Answer
Master gauges (pressure gauges, torque wrenches, calibrators used as shipboard reference standards) must be calibrated on shore by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratory.
- Accreditation Bodies: In India, laboratories accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories); internationally, labs accredited by bodies like UKAS (UK), DAkkS (Germany), or NVLAP (USA).
- Traceability Requirement: The calibration certificate issued shore-side must explicitly confirm traceability to National or International Standards (e.g., NPL – National Physical Laboratory in India, or NIST in the USA).
- OEM Authorized Service Centers: Facilities certified directly by the equipment manufacturer possessing traceable master deadweight testers/calibrators.