TECHNICAL
37
The Star Rating System
By
Rory Macnamara
We continue with the second part of SA Watermark and why it should be a serious consideration for suppliers and manufacturers , local and import as well as wholesalers and merchants .
A brief refresh . SA Watermark provides the opportunity for suppliers to obtain confirmation that evidence is available that the product / s complies with the relevant standard far quicker while not compromising on compliance .
We now look at the star rating system offered by Watermark .
The SA Watermark rating allows for manufacturers and supplier a more efficient turnaround in being able to obtain and distribute test certificates or full certification .
The higher the rating ( four stars ) indicates that more levels of verification have been done to continuously verify the compliance of the product :
1 STAR signifies that the product design was verified . The supplier of the product has legally committed to ensure that all products made available for sale will be identical to the verified design . The product listing will expire 24 months after listing .
2 STARS All requirements for a 1-star rating will be complied with . In addition , blind testing will be performed on the product to confirm ongoing compliance .
3 STARS Signifies that the product design was verified , and that the production facility has been audited to confirm its capability to continue producing products that are identical to the verified design . The supplier of the product legally commits to ensuring that all products made available for sale , will be identical to the verified design .
4 STARS All requirements for a 3-Star rating will be complied with . In addition , a blind test will be performed on products to confirm the ongoing compliance . This now offers the supplier a choice of ‘ gradings ’ that best suit it as well as allowing them to upgrade as they develop .
There are two elements to verification and one for testing and these are together with the descriptions for the Product Compliance criteria :
Design verification This means that the product has been tested to confirm that the product design complies with all the requirements of the relevant SANS standard .
Product verification This means that the process of manufacturing is verified according to that of the manufactured product and is identical to the design that was originally tested .
Blind testing This means that the products are selected at random and subjected to tests to confirm that the product complies to its relevant SANS standards .
SA Watermark does not test , and the supplier has the option to choose their own test centre . Laboratories have rules to which they must adhere to and the main accreditation will be SANAS / ILAC which operates in line with the World Trade Organisation recommendations .
The Mark and use In all marketing material , the full logo and name can be used and on the product the logo can be used . PA
May 2021 Volume 27 I Number 3 www . plumbingafrica . co . za