About APLAC - aplac.tmp.4mation.com.au · About APLAC APLAC is an organisation of accreditation...

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About APLACAPLAC is an organisation of accreditation bodies in the Asia Pacific area that have expressed a desire to cooperate in fostering the development of competent laboratories, inspection bodies and reference material producers in member economies.

Cooperation is to include:

• Exchange of information

• Joint training programs

• Proficiency testing

• Harmonisation of requirements

• Mutual recognition of systems meeting harmonised requirements

APLAC NEWS NOTES is published four times a year to facilitate the exchange of information among members and interested

parties. It is not copyrighted and may be reproduced in full. Excerpts should

reference APLAC News Notes specifically. Wide copying and distribution are encouraged.

APLAC also maintains a web site at:www.aplac.org

Secretariat for APLAC:

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)

Level 1, 675 Victoria Street

Abbotsford VIC 3067

Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9274 8200

Fax: +61 3 9421 0887

Email: [email protected]

This issue is a generic publication published by APLAC, PAC and IAAC

Produced by NATA

7 Leeds St, Rhodes NSW 2138, Australia

Tel: +61 2 9736 8222

Fax: +61 2 9743 5311

Contact: Mrs Susan Jones

Email: [email protected]

The next issue will be published in December 2010 By the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).

Issue No. 104September 2010 APLAC News Notes

In this issue:• From the Secretariat

• IAAC News

• PAC News

• Joint evaluation activities between APLAC and PAC

• News from EMA

• News from CNAS

• News from TAF

• MRA Success Stories

• News from NATA

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APLAC NEWS NOTESFrom the APLAC Secretariat

It has been a busy three months for the APLAC Secretariat as Michael and Janet settle in a new working routine that now spans two states.

On 30 June we farewelled Helen Liddy. A very enjoyable lunch was held in the NATA Melbourne office in Helen’s honour and she received many gifts and accolades.

The following words are part of a tribute from one of our members….

“Looking back over all the years you have served NATA and accreditation it is certainly a career of distinction and one for which you can be justifiably proud. ….. many technical assessors have spoken highly of the contribution you personally have made to chemical testing industry in Australia and the unerring commitment to raising the quality standards of accredited laboratories to where they are today.

Latterly, in your international role, the APLAC, ILAC and OECD communities have benefitted from your tireless application and preparedness to go the extra mile, and from the insight you bring to the table that only experience can provide. It has bought great credit and respect to NATA and further enhanced NATA’s continuing leadership in these technical activities. You will be sorely missed”.

Helen Liddy, former APLAC Secretary and Janet Clark, APLAC Administration Coordinator pictured at Helen’s function on June 30, 2010

APLAC Training Courses

Two training courses are scheduled to be held in September:

• ISO/IEC 17043 to be held in Chinese Taipei from 14-16 September

• ISO Guide 34:2009 to be held in the People’s Republic of China from 20-22 September

At the time of publication the ISO/IEC 17043 course was fully booked and registrations have closed for the Guide 34 course.

It is with much sadness that we farewell Mr Ned Gravel, formerly of CALA, who for many years facilitated APLAC training courses. Ned has left CALA to take up the position of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Director Americas at EXOVA in Toronto.

We thank Ned very much for his many and varied contributions to APLAC and wish him all the best in his new position.

Meetings

Dr Helen Liddy and Michael Fraser attended the 17th PAC Plenary in Wellington, New Zealand in June. Due to the resignation of Ms. Elva Nilsen as PAC Chair an election was held and Mr Shinichi Iguchi Secretary-General of JAB (Japan) was elected as Chair of PAC. The incoming Chair of PAC has been formally invited to attend the APLAC Board of Management meetings and a reciprocal invitation has also been extended to the Chair of APLAC. This involvement of the Chairs on an executive level will hopefully improve the working relationship between APLAC and PAC.

Recent experiences in conducting joint APLAC / PAC evaluations and the approaches taken to coordinate the evaluations were discussed. The revision to the Memorandum of Understanding between APLAC and PAC was reviewed by the PAC Executive Committee and it is anticipated that the revised MOU will be signed in Osaka in December 2010.

Michael will be representing APLAC at the SCSC meetings in Sendai, Japan, in September and he will report more on this in a later edition of APLAC News Notes.

Michael will also be representing APLAC at the ILAC General Assembly and associated meetings in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China in October. Again, Michael will report on these meetings in a later edition.

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The website for APLAC 2010 has been launched at www.aplac2010osaka.jp

We encourage all members to visit the website and register for the meetings and book their accommodation.

Michael and Janet are looking forward to seeing everyone again in Osaka in December.

Zhang Mingxia of CNAS, People’s Republic of China will be conducting an audit of the APLAC Secretariat in November. Dates for the audit are still to be confirmed.

