48 Business and training
How the testers see it
In the February 2017 issue , we asked the official bodies to provide their input on the testing of standards and the issuing of certificates , which is undergoing a huge change . In this issue , we have a look at companies accredited by the South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ) ( refer to block ).
By
Rory Macnamara
Plumbing Africa approached the following three SANAS-approved companies for their input :
• SABS ( South African Bureau of Standards )
• SATAS ( South African Technical Auditing Service )
• AENOR ( Asociación Española de Normalización y Certificación ).
The SABS acknowledged receipt of the questions and indicated their intention to respond , but at the time of going to print , no response had been received .
1 . Is there an acceptance that the standard term should be SANS ( South African National Standard )? SATAS : SANS is the correct terminology . It used to be SABS standards , which is not the case anymore . The SABS only facilitates the Technical Committees responsible for the content of the standard . The SABS has copyright on all SANS standards . AENOR : The national standards are the reference in each country and SANS standards should be the reference in this case . Additionally , if these standards are based on international standards or are the result of a direct adoption of its content , they will facilitate the economic development and the free movement of goods in national and international markets . It is very important to remark that the use of references to standards clarifies the demanded requirements in the private and public purchases .
2 . If no , please explain ? Not applicable .
3 . Leading on from Question 1 , can we state that the testing authority will use , for example , SANS 10252 approved with the testing authority ’ s name ? SATAS : The test facility will issue a report with all the relevant information and references to standards , test methods , and so forth . If not , the report will not be acceptable to the Product Certification Body .
4 . Will the certificate carry full details of the standard approved , as well as an explanation as to the scope of the test and the limitations of usage ? SATAS : The certificate as issued by the Product Certification Body will reflect the SANS standard , the title , as well as specific product when relevant . AENOR : The product certificate understood as the result of the work of the Certification Body , once the product has been assessed , will always refer to the standard used for that matter . It will contain the main characteristics of the product that define the performance of the product and its intended use . Let ´ s take into account that , usually , the certificate is a document with limited space , so it is very important to take into consideration the certification regulation that the Certification Body has used to certify that specific product . The certification regulation will include the different activities needed for the granting and maintenance of the certification . For example , the standards indicate the requirements that have to be tested but not on which part of the certified range it has to be done and the frequency of those tests , neither the number of product inspections necessary to gain the confidence in the capacity of the manufacturer to maintain the same level of compliance over time .
5 . In what areas of testing and certification do you currently operate ? SATAS : SATAS does certification to ISO 17065 mainly in timber products ; metal and galvanising ; the plastic pipe industry ; and road barrier systems . SATAS makes use of independent test facilities to avoid conflict of interest .
AENOR : AENOR works in the certification of all kind of products , including construction and electromechanical products , being leaders in the product certification of plastic piping systems . For plastic products in particular , AENOR has defined 49 schemes for different products and standards , and has issued certificates to 225 factories in 28 different countries for plastic piping systems . All these products are tested in CEIS , our laboratory working on these and other products . Regarding our activity with SANS standards , AENOR is accredited for the following standards : SANS 16422 , SANS 15874 , SANS 15875 , SANS 15876 , SANS 15877 , SANS 21003 , and SANS 22391 .
6 . How would you describe the test / certification market in South Africa and can we expect more centres to enter the market ? SATAS : At the moment , the certification industry is experiencing problems . There is , however , light at the end of the tunnel . Competition is a good thing and there is room for new test and certification bodies . We at SATAS support SANAS , who is doing excellent work in a sometimes hostile environment . AENOR : The test / certification market is in evolution . It is a fact that in the frame of construction products , the more developed the societies are the more conscious they are about the quality existing in the market . Product certification is probably the most used tool to demonstrate the compliance of the products with specifications . It is undoubtable that to succeed in the trade , it is necessary to support the product with any kind of certificate , test report , or whatever means able to demonstrate the confidence in the market . In this frame , South Africa is no different , and the industry will demand specialised certification bodies and testing laboratories , which will have to be able to demonstrate their own technical competence and good service . An additional aspect like the
March 2017 Volume 23 I Number 1 www . plumbingafrica . co . za