Certification

 

SATAS (South African Timber Auditing Services) is honoured to have independent experts from the preservation, sawmilling, adhesive and certification fields on the Certification Board.

 

Members of the Board

* Mario Lombaard - Adhesive Technology/Certification
* Eddie Bock - Civil Engineering Roof Trusses
* Angus Currie - Preservative Treatment
* Roly Adams - Rooftruss Systems
* Prof Walter Burdzik – Engineering Council of South Africa

 

Certification Board Procedure

 

 

1.  Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that the Certification Board is Operational and fair in all its decisions.      

 

2.  Scope

This procedure covers the activities and the responsibilities of the Certification Board members and is applicable to all  members.

 

3.  References

      ISO Guide 65

      IAF Guidance to the application of ISO Guide 65

 

4.  Definitions

      CB   Certification Board

       MD  Managing Director

      CAD   Complaints Appeals Disputes

 

5.      Activities

 

5.1     Appointment and Composition

5.1.1 The MD of SATAS shall appoint all members of the Certification Board.  

         The CB will consist of SATAS members as well as members who may

         be appointed from Industry to ensure impartiality.

5.1.2 Members of the CB are chosen for their relevant technical expertise, 

        experience and knowledge of Certification and the Industry.

5.1.3 A list of the nominated members shall be maintained by SATAS.    

         Members for each meeting shall be selected from the CB list of    

         members in such a way so as to ensure confidentiality of commercial  

         interests.

5.1.4 The MD may request attendance of non members to assist the CB members with any technical aspects in order to make a sound judgement.

5.1.5  At least one member on the CB shall be from SATAS .

5.1.6  SATAS MD shall appoint a Chairperson for each meeting.

5.1.7 SATAS shall be responsible for all administration concerning CB meetings.

5.1.8  Members of the CB shall declare any relationships they have or have had within the past two years with any organization on the CB agenda. This will be done on the disclosure form.

5.1.9   No person other than those mentioned above will be allowed to attend a CB meeting without the written approval of the MD of SATAS.

 

5.2     Certification Board Duties

5.2.1  Review  and approve submissions for;

ØNew Companies

ØAdditions to scope of approved companies

ØPermit cyclic reviews

ØCancellation

5.2.2     The CB shall evaluate the documentation only if submitted with   

Complete Certificate Holder’s  file and base decision on information on assessment/inspection and the Certification criteria. Comments will be recorded on the MS 6 checklist.

5.2.3  The CB makes all final decisions regarding the granting of certification     

           and Compliance status. SATAS shall make all final decisions regarding  

           the withdrawal of a Certificate based on the CB recommendation.

5.2.4     The CB can make recommendations to SATAS on the performance of

           any auditor.

5.2.5.  Minutes of the CB meetings shall be kept by SATAS

5.2.6     The CB will consider the following:

a)    Were the product standards on application within the scope of      

Accreditation at time of application.

b)    Was the assessment/product inspection performed against the

      requirements of the quality system, Certification Conditions and the   

     relevant Product Standard.

c)     Does the applicant have the capability, capacity, and expertise to

     manufacture product to the satisfaction of the Standard and SATAS.

d)    Has the applicant complied with the requirements of the Certification Conditions and the relevant standards.

e)    Should the decision of the CB differ from the recommendation

      made by the assessment team, the CB shall refer the application  

      back to SATAS for the necessary action.

f)      Have all outstanding Corrective actions been closed out.

g)    Were CAD ‘s handled satisfactorily ?

 

6           Confidentiality

Each Certification Board member shall sign an confidentiality undertaking.

 

 

7           Responsibilities

 SATAS shall not delegate decision for granting or decisions on status of    

 any  permit to any outside person or body.

 Submission of documentation……...Auditor

 Call for meeting……………………...          MD

 Agenda & minutes………………….. Chairman

 

8           Records

·       Certification Board Checklist…….MS 6

 

 

Certification Application

 

 

1.  Purpose

This procedure lays down the activities and responsibilities applicable to the process from permit application to certification of an interested potential client.

 

2.  Scope

This document is applicable to all SATAS auditors handling certification applications and covers all activities up to the issue of the certificate.

 

 3.  References

       ISO Guide 65

       IAF Guidance on application of ISO Guide 65

       Procedure P11

 

 4.  Definitions                 

       N/A

 

5.  Activities

5.1  General

The following procedure applies when a potential client expresses an interest to certify product under  the SATAS Product Certification Scheme.