New Office for the Secretariat

After many years in North Melbourne, NATA’s Melbourne office has moved.

As of Monday 30 August our address in Melbourne is:

1st Floor, 675 Victoria Street

Abbotsford VIC 3067 AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 3 9274 8200

Fax: +61 3 9421 0887

Michael and Janet’s email addresses remain unchanged as does [email protected]

— Michael and Janet

IAAC NewsThe InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) is a regional association of accreditation bodies and other organizations interested in conformity assessment in the Americas.

IAAC promotes cooperation among accreditation bodies and interested parties of the Americas, aiming at the development of conformity assessment structures to achieve the improvement of products, processes and services and to reduce risk for business and its customers by assuring them that accredited certificates may be relied upon. In 1996, IAAC was created in Montevideo, Uruguay. It became a legal entity based in Mexico in 2000.

Today IAAC has 23 full members, 7 associate members and 11 stakeholders among South America, North America, Central America and Caribbean region (6 signatories to QMS scope, 5 EMS scope, 5 product certification, 15 testing and 10 calibration) (the table below shows the distribution by region of countries involved in IAAC). IAAC signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) with the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) with a scope in Testing and Calibration Laboratories, and also signed a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) with the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) with a scope in Quality Management Systems (QMS), on November 12, 2006 in Cancun, Mexico at the IAF/ILAC Joint General Assemblies. The evaluation of IAAC for expansion of its MLA for Certification of Environmental Management Systems, Product Certification and Inspection is underway.

IAAC COuNTrIES dISTrIbuTION by rEGION

South America

North America

Central America

Caribbean

Number of Countries 4 3 5 4

Number of Organizations 18 12 5 5

The 15th General Assembly was held in 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In addition to the General Assembly, there were meetings of IAAC Committees and Subcommittees, a workshop for peer evaluators and a Seminar on the relationship between accreditation bodies, the regulators and the market.

IAAC 15th General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Beatriz Garcia, IAAC Chair on the middle, Ileana Martinez, IAAC Vice-Chair on the left, and Victor Gandy, IAAC secretary on the right).

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New IAAC signatories of the IAAC MLA

• Organismo Uruguayo de Acreditación (OUA) of Uruguay was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025), as of March 22, 2010.

• Forensic Quality Services (FQS) of the United States of America was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025), as of March 22, 2010.

• Instituto Nacional de Normalización (INN) was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for testing laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 15189) and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025), as of March 22, 2010.

• Entre Costaricense de Acreditación (ECA), Costa Rica, was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025), as of March 22, 2010.

• American Industrial Hygiene Association, Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC (AIHA-LAP) of United States was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for testing (ISO/IEC 17025), as of August 22, 2010.

• American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) of United States was accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for product certification (ISO/IEC Guide 65) as of August 22, 2010.

• Entitdad Mexicana de Acreditación (ema) Mexico and American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) of United States were accepted as a signatory to the IAAC MLA for inspection (ISO/IEC 17020). These are the first two signatories for the inspection MLA which will be signed when three signatories have been approved.

New IAAC members

• Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) from Jamaica since May 31st, 2010

• Organismo Nacional de Acreditación de Colombia (ONAC) from Colombia since May 31st, 2010

New accreditation programs

In order to meet the demands of their expanding economies, IAAC members continue to develop new programs, such as:

Management system certification bodies

• ISO 13485:2003 - Medical devices - Quality management systems -- Requirements for regulatory purposes – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

• ISO/IEC 20000 - Information Technology – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

• ISO 10012:2003 - Measurement management systems -- Requirements for measurement processes and measuring equipment – offered by Cgcre - Brazil

Product certification bodies

• Organic products according to the Brazilian regulation (Decree 6323 of December 27th, 2007 and Law 10831 of December 23rd, 2003) – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

• Electrical field – ONA – Paraguay

• Requirements for certification of practices for workplace equality between women and men (NMX-R-025-SCFI-2009) – offered by EMA – México

• For certification of sustainable Forest (NMX-AA-143-SCFI-2008) – offered by EMA – México

• Personnel certification bodies

• Auditors of electrical installations – offered by OAA - Argentina

Inspection bodies

• Electrical installations (ABNT NBR 5410:2004 – Low-voltage electrical installations) – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

• agreement with regulators of natural gas for inspection bodies for all the distribution channel (exploration, distribution, installation) from production to household – offered by INDECOPI /SNA – Peru.

