In January 2026, JQA Calibration Vietnam Co., Ltd. (JQACV) hosted a practical seminar in Hanoi, Vietnam, for the manufacturing industry under the theme “Measurement Management, Calibration, and Quality Assurance.”

Approximately 130 participants, primarily from Japanese-affiliated companies, attended the seminar, demonstrating strong interest in instrument calibration, measurement training and management, uncertainty evaluation, and the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025. The seminar systematically covered topics ranging from the fundamentals of measurement management that can be immediately applied on the manufacturing floor to the significance of calibration, the concept of measurement uncertainty, guard band setting, and the practical application of ISO/IEC 17025.

Common Challenges in Measurement, Calibration, and Quality Control Facing Vietnam’s Manufacturing Industry

Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a global manufacturing hub for automotive and electronic components. However, as precision requirements continue to rise, the development of robust measurement management systems and skilled human resources has not fully kept pace.

Participating companies identified the following common challenges:

▲ Insufficient systematic training for measurement personnel
▲ Limited understanding of the purpose of measurement on the production floor
▲ Insufficient awareness of the concept of measurement uncertainty
▲ Lack of understanding of how to interpret and utilize calibration certificates
▲ Insufficient understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 requirements

These issues may result in quality incidents, excessive quality, and increased costs.

Quality Control from the Perspective of the “Purpose” of Measurement

In the first half of the seminar, participants revisited the fundamental question, “Why do we perform measurements?” and explored the true significance of measurement activities. At many production sites, measurements are often conducted in a routine or merely procedural manner. However, the seminar emphasized that measurement is fundamentally a decision-making tool for safeguarding and ensuring product quality.

As a practical example, the seminar introduced a case in which the failure to perform dimensional measurements resulted in a customer’s production line shutdown and significant emergency sorting costs. It demonstrated that both the number of measurements and the required accuracy should be optimized to minimize total loss. Furthermore, through mathematical models and loss functions, the seminar explained that measurement error—together with process variation—directly contributes to quality loss. It emphasized that measurement error is not a “mistake,” but an inherent characteristic of any measurement process, and therefore must be properly managed and controlled.

Practical Approaches to Instrument Calibration, Measurement Uncertainty, and ISO/IEC 17025

The second half of the seminar focused on calibration management, measurement uncertainty, acceptance criteria, and the application of ISO/IEC 17025. The key topics addressed included:

• Fundamental concept of measurement uncertainty
• Approaches to acceptance criteria and guard band setting
• Calibration management in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025
• The role of calibration certificates in international trade

Decisions made without considering measurement uncertainty may increase either consumer risk or producer risk. Appropriate guard band setting is directly linked to optimizing both quality and cost. ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration enables one-stop testing in international trade, helping to reduce duplicate testing and accelerate time-to-market. In particular, the message that “calibration is not a cost, but an investment in protecting quality and trust” resonated strongly with participants and received broad agreement and support.

The Need for Human Resource Development in Measurement Management and Quality Assurance

According to the post-seminar questionnaire, many participants identified “improving the competence of measurement personnel” as their most significant challenge. In Vietnam, while production capacity continues to expand, education and training systems related to quality control and measurement have not yet been sufficiently developed. To address this issue, JQACV provides continuous support not only through seminars, but also through in-house training programs and customized training sessions.

JQACV’s Calibration Services and Comprehensive Solutions

JQACV serves as a key hub for measurement management and calibration in Hanoi, Vietnam, providing ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration services. The company has been accredited by the BoA (Bureau of Accreditation of Vietnam) as a calibration laboratory in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 and delivers highly reliable calibration services locally.

In addition to calibration services, JQACV provides comprehensive solutions to strengthen quality infrastructure, including measurement education, on-site improvement training, customized training programs, support for ISO/IEC 17025 implementation, and the outsourcing of calibration operations. The company has earned strong recognition from manufacturers in Vietnam and has established a proven track record across a wide range of industries, including office automation equipment, automotive components, and medical devices, performing more than 33,000 calibration cases annually.

In addition, JQACV offers customized, made-to-order seminars in which the lecture content is tailored to meet the specific needs of each company. For participants, original certificates of completion are issued, which can be used as proof of technical competence for calibration staff and for second-party audits.

Future Outlook — Establishing a Culture of Quality

Calibration is not merely a cost, but an investment in protecting quality and building trust. JQACV will continue to contribute to fostering a culture of quality and strengthening the international competitiveness of Vietnam’s manufacturing industry through comprehensive measurement management support and educational initiatives.