36 TECHNICAL
There is more than one certification body !
ByRory Macnamara
In this issue of Plumbing Africa we have published a piece from SABS on the difference between a ‘ test ’ and ‘ certification ’.
The SABS supplied the article and provided sample copies of their certificates , and they are acknowledged accordingly .
The point , nonetheless , is that there are FOUR South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ) accredited bodies serving aspects of our industry . Of these , one is SABS , and the others are South African Technical Auditing Services ( SATAS ), AENOR Spain , and South African Product Certification Services ( SAPCS )
A test , so well explained in the SABS article , is just that . It does not allow for continual sampling and regular auditing of the factory so vital to ensuring continual supply of high-quality goods to market .
This now brings in The Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Services Installation Components ( JASWIC ) a service of listing provided by the scheme to assist Building Control and Inspectors for use by municipalities and a valuable service indeed .
Through SANAS these organisations apply and are audited and verified to certify products / services the certification bodies wish to conduct their business in . These can be increased or reduced according to the organisation ’ s needs and requirements .
The certification granted is tested by the selected test house , audited and regular samples strictly according to the requirements of the relevant South African National Standard ( SANS )
This is significant as one now has four ‘ marks ’ which are equal to each other in every respect and there is not one that supersedes any other .
Plumbing Africa understands that there are still disciplines out there that insist on the SABS Mark and ignore the other SANAS accredited organisations . Such disciplines are doing their clients a great disservice as well as showing their ignorance of a changing world and broadening competition .
However , whilst it is understandable that SABS has been part of this group since inception the role of JASWIC has changed over the years . Whereas JASWIC would accept a test report known as ‘ JASWIC R ’ it was conditional that the full standard would be complied with within a certain period . This fell away and is now replaced with ,
“ Although the procedure for JASWIC listing is less stringent than for Mark Holders , applicants wishing to list need to provide a full and compliant specification test report performed the SABS ( or other SANAS accredited body ) to the applicable SANS standard .” ( extract from the JASWIC constitution 07.02.2022 )
It goes without saying that reference to the SABS Mark in the constitution should be removed to state ‘ the certification body ’ s name and respective SANS 0000 standard should apply .’
This will eliminate the apparent confusion in the market .
This will broaden the acceptance of products by manufacturers / suppliers who , for various reasons , have opted to follow another route of compliance but strictly to the SANS specifications . For them to invest in this process and potentially be excluded is unacceptable and anti-competitive even if the local bylaws state SABS Mark which should be changed accordingly to be in line with the Competitions Commission requirements of fair trade . PA pan xiaozhen | Unsplash
“ There are FOUR South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ) accredited bodies .”
www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline March 2022 Volume 28 I Number 1