• Crime scene for forensic - in preparation to be offered by Forensic Quality Services (FQS) – USA

Laboratories

• Clinical Testing Laboratories (ISO 15189:2008 - Medical laboratories — Particular requirements for quality and competence) – offered by Cgcre – Brazil, SCC – Canada, JANAAC - Jamaica

• Biometrics testing – offered by NVLAP - USA

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• Personal body armor testing - offered by NVLAP – USA

• Forensic – offered by EMA – México

• Research - offered by EMA – México

reference Material Producers

• Pilot Project for Accreditation of Reference Material Producers according to the requirements of ISO Guide 34 in combination with the standard ISO/IEC 17025 – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

Proficiency Testing Providers

• Pilot Project for the Accreditation of Proficiency Testing Providers according to the requirements of ILAC G:13/2007 – offered by Cgcre – Brazil

• Accreditation of proficiency testing providers, according to the ISO/IEC 17043:2010. Program for milk and milk powder – offered by OAA - Argentina

Green house gases

• ISO 14065 (Greenhouse gases -- Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition) – offered by SCC – Canada and EMA – Mexico

Monitoring of compliance with the Principles of GLP

• Monitoring of compliance with the Principles of Good Laboratory Practice following the directives of the Organization for the Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) - non-clinical health and environmental studies – offered by OAA - Argentina

International cooperation

Project OAS 2007-2011

IAAC has begun the last phase of the technical cooperation project sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS) from August 2010 until June 2011 and Coordinated by Cgcre- Brazil. In this period, IAAC has received $203,000 USD. Last year IAAC has also received the same amount, from which 90% of the scheduled activities were carried out.

Proposal for the Project to OAS 2011-2015

For the next period of 4 years, a new accreditation body will be designated to be the coordinator and a working group will be created to develop the new project proposal.

PTb Project 2009-2010

• IAAC keeps its technical cooperation project with Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) from Germany. The activities carried out include among others:

• Seminar of good accreditation practices carried out in Asunción, Paraguay, in June 2010.

• 3 trainings in ema, México, to ABs developing schemes for inspection bodies in November 2009.

• Qualification for peer evaluators in training.

Cooperation with SAdCA and AFrAC:

Víctor Gandy, IAAC Secretariat, attended to the third seminar relative to the creation of the African Cooperation in Accreditation (AFRAC) in Cairo, Egypt, in April 2010.

News on documents

In an effort to streamline the evaluation process, the IAAC MLAG has revised or developed numerous forms and documents:

• FM 001 IAAC MLA Application form – revised application format for bodies applying for recognition, including a detailed list of documents the applicant is required to submit.

• FM 002 Check Report on Application – review form for the executive secretary to verify the application

• FM 003 Check list for peer evaluation (in Spanish) – List with ISO/IEC 17011 requirements, including A5 (guidance), with reference to KPIs (A3), with space for ABs to list documentation submitted and evaluators to put note.

• FM 004 IAAC Evaluation Program Template – an evaluation plan including ISO 17011 with columns for assignment of responsibilities for team members.

• FM 005 IAAC Template for Findings Responses and Reactions – an organized listing of nonconformities, concerns and comments, responses from the AB and reaction from evaluation team.

• FM 006 Evaluator CV – a detailed curriculum vitae form to be completed by applicant evaluators.

• FM 007 IAAC Performance Log for Team Member- evaluation to be completed by the team leader.

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• FM 008 IAAC Performance Log for Team Leader – evaluation to be completed by the team member.

• FM 009 AB Letter on Team Leaders Performance – template request from the MLA Committee requesting feedback on the team´s performance.

• FM 010 Review of Application for IAAC Peer Evaluator – form to evaluate candidates for participation in IAAC peer evaluator training courses.

• FM 011 Declaration of Impartiality and Confidentiality – used for peer evaluation team, MLA group members, MLA secretariat and observers at MLA meetings.

• FM 012 IAAC Witness Report – provides guidance for witness reporting for evaluation team.

• FM 013 Performance Review of IAAC Peer Evaluator - form summarizing the decisions in relation to qualifications

• MD 001 - IAAC Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA). This document describes the elements of a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) for: a) testing / calibration / medical or clinical laboratory accreditation, b) certification body accreditation and c) inspection body accreditation.

• MD 002 - Policies and Procedures for a Multilateral Recognition Agreement among Accreditation Bodies. This document defines the policies and procedures of the Inter American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC) to establish, maintain and extend a Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (IAAC MLA) among accreditation bodies that are signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of IAAC.

These forms and documents were all introduced to peer evaluators during the peer evaluator´s workshop held during the IAAC 15th General Assembly meeting. They are all available on the IAAC website in the document section.

Proficiency testing programs

There are many proficiency programs being carried out at present and some other to begin, such as:

• Proficiency testing for the determination of preservatives in juices, in the preliminary report stage in which 32 laboratories from 10 countries of APLAC, 1 from SADCA and 9 from IAAC.

• Thermocouples intercomparison in the stage of sending equipment to laboratories.