 

5.2  Initial visit

       Make an appointment to visit the client. During the initial visit the quality commitment of SATAS  and the type of service is discussed. The quality commitment of the client is also gauged. The general certification conditions and application procedure are discussed to ensure that the client understands the requirements and copies of these documents are left with the client. An application form MS 1 is handed to the client and the client information sheet MS 2 is completed. The application is reviewed by the auditor to ensure that all the information provided is correct and that the person signing the form has the authority to make the application. If the application does not fall within the scope of SANAS Accreditation, the applicant is to be made aware of this. The application is reviewed for SATAS capability to perform the assessment and surveillance audits (complete MS74). The auditor signs the MS74, taking ownership of the project.

      The initial visit can be replaced by e mail, telephone or any other form of effective communication, provided the auditor is acquainted with the applicant’s factory and quality system.

5.3  Quotation

           On acceptance of the application, the auditor prepares a quote (MS 3 & 31), ensuring that the minimum standard tariffs are adhered to. Any deviation  from the minimum tariff is to be approved by the Managing Director in writing. On receipt of the acceptance of the quotation a ‘Request for Invoice’ (MS 29) is generated and sent to Durban Office together with a copy of the ‘Client Information Sheet’ (MS 2) and VAT Registration Certificate.        

5.4  Payment

        Once payment is received the sequence of events is planned     (MS22).

5.5  Document Evaluation

        The applicant shall submit all Quality System documents for 

         evaluation to SATAS at least 3 weeks prior to the assessment. 

         Alternatively, the documents can also be evaluated on site during pre-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

         certification visits, and the final evaluation during assessment.      

5.6 Assessment

     An assessment schedule (MS 34) shall be made available to the  

     applicant at least 7 days prior to the assessment.

          The assessment will be conducted on site and will include the following.

5.6.1  System Process

The Quality system shall be evaluated for compliance with the documented system using a checklist (MS 7) as a guide line. The assessment of the quality system is carried out as per Procedure P11 ‘System Audits’, Section 5.1 ‘Activities’. The first two sentences and second to last sentence of Section 5.1 are not applicable to the assessment.

 

5.6.2      Product

A random sample of the product shall be drawn from each product type for which certification is required. The sampling plan in the relevant Standard is used. If the Standard does not prescribe a sampling plan, a sample is drawn in accordance with Table 1 of ‘A Practical Approach To Quality Control’ by R.H. Caplan.  All samples are identified with the inspection mark.

5.6.3  If the assessment is successful the relevant documentation, as listed in The ‘Documentation Checklist’ (MS 6) shall be submitted to  the Certification Board for consideration, but, only after clearance of the findings raised. In the event of an unsuccessful      assessment, another assessment shall be conducted at the client’s cost. Refer to ‘Assessment Letter’  MS 4 and Certification Board Approval MS 24, i.r.o. recommendations for certification.      

         The application is valid for six months where after the application and process will be re-evaluated      for further action.    

5.7  Issue of permit

If the application is approved by the Certification Board the preparation of the documentation proceeds. Information describing the product

type, preservative type, hazard class, grading rule, grade and end application will be entered on the schedule of certification MS 25. The certificate shall be handed to the  applicant within one month of approval.

         

6.  Responsibilities

      Initial visit……………………   Area Auditor

      Quotation……………………   Area Auditor

       Pre-Permit ………………….  Area Auditor

       Recommendation ………….. Area Auditor

       Approval…………………….. Certification Board

       Certificate …………..……..             Managing Director

       Handing over……………….  On decision

 

7.  Records

 

·       Application                                                                     MS 1

·       Client Information Sheet                                                 MS 2

·       Quotation/Agreement                                                     MS 3

·       Assessment Letter                                                         MS 4

·       Product evaluation report                                                MS 5

·       Certification Board Documentation Checklist                    MS 6

·       Assessment/Audit Checklist                                            MS 7

·       Product Inspection Forms                                               MS 11,12,13,14

·       Assessment/Audit Report                                               MS 20

·       Assessment Plan                                                           MS 22

·       Certification Board Approval                                             MS 24

·       Request for Invoice                                                        MS 29

·       Quotation Calculation                                                     MS 31

·       Assessment Schedule                                                     MS 34

·       Capability Review                                                                MS74

·       Certification Conditions

·       Certificate