Third Party Quality Inspections

Third-Party Quality Inspections

Tom Kolden, Manager of Auditing & Inspection Services

Element St. Paul

March 15, 2012 Third-Party Quality Inspections

Introduction

Story of my toaster


Point of this story?

It is frustrating to pay for something that does not have very good quality. In the case of the toaster, I merely wasted money.


WHEN QUALITY IS CRITICALFor products, materials, or

procedures that are critical for life safety, however, the ramifications of poor quality are much more substantial. Poor quality could cost lives.


Quality is also important for the purposes of production efficiency and timely completion of projects.

Poor quality can delay delivery of products and projects, and can cost money, time and reputation—it can cost future sales and possibly even lead to litigation.


IS ISO 9001 ENOUGH?Companies that have obtained quality

recognition under ISO 9001, for example, may require that their suppliers also have quality management system in place that help assure material traceability and product quality.


BUILDING CODES & QUALITYBuilding codes require building products to

be dependable for life safety. A manufacturer seeking to obtain 3rd party qualification of a product as complying with building code (from ICC Evaluation Service, for example) must have a suitable quality management system in place.


THE ROLE OF INSPECTIONClaims that a product or service meets quality requirements are not always enough. Frequently, companies that purchase products and materials require their vendors submit to ongoing inspections of their quality system by an independent quality agency.


Organizations like ICC Evaluation Service, which evaluates building products and materials, require independent inspections of a manufacturer on an annual or quarterly basis as a condition of the publication of a product evaluation.


Other regulatory agencies may also require ongoing independent inspections as well to provide verification of quality from companies in the applicable industries.


Manufacturers or potential clients, for example in the retail industry, may require their suppliers and vendors to submit to ongoing independent quality inspections as a condition of carrying their product.


MORE REASONS FOR INSPECTIONEven absent any outside requirements, a

business may consider independent quality inspections to assure customers of their commitment to quality, which may provide a competitive advantage in their industry.


So, if a business requires third-party, independent Quality inspections, what should they be looking for?

What qualifications are important?


QUALITIES OF A THIRD-PARTY AGENCY• Independent inspection expertise• Expertise relevant to your industry• Directly involved in testing of the same or similar types of products or materials• Experts familiar with industry associations and standards, who understand your issues and needs


Of course, even the independent quality agency must be accredited in order to demonstrate that their inspection services meet an international standard, usually ISO/IEC 17020, “General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspections.”


EXPLAINING ISO/IEC 17020ISO/IEC 17020 provides the standards for an inspection agency’s procedures for conducting business as an inspector of quality systems.


ISO/IEC 17020 addresses:• training requirements • inspection procedures• inspection safety• confidentiality• organization and management• customer complaints• and more.


Independent inspection agencies that are accredited to ISO/IEC 17020 have met higher standards for the services they provide and passed rigorous audits by an accrediting agency, demonstrating both compliance and competence.



ONGOING PROOF TESTING• Inspections sometimes requires ongoing

testing. • It is prudent for an inspection agency to

also offer testing services.

ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO/IEC 17025Agencies that conduct testing may or may

not be accredited under ISO 17025.

ISO 17025 is similar to 17020, but pertains to testing services rather than inspection. Ideally, the laboratory will hold accreditation to test items identical or similar to their client’s products.


ACCREDITATIONMany organizations,

including IAS, A2LA, and others, accredit agencies to conduct inspection and testing services to ISO/IEC 17020 and ISO 17025.


INDEPENDENT IN INDUSTRY• Quality system governing its practices for

testing and/or inspections• Proven competence• Ongoing audits on regular basis• Impartial and independent• Strict confidentiality


CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIESInspection Agencies must operate under

stringent confidentiality policies and guidelines in respect to their clients. All proprietary information is held in the strictest confidence.


ACCREDITATION ENSURES • Qualified inspectors• Independence from outside influences• Impartiality in assessing data• Effective inspection• Greater credibility



QUALITY PROCESS DEVELOPMENT• A manufacturing or service business must

prepare a quality manual and define its quality procedures as required.

• Also need to train personnel and document procedures in practice.

• Demonstrate traceability of process and materials.

PROCEDURE DEVELOPMENTAn inspection agency can support your

quality system by:• Assisting with the development of quality

system manual and procedures• Helping with training and procedure

implementation• Conducting initial, informal inspection


INITIAL AND ONGOING AUDITS• Audit procedures and records• Review past activities• Spot check records• Issue non-conformances where necessary

Non-conformances should be viewed as opportunities for process improvement



FOR THE LONG TERM• After several audits, non-conformances

usually become minor or rare.• Process improvements are likely to

improve client’s bottom line due to reductions in returns, complaints and rework.

CONFIRMATION OF YOUR QUALITYYour inspection agency will communicate to

the agency or business with whom you are working to validate your ongoing commitment to quality and assure them of the ongoing quality improvements of your process, product or material.


A WORD ABOUT USElement’s worldwide network of laboratories,

engineers, and industry experts help you identify any significant issues affecting quality, and provide initial as well as ongoing testing support.


Element has experts on staff experienced in independent inspection of products and materials for building and construction, and a broad range of other industries.



ELEMENT ST. PAUL• Accredited laboratory & inspection agency• Broad range of knowledge and expertise• Active in many industry groups,

associations and standards committees.• Independent and impartial• Strict confidentiality• Commitment to customer satisfaction

Questions?

Contact me:

Tom Kolden, Manager of Auditing & Inspection Services

Element Materials Technology

662 Cromwell Avenue, St. Paul MN 55114

Direct: 651-659-7340 [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Third Party Quality Inspections

Technology

icc evaluation

independent

independent

quality system

auditing amp

testing services

poor quality

life safety