• Determination of Zn, Fe, K, Ca, P, Mg, Na and Vitamin C in powder milk to begin in October 2010.

• Proficiency testing: traction in steel.

• Percentage composition in wheat powder during 2011

Future training programs

• Training course for new peer evaluators in March, 2011 in Lima, Peru.

• Worskhop on the part 2 of ISO/IEC 17021 in oct - dec in USA.

• Peer evaluators course in August 2011 in Ecuador.

• Course on IAF/ILAC A5 to accreditation bodies before March 2011, Costa Rica

Future trends

IAAC is working with its members to develop new MLA recognitions for the region. Members have expressed interest in the areas of personnel certification, information security, food safety management system and green house gases. A recent survey has shown that at least 7 ABs are accrediting in the area of personnel certification in a variety of schemes. A resolution was passed to begin work on the MLA for certification of persons expected to be ready by late 2011.

The next IAAC General Assembly will be held in August 2011 in Quito, Ecuador.

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PAC Mission:To represent the interests of Asia-Pacific economies nationally, regionally and internationally in the area of certification body accreditation and related activities, in support of APEC, IAF and WTO/TBT aims and objectives.

update on PAC ActivitiesSeptember 2010

PAC 17th Plenary: The 17th PAC Plenary meetings were hosted by JAS-ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) in Wellington, New Zealand from 12 to 19 June 2010. More than 80 delegates attended, representing accreditation and certification organisations from 23 individual economies, APEC Specialist Regional Bodies (SRBs), IAF regional group members, stakeholders and other interested parties. PAC thanks JAS-ANZ for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation during the week.

The Hon Tim Groser, NZ Minister for Trade

A traditional Mauri Powhiri

Seminar and Open Forum: A highlight of the meetings was the opening ceremony (a traditional Maori Powhiri) followed by a welcome from the Hon Tim Groser New Zealand Minister of Trade. The key note address by Mr John Hulbert, former CEO of JAS-ANZ and the inaugural Chair of PAC, highlighted future challenges for accreditation within our región. Speakers Prof. Ann Smith of carboNZero Strategic Business Unit (Division of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited), Dr Michelle Glogau CEO of BioGro NZ and Dianne Schumacher - Regulatory Manager of Fonterra discussed the impacts and benefits of accreditation and certification on the supply chain and the wider impact this has on market access of products and services to new markets. A major concern of all speakers was growth in the number of schemes (both private and regulatory) that producers and manufacturers need to comply with to access markets, and the need for rationalisation of audit and assessment processes.

The afternoon’s Open Forum included some lively discussions on integrity assurance within the accreditation and certification communities, with presentations by Anil Jauhri (NABCB),Yoshi Kameyama (JAB) and James Galloway (JAS-ANZ).

Plenary Training Activities: Delegates participated in a number of training events during the Plenary, including a 2-day workshop for Trainee Peer Evaluators, a training course on GLOBALG.A.P. food safety certification program, and a follow up to the very successful February 2010 workshop on organic certification. Practical activities included a technical visit to an organic winery and a carbón-neutral winery, presentations by organic farmers and a Wellington Taxi Cab company that is also carbón neutral.

PAC Membership: PAC currently has a total of 28 members comprised of 26 Full Members and 2 Associate Members. Membership applications from 3 other potential Associate Members are currently being considered.

Legal Status of PAC: Following the unanimous adoption of the PAC Constitution, fifteen of the oldest PAC members signed an application to incorporate PAC as a not for profit association during the recent PAC annual meetings in Wellington. The documents have been submitted and it is expected that incorporation will be finalized shortly.

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PAC Office bearers: Mr Shinichi Iguchi of JAB (Japan) was elected as Chair of PAC at the meetings in Wellington. Other appointments were: Vice Chair – Mr B Venkataraman of NABCB (India); Chair of Technical Committee – Mr Ekanit Romyanon of NAC (Thailand), Chair of PAC MLA Management Committee and MLA Group – Mr Brett Abraham of JAS-ANZ (Australia and New Zealand). The latter two Chairs were also elected to the PAC Executive Committee. Nominations are currently being sought for two voting positions on the PAC MLAMC and it is expected that these shall be filled shortly. Ms Zakiyah of KAN (Indonesia) was appointed to the position of PAC Quality Manager.

PAC is also pleased to announce a new Chair and Vice Chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee (CMC) - Dr Il-Geun Oh of KAB, Rep. of Korea and Mr Ronald Coiner of IAS USA respectively.

PAC MLA Activities: NSC (Thailand) formally signed the PAC MLA for Product at the Wellington meetings. PAC is currently processing 5 new applications to join the Product MLA and one new application for the EMS MLA. PAC is preparing to launch new MLAs for FSMS, ISMS, and Persons. Some PAC members are interested in developing a GHG MLA, but there is no official action planned in this field yet.

