The Changing Nature of SANAS Accreditation

Transcription

1 The Changing Nature of SANAS Accreditation Test and Measurement 2013 Conference Misty Hills Conference Hotel, October 2013 Ron Josias South African National Accreditation System (SANAS)

2 Introduction An ever changing world, introducing new challenge to us all Nothing is more evident than the current prevailing global economic crisis and the need for us to do something now. Everything we do has multiple outcomes, and everything that happens has multiple causes Dr. S Hill Currently the legitimacy of accreditation is rooted in the notion of trade facilitation through the removal of technical barriers to trade. Accreditation should evolve and continues to expand, not only providing service aimed at trade driven economy, but also to mould into a tool for the socioeconomic wellbeing for all. This requires accreditation to re-evaluate its assumptions and prepare for its important contribution towards socioeconomics. The question therefore is; how should SANAS, as accreditors shape to deal with the multiple outcomes of the things we do, and the multiple facets of socioeconomics

3 Aim This presentation aims to provides an overview of how the ever expanding role of accreditation changes the nature of SANAS accreditation. Defining Socioeconomics Historic overview of accreditation Identifying the key socioeconomic projects accreditation supports Overview of SANAS accreditation direction Conclusion

4 What is Socioeconomics Socioeconomic refers to things that involve economic and social factors. Socioeconomic status is based on factors such as income, education, occupation, and involvement in your community; Examples of causes of socioeconomic impacts include new technologies such as: cars cell phones,; changes in laws, changes in the physical environment (such as increasing crowding within cities), and ecological changes (such as prolonged drought or declining fish stocks). These may affect patterns of consumption, the distribution of incomes and wealth, the way in which people behave (both in terms of purchase decisions and the way in which they choose to spend their time), and the overall quality of life (Wikipedia access: 24/05/2013;

5 Historic Overview of Accreditation The quality movement can trace its roots back to 13th century. In the early 20th century, manufacturers began to include quality processes in quality practices. After the World War II, quality became a critical component of the war effort: Bullets manufactured in one part of a country, for example, had to work consistently in guns made in another. The Australian National Testing Authority NATA is one of the oldest accreditation bodies in the world having starting in the The incorporate of Accreditation in the World Trade Organisation s (WTO) Technical Barrier To Trade Agreement (TBT) focused largely on trade and the barriers technical regulations can cause providing a framework to ensuring that regulations are fair.however it indirectly highlighted the role accreditation can play in the socioeconomic space

6 Historic Overview of Accreditation Accreditation in South Africa started in 1974 with the official launch of the NCS in 1980 under the CSIR, which later became the NLA and then SANAS in During this period up to 2006, SANAS accreditation was largely focused on trade facilitation. However as quality has moved beyond manufacturing into service, healthcare, education and government sectors, accreditation as an integral part of quality assurance followed, thus not only providing services aimed at a trade driven economy but also as a tool for socioeconomic wellbeing to 1992 National Calibration Services (NCS) Scope: Calibration Laboratories only 1992 to 1996 National Laboratory Accreditation (NLA) Scope: Calibration and Testing Laboratories 1996 to 2006 South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) Scope: Calibration, Medical and Testing Laboratories, Inspection and Certification Bodies 2006 to current South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) Scope: Calibration, Medical and Testing Laboratories, Inspection and Certification Bodies OECD GLP & BBBEE

7 Historic overview of Accreditation Over the past 5 years, the contribution of accreditation as a tool to assist government and regulators in it socioeconomic responsibilities i.e. improving the overall quality of life, has grown significantly. E.g. The European Commission recognising accreditation through its directives and formal recognising the European Accreditation as the body for coordinating accreditation activities in Europe; The USA FDA recognising ILAC and IAF arrangement within its requirements for toys. Other regulators also busy with various other regulations recognising the International Laboratory Accreditations Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRA); In the Asian Pacific area, the Asian Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) is recognised by various governments in that region to coordinate accreditation activates in their region.

8 Historic Overview The recognition of the Pan African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI) by the African Union (AU) is at an advance stage; The Recognition of PAQI is currently being incorporated in the new Tripartite Agreement being concluded between SADC, COMESA and EAC; L R: Mr Paul Johnson (AFSEC Secretary), Mr Ron Josias (AFRAC Chair), Dr Hermogene Nsengimana (ARSO Executive Secretary) and Mr Joel Kioko (AFRIMETS Chair) at the signing ceremony of the PAQI agreement in Pretoria, RSA on 20 February 2013.

