instrument meets a known standard.
- Calibration is performed to assure precision and is typically documented as part of a quality management system.
- Calibration is required to be performed periodically, and it identifies if there is a drift in the measurements and eliminates it through calibration.
Validation:
- Validation is a documented process that provides assurance that a product, service, or system consistently provides results within the acceptable criteria.
- It ensures a system satisfies its stated functional intent and involves checking the outputs of a process against some expected standard, typically enforced by an external organization or internal standards.
- Validation is performed to provide written proof that the equipment, process, or system provides a consistent outcome.
- Validation is not required to be performed periodically, and it is often done by a third party to ensure the buyer is given a product that complies with the necessary requirements and accepted standards.
In summary, calibration focuses on the accuracy of measurements, while validation ensures that a system produces consistent and accurate results according to its intended purpose. Both processes are essential for ensuring the reliability and performance of instruments, systems, or processes in various industries.
Comparative Table: Calibration vs Validation
The main difference between calibration and validation lies in their focus and purpose. Calibration focuses on ensuring the accuracy of measurements produced by an instrument or a system, while validation ensures that a system, product, or service consistently provides results within the acceptable criteria. Here is a table highlighting the key differences between calibration and validation:
| Calibration | Validation |
|---|---|
| Ensures the accuracy of measurements produced by an instrument or system | Ensures that a system, product, or service consistently provides results within the acceptable criteria |
| Compares the performance of an instrument or system against a reference standard | Assesses the performance, quality, and other operating parameters to ensure they comply with the necessary requirements |
| Usually performed by technicians or experts | Often performed by a third party to ensure objectivity and compliance with the necessary requirements |
| Periodically performed on instruments and systems to maintain accuracy and eliminate drift | Conducted to provide documented assurance of consistent results within acceptable criteria |
In summary, calibration focuses on maintaining the accuracy of measurements, while validation ensures that a system, product, or service meets the required performance standards and consistently provides acceptable results.
- Verification vs Validation
- Data Validation vs Data Verification
- Reliability vs Validity
- Measurement vs Evaluation
- Truth vs Validity
- Accreditation vs Certification
- Balance vs Scale
- Standardization vs Titration
- Certificate vs Certification
- Accuracy vs Precision
- Calibration Curve Absorbance vs Concentration
- Quality Assurance vs Quality Control
- Alignment vs Balancing
- Assessment vs Evaluation
- Assessment vs Evaluation
- Analysis vs Evaluation
- Classification vs Regression
- Audit vs Evaluation
- Evaluation vs Monitoring