Further information on PAC and PAC activities is available at www.apec-pac.org or by contacting the PAC Secretary, Ms belinda Mort at Ph +612 6345 5828 or email [email protected].

CurrENT PAC MLA SIGNATOry STATuS OF FuLL MEMbErS:

JAS-ANZ (Australia & New Zealand) 1, 2, 3 SCC (Canada) 1, 2, 3

CNAS (PR China) 1, 2, 3 DAC (Dubai)

HKAS (Hong Kong, China) 1 NABCB (India) 1, 2

KAN (Indonesia) 1, 2, 3 IAS (Iran)

JAB (Japan) 1, 2 JASC (Japan)

JIPDEC (Japan) NCA (Kazakhstan)

KAB (Korea) 1, 2 KAS (Korea) 3

STANDARDS MALAYSIA (Malaysia) 1, 2, 3 ema (Mexico) 1, 2, 3

MASM (Mongolia) PNAC (Pakistan)

PAO (Philippines) 1, 2 SAC (Singapore) 1, 3

SLAB (Sri Lanka) TAF (Chinese Taipei) 1, 2, 3

NSC (Thailand) 1, 2, 3 ANSI (USA) 3

IAS (USA) STAMEQ (Vietnam) 1

Legend: 1 = QMS Signatory; 2 = EMS Signatory; 3 = Product Signatory

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PAC-KAS training course on ISO/IEC 17011 and ISO/IEC Guide 65

The Korea Accreditation System (KAS) hosted a training course in Seoul from August 9 to 13, 2010, on ISO/IEC 17011 and ISO/IEC Guide 65. Mr. Ekanit Romyanon (NSC, Thailand), Chair of the PAC Technical Committee, was the instructor for the sessions on ISO/IEC 17011; Mr. B. Venkataraman (NABCB, India), Chair of the PAC Developing Programs Committee, was the instructor for the sessions on ISO/IEC Guide 65.

The program drew 23 Korean participants and 10 international participants representing Brunei, China, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. KAS provided sponsorship for six participants from developing economies. Successful participants from Korea can apply for positions as KAS assessors. The training program covered the various standards and guides related to accreditation and product certification, including ISO/IEC 17011, ISO/IEC Guide

65, ISO/IEC 17065(CD2), ISO/IEC Guide 7, ISO/IEC 17007, and ISO/IEC Guides 23, 27 and 28. As part of the course KAS, Standards Malaysia and the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation explained their product certification schemes and shared their experience and knowledge with the group. Field trips also gave participants the opportunity to visit the headquarters of the Korea Testing Laboratory and the Korea Energy Management Corporation and to learn more about those organizations and their product certification schemes.

KAS has received very positive feedback from participants regarding the training course. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and thanks to the instructors and all the participants for making it a great success.

Joint Evaluation Activities between APLAC & PACAs a service to its common members who are signatories to both the APLAC MRA and PAC MLA, the APLAC MRA Council and PAC MLA Management Committee are embarking on a project to provide a framework for the conduct of joint evaluation activities. Such cooperation is a natural consequence is the strengthening relationship between the two regional co-operations that continues to evolve since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding. Where practical and procedural considerations allow, such joint evaluation activities have the potential to provide significant cost savings to eligible members - particularly around minimising the resources required and inevitable disruptions incurred by member bodies hosting evaluations by both APLAC and PAC.

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The respective committees have formed a joint working group, including both the APLAC MRA Council Chair, Mr Barry Ashcroft of IANZ and the PAC MLA Committee Chair, Mr Brett Abraham of JAS-ANZ to work through consideration of the issues and to draft a framework document to facilitate joint evaluations activities and to provide guidance for their implementation. The joint working group has considered the experience gained and lessons learned from recent joint activities at JAS-ANZ, Australasia and SAC, Singapore and have produced early drafts of a committee working document which, at the time of writing, was being circulated for comment among the joint working group. It is hoped that a committee draft will be available for wider comment at up-coming meetings of the APLAC MRA Council and PAC MLA Management Committee.

barry Ashcroft, APLAC MRA Council Chair and brett Abraham, Chair of the PAC MLA Committee

México ya cuenta con el Programa para Acreditar Organismos Verificadores / Validadores de Gases Efecto InvernaderoEl 28 de Agosto de 2009, fue publicado en el Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) el Programa Especial de Cambio Climático 2009-2012 (PECC), como parte de la Estrategia Nacional de Cambio Climático 2007, con la cual México busca un primer posicionamiento en régimen internacional de atención al cambio climático.

Desde octubre de 2009 y en apego a dichas iniciativas, la entidad mexicana de acreditación a,c, (ema) inició los trabajos para desarrollar e implementar el Programa de acreditación de los organismos responsables de validar y verificar las emisiones de gases efecto invernadero (GEI).

