ABSTRACT
The integrity of products and services depends on the quality of the resources used to create and assess their characteristics. Monitoring and measuring resources comprises the monitoring or measuring instruments, software, measurement standard, reference material or auxiliary apparatus, the people who monitor and measure product and service characteristics, the methods used and the environment in which measurements are undertaken. The arrangements for ensuring that only resources suitable for specific type of monitoring and measurement activities are employed will vary depending on the risks. Maintaining monitoring and measuring resources to ensure their continuing fitness for purpose means not only that the devices are to be maintained but also maintaining the level of competence in the people undertaking the measurements, the methods used and the environment in which the measurements and monitoring are undertaken. Measuring instruments are very sensitive to vibration, contamination, shock and tampering and thus it is necessary to protect them to preserve their integrity during use, maintenance and storage.
