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reasonable steps in place to ensure that, in
all likelihood, that product is the same and
everything which comes off that production line
will always comply.
Certification bodies can choose how long
their certification permits would be valid for.
Internationally, there are two practices: “The
traditional method employed by many companies
to this day is that the certification is perpetual;
as long as the manufacturer continues to
comply with the rules governing the certification
process. These rules will include regular
factory audits and random tests on samples. A
second tendency that is relatively new is for the
certification to last a defined period, such as
three or five years, and after that you have to re-
apply,” explains Strauss. This implies that instead
of ongoing random testing, when the certificate
expires, the full test and factory audit has to be
redone for the next period. The rules governing
certification are documented in the international
standard ISO 17065. This standard does not
prescribe for how long the certification permit
should be valid, it confirms that this period is the
decision of the certification body.
Every company which offers certification can also
offer their registered trademark logo to be stamped
on the product (like the highly recognised SABS
stamp). Strauss says that whether such a stamp is
as recognisable by plumbers as the SABS stamp
is entirely up to the certification body to promote in
order to gain market trust through credibility.
The Accreditation Act established SANAS as the
South African representative of ILAC (International
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) and this
Act indicates that while accreditation by SANAS
is not a requirement, it is recommended and
promoted. This means a testing laboratory
can test without being SANAS accredited.
The accreditation process is thorough, and a
laboratory can only be accredited once it has
been in operation some time. Strauss likens this
to a ‘chicken and egg’ dilemma – “How does a
laboratory get work if it is not accredited?” This
raises the barrier to entry, as the owner has to
effectively deliver free work to gain the required
experience.
It was for these reasons that the plumbing
industry came together and formed the SA
Watermark, which is a register of products that
have been tested or certified. The SA Watermark
does not do testing or certification. However,
it will verify the testing or certification status
of a product before registering it on the SA
Watermark register of products. This system
respects manufacturers’ freedom of choice to
choose which test or certification body they
would like to make use of. This freedom of
choice extends to international bodies. “The
national legislation allows for this freedom
of choice and the SA Watermark provides a
platform for manufacturers to exercise their
freedom of choice in a responsible manner,”
explains Strauss.
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Testing houses
Omega Test House is being managed by Allen
Scholtz. It is one of the new testing houses bridging
the testing shortfall that has arisen in South Africa.
“What differentiates Omega Test House,” says
Scholtz, “is the ability to utilise latest IoT (Internet of
Things) technologies into the testing procedures.”
This also adds the ability to do product research
and development (R&D). Its application for SANAS
accreditation is being processed and is expected
by year end, at which point it can broaden its
offering. Omega is a SA Watermark approved test
facility – this means it has been audited by third
party auditors to the SA Watermark requirements –
the objective of which is to promote confidence in
the operation of laboratories.
Omega Test House seeks to add value to its clients
by offering innovative solutions that go beyond
simple compliance with regulations and standards,
thus reducing risk and improving the performance
of their products.
Scholtz is a qualified electrician and plumber,
and held a technical signatory status at the
SABS Alternative Energy and Fluid Technology
Laboratories. Omega Test House currently has
the equipment to perform all test methods
encompassing the most common high-demand
plumbing products: water taps, vacuum breakers,
ball valve levers, non-return valves, single control
mixers, metering taps, spring-loaded non return
valves and more.
“The vision of the laboratory is to grow its
functionality and capability to service the
industry on all major products. Our competitive
edge is on cost and great partnerships with
IoT companies such as RCT (Rhizoo Christos
Technologies). We have developed a model for
constructing equipment which is more cost-
effective and more durable. Most replacement
parts are locally available, and this consequently
reduces downtime.”
Once a product has been successfully tested,
Omega Test House assists the client with the
paperwork to obtain the SA Watermark, getting
all the documentation ready for the submission.
Once SA Watermark approves it, the product
will be able to use the Watermark certification/
trademarked logo.
On the affordability of testing R&D products,
Scholtz explains: “It’s a lot cheaper than a
manufacturer continuing with development only
to find at the end stage that it is not compliant –
that’s when the expense becomes considerable.
We recommend manufacturers do the testing early
in the product development life cycle. We are then
in a position to guide them towards the final end
product. This saves enormously on the process of
trial-and-error.”
Alan Scrooby, technical signatory / laboratory
manager at Scrooby’s Laboratory, says, “Scrooby’s
Laboratory is a fully-equipped chemical and
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September 2019 Volume 25 I Number 7