Fue el pasado 12 de abril que ema publicó su disponibilidad para recibir las solicitudes de los futuros Organismos Verificadores / Validadores de Gases Efecto Invernadero, bajo la norma internacional ISO 14065 “Gases efecto invernadero – Requisitos para organismos de validación y verificación de gases efecto invernadero u otras formas de reconocimiento”.

Esta acción permitirá entre otros, que las empresas que han participado de manera voluntaria en la elaboración de inventarios de Gases de Efecto Invernadero a través del Programa GEI México, puedan contar con organismos de tercera parte que verifiquen y validen

de manera confiable el cumplimiento de la reducción de emisiones GEI (20% para 2020 y en 50% para el 2050), así como los Proyectos de reducción y/o mitigación.

Mexico already has the Accrediting Program for bodies verifiers / validators of Greenhouse GasesOn August 28, 2009, was published in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF), the Special Climate Change Program 2009-2012 (PECC) as part of the National Climate Change Strategy 2007, which Mexico seeks a first position in the international regime of attention to climate change.

Since October 2009 and in adherence to these initiatives, the mexican accreditation entity a, c, (ema) began work to develop and implement the program of accreditation of bodies responsible for validating and verifying emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG).

It was last April 12 that ema published his willingness to receive requests for future validation and verification bodies of Greenhouse Gases under the international standard ISO 14065 Greenhouse gases — Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition.

This action will allow, among other things, that companies that have voluntarily participated in the inventories of Greenhouse Gases trough Mexico GHG Program, can rely on third-party bodies that verify and validate reliably the performance of GHG emission reduction (20% by 2020 and 50% by 2050), as well as reduction projects and / or mitigation.

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World Accreditation Day celebrations in MexicoFrom 7 to June 10, EMA conducted the third week of Accreditation, in commemoration of 9 June: World Day for Accreditation.

On this occasion, June 7 was devoted to clinical laboratories and testing and 8 June to calibration laboratories.

The 50 participants of medical laboratories meetings had the opportunity to learn about international developments in this field. It was also explained by the National Metrology Center (CENAM), the documentation of metrological traceability of clinical laboratory measurements.

About 250 people attended the testing laboratories meetings and 90 attended the calibration laboratories meetings. On these sessions, officials of the Directorate General of Standards of the Ministry of Economy, National Water Commission, CONAGUA and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, STPS, unveiled the importance of agencies Conformity Assessment technically competent and reliable to support significantly compliance with rules to safeguard our security, health and environment

On June 8, also took place the conferences of certification bodies that were attended by 60 participants who had the opportunity to learn about the sustainable forests certification, the gender equity standard and appellations of origin.

10 June focused on inspection bodies, with the assistance of 140 people. On these conferences the authorities of the Ministry of Labor and Social, STPS; Secretariat of Communications and Transports, SCT; and Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food , SAGARPA, unveiled the existing verification programs in each of their areas. For the third time on 9 June in several countries, was celebrated with joy the World Accreditation Day, and Mexico was no exception and the community who make up the Mexican System of Metrology, Standardization and Conformity Assessment, us gather to commemorate this important date and address issues of interest around Accreditation.

This year we had the participation of major figures who were members of the presidium for the opening ceremony, who shared their messages and greetings on this special day.

We were privileged to have one of the highest authorities of the environment in Mexico, Mr. Sandra Denisse Herrera Flores, Undersecretary of Promotion and Regulations of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

We were accompanied by Dr. Francisco Ramos, General Director of Standards of the Ministry of Economy.

And we were honored with the participation of Mr. Jorge Remedi, representative of the Accreditation Body of Argentina, OAA.

To inaugurate the work of our Day, honored us with their presence Ing. Salomón Presburger, president

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of the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of the United Mexican States, CONCAMIN, who reiterated the need to strengthen SISMENEC, so that “this is one of the priorities of the plans and strategies for the development of Mexican society and economy. “

The central theme of this year was “Global Acceptance” and to address it conducted three workshops:

• Mutual Recognition Agreements, MRA

• Policies and Procedures of Conformity Assessment

• Accreditation and Approval Difference

We thank all those who made possible the celebration of our World Accreditation Day.

Nadia dIAZ PErEZ Relaciones Nacionales e Internacionales entidad mexicana de acreditacion, a.c.

First 11 Medical laboratories in Shanghai have Obtained CNASAccreditation to ISO 15189

A ceremony was held on April 16, 2010 in Shanghai to grant accreditation to medical laboratories which would provide medical service for Expo 2010 Shanghai China. 11 medical laboratories have obtained accreditation from China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS), including laboratories of Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, etc.

