Accreditation Process for Stack

Emission Organizations

Shadrack Phophi

Test & Measurement 2014 Conference, Muldersdrift

1. Introduction – Stack Emission

2. Regulatory requirements (AQA, 39 of 2004)

3. ISO/IEC 17025 standard

4. Accreditation process

5. What SANAS accreditation is not

Presentation layout

• Is the experimental process for evaluating the characteristics of

industrial waste gas stream emissions into the atmosphere

What is Stack Emission Testing?

Why obtain Source Emission Data?

• Chemical testing laboratories that wish to carry out stack

emission monitoring (i.e. emission testing and calibration of

continuous (automated) emission testing instruments are

required by law to be accredited.

Regulatory requirements

ISO/IEC 17025

• ISO/IEC 17025 contains the criteria necessary for a laboratory to implement in order for it to perform its test work competently

• Accreditation is independent and formal recognition of the competence a laboratory to perform specific tests etc.

• The criteria that a laboratory must comply with to be

internationally acceptable is ISO/IEC 17025.

By being accredited, the laboratory is demonstrating that these requirements, amongst others, have been

and continue to be met

Accreditation Process

Application

1. Application and Submission of the Quality Manual Review of the application by SANAS to determine the scope

and the expertise that will be required SANAS sending out the acknowledgement letter which also

spells out the processes that will follow.

Accreditation Process

Review QM

1. Document Review Carried out by a Lead Assessor

Document Review carried out against the ISO/IEC 17025 by a SANAS Lead Assessor

Document Review report to be given to the laboratory after

4 weeks. Laboratory is given 6 months to work on non-conformances

identified during the document review process.

Accreditation Process

Conduct Pre- assessment

1. Pre-Assessment (Optional)

Carried out only after a successful document review process

Normally carried out by one person i.e. the Lead Assessor.

Accreditation Process

Initial Assessment

Process Non-conformances

Approval process

1. Initial Assessment (minimum of 2 days) Initial Assessment is carried out by a full strength team i.e. a

team comprised of a Lead Assessor and Technical Assessors/Experts.

The time frame for initial assessment depends on many

factors such as:

i. Availability of the assessment team ii. SANAS receiving payment from the laboratory iii. Readiness of the laboratory

Accreditation Process

Laboratory is given a total of 6 months to work on non-conformances identified during the initial assessment.

When all the corrective actions have been accepted by the

assessment team, the assessment pack will be reviewed by the Approval Advisory Committee (AAC) within a month.

If the assessment team’s recommendation has been

approved, the laboratory will receive the Certificate and Schedule of Accreditation within 15 working days of the AAC meeting.

SANAS will invoice the laboratory a pro-rata annual fees

How we assess competence

a) Witnessing Assessment • Personnel member has competence for the activity performed • Personnel member’s competence are consistent with the

records • Personnel member has been supplied with all necessary

documented calibration/test methods and procedures • Procedures are up-to-date

• Procedures are implemented in full and correctly (no shot

cuts)

• Promptly record of all observations

• Facilities and equipment are fit for accreditation purpose

How we assess competence

Advantages of witnessing • Valid evidence

• Direct evidence

• Authentic evidence

• Sufficient evidence

How we assess competence

b) Vertical Assessment

Equipment Personnel

Environment Test Methods

Assuring the Quality of results

What SANAS Accreditation is not

• It is not merely a means of registering or listing someone or something

• It is not a management system review dressed up with some

scientific and technical elements

• It is not the recognition of future capabilities

• It is not the recognition of an individual’s qualifications • It is not a broad approval of everything a laboratory might do

Questions

Thank You

shadrackp@sanas.co.za