9 Historic Overview Over the past 5 years, Africa has made major advancement in the area of accreditation through the enacted of various agreements and laws to establish structures that deals with standards, accreditation, and metrology and conformity assessment. Especially in the area of accreditation, various accreditation bodies have been established or is in the process of establishing themselves on the continent; TUNAC KENAS SANAS EGAG ENAO MAURITAS SADCAS

10 The Changing nature of SANAS Accreditation Since 2008, SANAS became an integral part of Government growth plans: Focus mainly on providing key programmes aimed at: Changes in laws, - Health, safety and environment protection Changes in the physical environment, and Ecological changes RSA embarked on an Integrated approach aligning Standards, Metrology, Accreditation and Technical Regulations in support of our socioeconomic objectives

11 The South African measurement infrastructure

12 Where is SANAS accreditation heading to SANAS needed to give equal attention to the socioeconomic factors as was with trade facilitation responsibilities; Aim Focus Action Supporting development of socioeconomic programmes Strategy, Research and Development Establish Strategy and R&D Section 2010 Supporting Regional Integration : l Increase the number of Accreditation Bodies on the Continent & Conclude twinning arrangement with SADCAS. Log out poor Expand quality our role Establish in the region a recognition and the continent; Establish African goods from RSA arrangement between AB Accreditation borders in Africa Cooperation (AFRAC)

13 In December 2009, SANAS concluded a twinning arrangement with SADCAS aimed at assisting SADCAS to obtain international recognition. From left to right: Marie Chilcott SADCA Secretariat; Maureen P Mutasa SADCAS CEO; Riundja Ali Kaakunga [Othy] - SADCAS Board Chairman; Prags Govender SANAS Board Chairman; Christinah Leballo Senior Manager [SANAS] and Ron Josias SANAS CEO

14 ABOUT AFRAC * AFRAC is a cooperation of ABs in Africa & other organisations interested in conformity assessment; * Formally launched on 29 September 2010 in Cairo, Egypt. * Formed as a result of increase in demand from importing countries for confidence in the competence of conformity assessment bodies. * Objectives: * Develop and implement the AFRAC MRA; * Encourage cooperation and mutual assistance among Members (ABs); * Harmonise the criteria for the operation of ABs based on ISO/IEC s international standards and guides, IAF, ILAC etc. * Capacity building; * Encourage & support the development of ABs in Africa; * Be the voice of African in matters of accreditation in the international fora. AFRAC Launch in Cairo, Egypt Oct rd AFRAC General Assembly, South Africa Oct 2012

15 SANAS accreditation & Socioeconomic Projects Government department Department of Trade and Industry IPAP-assigned accreditation system projects Energy efficiency measurement and verification Local content (as Chairperson of the SANS Working Group) Greenhouse gas emission verification and validation Other accreditation system projects National Department of Tourism Department of Water Affairs Department of Health Department of Agriculture Department of Transport Department of Labour Responsible tourism Water quality Inspection of X-ray diagnostic equipment Meat inspection Road transport management In-service inspection pressure equipment Risk-based inspection and certification Occupation hygiene

16 Future Projects 2013/14 Green industries Develop and roll out an accreditation programme for Energy Efficiency Management (SANS/ISO 50001) Complete a feasibility study to determine the needs for an accreditation programme for Wind turbines Organic Agricultural Production and Processing Complete a feasibility study to determine the needs for an accreditation programme for Organic Agricultural Production and Processing Nuclear Energy Participate in the work of the Nuclear Energy Sub-working group on Skills, Localisation and Industrialisation. 2014/15 Organic Agricultural Production and Processing Develop and roll out an accreditation programme for Organic Agricultural Production and Processing 2015/16 Nuclear Energy Develop and roll out an accreditation programme for Nuclear Energy Identify technical experts and train as SANAS technical assessors

17 Conclusion These new responsibilities required SANAS to re-evaluate its assumptions of accreditation as a tool for trade facilitation only; and Prepare for its important role in the accommodating socioeconomic factors. It therefore requires all of us as Conformity Assessment Bodies, Service Providers and regulators to investigate ways to encourage the use of accreditation; Create awareness amongst legislators, regulators and the public at large of the role of accreditation in socioeconomic facilitation Improving the overall quality of life.

18 Thank You