With the aim to improve the quality, competency and safety of the medical laboratories in Shanghai area, to facilitate the mutual recognition of the examination results of various medical laboratories, and to provide the Expo 2010 Shanghai China with high quality medical service, Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau and CNAS initiated the National Accreditation Program for Shanghai Medical Laboratories in December 2008. As a result of this 16-month Program, 356 technicians from hospitals in Shanghai area were trained on the knowledge of medical laboratory accreditation, 456 persons were trained on laboratory management and competence construction, 36 persons were trained as assessors for medical laboratory accreditation, and 11 medical laboratories were accredited to ISO15189.

The accreditation program for medical laboratories providing service for Expo 2010 Shanghai China is successfully fulfilled, which demonstrates the high quality and competency of these medical laboratories and shows that people from all over the world can get internationally recognized medical examination service in Shanghai. Meanwhile, this Program will ensure the mutual recognition of the examination results of various medical laboratories, avoid waste of

resource and repetitive examination, and facilitate the innovation of healthcare system in Shanghai.

A five-year objective is announced by Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau at the ceremony: 95 percent of the medical laboratories of third-class hospitals and 50 percent of which of second-class comprehensive hospitals in Shanghai will have been accredited to ISO 15189 by the end of 2015, with the aim to improve the quality and competence level of medical laboratories in Shanghai, and to make contribution to the construction of Shanghai as one of the first-class healthcare centers in Asia.

Mr Xiao Jianhua, Chief Executive of CNAS was interviewed by China Central Television (CCTV).

Ceremony of granting accreditation to medical laboratories providing medical services for Expo 2010 Shanghai China.

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Viewpoint from TAF

APEC plays an important role in various issues, such as food safety, electronic product safety, telecommunications equipment equivalence, etc. In the Asia-Pacific region, economies build relationships on regulator-to-regulator basis; however, all these concerned issues are concerning with laboratories, certification bodies or both. It is recommended that APLAC and PAC organise joint teams to participate in specific issues and to facilitate achieving a total solution.

Take the APEC TEL MRA as an example. The APEC-TEL Mutual Recognition Arrangement (APEC TEL MRA), implemented by MRA Task Force (MRATF) under the Liberalization Steering Group (LSG), is a multilateral agreement between Asia-Pacific economies on conformity assessment of telecommunications equipment. It has two phases: Phase I is about the procedures for mutual recognition of testing laboratories as CABs and mutual acceptance of test reports, and Phase II is about procedures for mutual

recognition of certification bodies as CABs and mutual acceptance of equipment certifications. Following the 2 phases, the new MRA – ETR (Equivalence of Technical Requirements) has been approved by MRATF in September 2009, endorsed by APEC TEL in May 2010 and will be submitted for endorsement by APEC Ministers at the coming TELMIN8 to be held in Japan in October 2010.

There have been lots of discussions on the implementation and operational details of the ETR during the APEC TEL 42 MRATF meeting, held on 2-3 August 2010 in Brunei. As the ETR is concerning with testing, certification and technical requirements, it is a good opportunity for APLAC and PAC to get involved to provide professional viewpoints, particularly on technical issues.

In short, APLAC and PAC members are in the position to provide technical supports on APEC activities. We look forward to the establishment of joint teams on connections with APEC.MRA

Success StoriesBelow are a couple of MRA success stories, shared by Teresa C. barnett A2LA Quality Manager

• The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published notices in the Federal Register regarding accreditation requirements for third party laboratories that are testing in conformance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 for lead in paint, cribs, pacifiers, small parts, and children’s jewelry. According to these publications and the CPSIA, all products currently subject to the lead in paint regulation at 16 CFR 1303, all cribs subject either to 16 CFR 1508 or 1509, all pacifiers subject to 16 CFR 1511, small parts subject to 16 CFR 1501, and children’s jewelry subject to the 600 ppm and 300 ppm lead content limits, must be tested by a laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an accreditation body who is a signatory to the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA).

• The U.S. Navy has placed wording within their NAVAIRINST 2400.20 Instruction to ensure that

MIL-STD-461 Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) qualification testing is conducted by public or private laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The instruction further specifies that the accreditation of such a testing laboratory shall be issued by an accreditation body operating in according with ISO/IEC 17011 and shall be an ILAC MRA signatory.

• The U.S. Navy has entered into a Navy Calibration Cooperative Agreement with A2LA. Under this agreement, the Navy approves and accepts accreditations from calibration laboratory accreditation bodies headquartered in the U.S. and recognized by a laboratory accreditation cooperation such as APLAC and ILAC.

• The U.S. Department of Defense Environmental Data Quality Workgroup

• (EDQW) announced that the DoD Environmental Laboratory Approval Program. (ELAP) is relying on the ILAC arrangement to implement the DoD ELAP laboratory accreditations.

