scope:

INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

This document is a Recommended Practice for Inspection Bodies (IBs) operating in the gas, petroleum, petro-chemical, chemical processing, power-generation and related industries, whose primary responsibility is for pressure equipment. It presents a structured training, development and competency assessment scheme for inspection personnel and was developed by EEMUA in response to:

• the change from certification to accreditation, resulting from European Union (EU) legislation and standards

• increasing emphasis on the competency of individuals, eg during assessment of Inspection Bodies under the accreditation process

• the emergence of Engineering Surveyor National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), at Levels 4 and 5

• the development of API certification schemes for inspectors

• a changing relationship between User Inspectorates (UIs) and inspection contractors

Demonstration of the competence both of IBs and the individuals directly or indirectly employed in them is important in the present climate of new, often more prescriptive, legislation and its supporting standards, especially in the EU.

The criteria for Inspection Bodies are already defined - eg in the International standard ISO/IEC 17020 (was EN45004) "General Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspection", and the (UK) National Certification Scheme for In-Service Inspection Bodies (NCSIIB)*. Until now, however, there has been a paucity of authoritative statements of competencyc riteria for inspection personnel. The criteria in this Recommended Practice represent a consolidation and development of existing practices in the EEMUA member companies listed at Appendix I, and thus provide such a statement.

The main objective of this document is the provision of a structure for the technical and behavioural development of Examiners and their Technical Managers / Supervisors as described in Appendix II, throughout their careers. It remains the clear responsibility of local management to define the minimum competency requirements of its own staff and those of any inspection contractors. This document should assist in that process whilst offering recommendations for further competency development.

*(Note: The NCSIIB scheme was in Oct 98 phased out in favour of an accreditation scheme under the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The replacement Scheme is based on ISO/IEC 17020, and its schedules are being developed to take account oJ and benefit from, the earlier work by NCSIIB).