Accreditation and Competence?

Transcription

1 Accreditation and Competence? South African National Accreditation System Shadrack Phophi

2 Presentation Layout 1. Brief history of SANAS 2. SANAS scope of activity 3. International recognition 4. Current scopes offered under Certification program 5. What is Accreditation? 6. What is Competence and why is so critical? 7. How SANAS source and qualify assessors 8. Training of Assessors 9. Conditions for use of SANAS assessors 10. Use of technical experts

3 Brief history of SANAS The concept of SANAS, in the form of a single national accreditation system for South Africa, can be traced to October 1993 In 1994, cabinet approved in principle the establishment of such unit The new accreditation body (SANAS) was officially launched in August SANAS became fully operational during 1998 with three divisions in place: Laboratories Inspection bodies Certification bodies

4 Cont The Deputy Minister of the dti, Dr. Rob Davies has noted that Conformity assessment service providers normally operate in a fiercely competitive environment. Accreditation therefore assists local customers of such services by providing a level playing field for conformity assessment service providers to compete on an equal basis of demonstrated competence The credibility of SANAS as an accreditation body is of immense value to our economy in this regard (Davies, 2006:4).

5 Cont facilitate the use of accreditation by government departments, especially in support of the use of conformity assessment in regulation, recognise SANAS as the only accreditation body in South Africa for conformity assessment and calibration

6 SANAS Current Status SANAS is recognized as the only national body responsible for carrying out accreditations in respect of conformity assessment, which includes accreditation of (a) calibration, testing and verification laboratories; (b) certification bodies; (c) inspection bodies; (d) rating agencies; and (e) any other type of body that may be added to SANAS scope of activity. (f) OECD GLP compliance

7 SANAS International Recognition a) European co-operation for the Accreditation of laboratories (EA) - Calibration since 1993, Testing 1997 and Inspection b) Through ILAC, (Dec. 2000) mutual recognition of SANAS certificates Internationally c) International Accreditation Forum (IAF) Multilateral Agreement in October 1998 for Quality Management Systems ISO 9001 d) Now extended, 2004, to Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14000) and Product Certification.

8 Cont International recognition is based on peer evaluation of each applicant for membership and continued surveillance of each member to ensure and confirm that all the members operate their accreditation programs, and are implementing the Guidelines, consistently and in an equivalent way.

9 Current scopes offered under Certification program ISO/IEC Environmental Management System (EMS) Quality Management Systems (QMS) HACCP Food Safety Management System ISO Guide 65 BRC Globalgap Product certification ISO/IEC 17024

10 What is Accreditation? Accreditation is a third party attestation related to a conformity assessment body conveying formal demonstration of its competence to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks (ISO/IEC 17011)

11 Accreditation Bodies Accreditation service Conformity assessment bodies Certification Body Inspection Body Test Lab Cal Lab Conformity assessment service Product/ service Conforming product/service Requirements Market Purchasers Regulators Demands for competent conformity assessment Suppliers Trade Organizations and Authorities Demands for facilitating trade

12 What is Competence? Ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results (ISO/IEC 17021:2011)

13 Cont Accreditation body (AB) shall have access to necessary expertise for advising the accreditation body on matters directly relating to accreditation (ISO/IEC 17011) AB shall have access to a sufficient number of assessors (ISO/IEC 17011)

14 Where do we source expertise? SANAS sources expertise from industry, academia and conformity assessment bodies

15 Minimum requirements For Certification Technical Assessors / Experts: Working experience in industry and an appropriate education or qualification Minimum of 4 years of working experience in the scope of accreditation, and sector specific knowledge of the scope

16 SANAS Assessor Training Training is done by the Knowledge Transfer department Courses equips prospective assessors with: knowledge of SANAS as an internationally recognized AB Understanding and interpretation of the relevant accreditation criteria and standard requirements Knowledge and understanding of SANAS requirements and the accreditation process with associated assessment documentation and forms; and The manner in which SANAS requires assessors to carry out accreditation assessments

17 Conditions for use of SANAS Assessors Conversant with all SANAS assessment documentation, requirements, accreditation process and relevant standards Sign the F 53 Independent Contractor Agreement between SANAS and Assessor/Expert Ensure that SANAS has a copy of their latest qualifications and work experience on file Communicate effectively in the English language Declare any vested interest they have or have had with applicant s organisation

18 Use of a Technical Expert Where is not viable to train an assessor in a specific field, SANAS can contract technical experts to perform an assessment Technical experts are always accompanied by a qualified assessor for the duration of the assessment

19 Conclusion Government recognised a need for an internationally recognised national accreditation system as a crucial element of a well-functioning technical infrastructure that is aligned with international best practice

20 For Certification related SANAS [email protected]