scope:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

When applicable, other American Wood Protection Association Standards shall be used with this Standard.

Production plant management is responsible for setting the plant-wide quality policy. A written manufacturing standard shall clearly specify a means of measuring quality performance against all relevant and applicable quality standards.

The production plant shall maintain a quality assurance department whose members are trained in quality control procedures. These members shall be responsible for conformance of treated products to all relevant standards and specifications and for the maintenance of equipment used to ensure conformity to standard.

Records shall be kept for each production lot. These records must allow for internal and third party audit of compliance with applicable standards and shall become a part of the producing plant's permanent file.

The production plant shall be equipped with a laboratory containing the equipment and supplies necessary for the proper analysis of the treated composite wood product. This laboratory shall be maintained in a clean and orderly condition and shall be restricted to the use for which it is intended.

Product not meeting the penetration and retention requirements of the applicable AWPA Standard shall either be destroyed, downgraded or sold as untreated. Treatment stamps and or end tags must be replaced or removed / obliterated to reflect the correct status of the material.

The Quality Department shall not release treated material for shipment until testing confirms it meets applicable AWPA Standards.

Material failing to meet treatment standards shall be down-graded and sold as untreated or otherwise disposed of in the manner provided for in the producing plants manufacturing standard.