FEATURES
mechanical testing laboratory. The laboratory is capable
of testing a wide range of products from water to all
different matrixes of metal as well as certain tests on
plastics and polymers. Our major testing equipment
includes, a spectrograph capable of analysing iron, nickel,
copper aluminium and zinc bases.” It boasts three tensile
machines ranging from 10N to 600kN, an ICP (induction
coupled Plasma) for wet chemical analysis as well as an
FTIR, hardness testers and an impact tester.
“The range of products is large: we have in the past tested
baby nappies, soil, cosmetics and metals. If a customer
can supply a test method or specification, we will look into
what it would take to perform the tests as required by the
customer,” says Scrooby.
Scrooby’s Laboratory was the first laboratory in
South African to have SANAS accreditation for DZR
testing, having worked closely with the SABS to get
the accreditation. “We do not do certification due to
the diversification of the laboratory. In order to supply
certification you need to have dedicated personnel
and instrumentation for that specific requirement. The
laboratory has too wide a testing platform to accommodate
that at the moment.
“We have SANAS accreditation for spectrographic analysis,
tensile testing and dezincification resistance of brass. As
more of our clients requested accreditation, we felt it would
be in our best interests and those of our customers, to get
the accreditation in order to remain competitive in this small
industry of testing laboratories,” he says.
“We try and pride ourselves on a relatively quick
turnaround time. These times are very dependent on the
nature of the test, but our typical times are two to three
days for spectrographic analysis, and five to seven days
for most other testing. We are always open to discuss
problems with customers; we do not necessarily offer
consulting per se, but will gladly assist a customer in any
way we can,” says Scrooby.
Gerhard Holtzhausen, director and test engineer at Test
Africa, says, “We are electrical and electronic safety
specialists – household/ audio & video/ IT/ medical/
switches/ laboratory & control. We do more than 2 000
products a year on samples supplied by our customers.
We issue reports on completion of the testing, but don’t do
certification. Usually our reports are used to obtain LOA/ COC
from NRCS or Icasa. This gives our clients the opportunity
to export their products to most of the world. Our average
testing time is four to six weeks, and we apply for LOA
through NRCS and help with CE declarations.”
Conclusion
The process of testing and certification in South Africa has
evolved over time from a government-sponsored activity
(under SABS) to a user-pays model, and Strauss says he
would most like to see a fair market system where market
forces will ensure a balance between supply, demand and
quality of service.
Strauss summarises the testing and certification status quo:
• Testing and certification is an important cornerstone to
show that products comply to their national standards.
• The landscape is changing in South Africa with new
service providers offering these services.
55
“Prior to
2000, SABS
tested,
certified
and wrote
standards,
but thereafter
that
responsibility
was split so
that its core
function
remained
writing
standards.”
• The new environment leads to wider compliance
with national legislation in a market where choice is
respected.
• The winner at the end is the South African consumer,
who will get quality, safe products at competitive
prices. PA
Durability testing equipment.
September 2019 Volume 25 I Number 7
www.plumbingafrica.co.za