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regional Bodies building relationships with APEC

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recently released the ENERGY STAR Computers Verification and Testing Guidelines and Procedures Manual Version 1.0. This document contains the specific verification testing guidelines and procedures for conducting product testing of computers.

• According to the document, in order to determine whether the computer products meet the ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Computers Version 5.0 requirements, laboratories must be accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The accreditation body must be a signatory to an internationally recognized

mutual recognition arrangement (MRA) such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

• The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) USGv6 Test Program requires that laboratories performing testing of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) products for use in the United States government be accredited by an International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) signatory.

New program for coalmine safetyThe safety of underground coalmines is set to benefit from a new NATA accreditation program aimed at reducing the risk of explosions.

In NSW, the Department of Industry and Investment will require all maintenance workshops for diesel engines and other explosion protected equipment to become registered by October 2010. Their

workshops will then have the option of becoming certified or accredited by 2013.

NATA will be granting accreditation to workshops under the inspection accreditation program to ISO/IEC 17020. NATA is specifically mentioned in the NSW legislation as the organisation that can provide accreditation.

It will be promoted to workshops in NSW, as well as to other stakeholders, such as mine operators, regulators, unions and industry associations.

Queensland, which produces 54 per cent of the black coal mined in Australia (compared to NSW’s 43 per cent), does not have a mandatory requirement for accreditation, but the state’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines currently has the matter under consideration.

All states and the Northern Territory are also involved in the mining of brown coal, and will be gauging the roll-out of the accreditation, as will the Federal Department of Energy, Resources and Tourism.

dangers

NATA’s Manager, Inspection, Julian Wilson said the scope of the accreditation is aimed at helping to further improve safety in the mining industry. “Risk is always an important issue in underground mining because of the nature of the industry,” he added. “We hope this new program will help to minimise the inherent dangers.”

The accreditation process will require an advisory visit and review of the inspectors’ processes and documentation, plus an on-site visit to the workshop.

The new accreditation program with tackle the dangers inherent to mining.

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AUSSIE TUCKER ON EURO MENUEC trade mission approves food-export analysis by accredited labs.

The European Commission (EC) has given approval to a multi-million-dollar Australian export business after examining the performance of NATA-accredited labs.

In a recently published report on the findings of an EC mission to Australia, the national residue-control program was found to provide the guarantees necessary for food exports to Europe of meat, honey and some aquaculture.

Australian exports of unprocessed food (including the three categories covered by the program) to the European Union are currently worth around $400 million, according to the most recent annual trade figures.

Under the program, administered by the National Residue Survey (NRS) in consultation with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), laboratories delivering analytical services in this field must be accredited by NATA to ISO/IEC 17025.

The report notes that laboratory methods were validated ”according to NATA guidelines, which provide guarantees on analytical method performance” equivalent to those required under EU regulations”, and the range of analyte-matrix combinations included in the full scope of NATA accreditation exceeded the number required by the NRS.

In its conclusion, the report states: “The system put in place by the NRS to assure consistent laboratory performance, provides for the Australian competent authorities to have full confidence in the analytical results generated and, consequently, underpins the guarantees on the residue status of food of animal origin exported to the EU.”

The full inspection report by the EC’s Health and Consumers Directorate-General is coded DG(SANCO) 2009-8193-MR FINAL.

Manufacturers and users of programmable systems will benefit from a recently-granted accreditation covering the assessment of the functional safety of machinery. Programmable functionality is widely used in industrial and domestic equipment, offering unprecedented control and machine capability. However, the complexity of these systems means that

sometimes the system may not function as intended. Perhaps the equipment will do something unintended but harmless, but cases have included failure to respond to fundamental controls including emergency stops. Under extreme cases, human lives and property can be put at risk.

There are standards for the assessment of functional safety in machines, and these consider the logic-block components in machinery for safe operation under all operating modes. The criteria considered include whether a machine will fail-to-safe in the event of a malfunction, assessments for general safety and electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) on the hardware, as well as ensuring that the software running the micro-computers is written in such a way that a bug isn’t going to put the machine into a dangerous state.

NATA has just granted an accreditation — the first of its kind in Australia — to Projects Etc (client 17171, trading as Safety Related Control Systems), an inspection company based in south Brisbane’s Technology Park. Projects Etc was granted accreditation to inspect a range of machines and systems for functional safety, machine safety, electrical safety and electro-magnetic compatibility.

NATA’s Manager, Julian Wilson, Inspection, says regular peer assessment through the accreditation process is the only means of establishing whether an organisation has the ongoing competence to perform these inspections.

“Through peer assessment,” he added, “Projects Etc have demonstrated their familiarity with the industry and the standards, and shown a consolidated procedure for the assessment of this equipment.”

Australian aquaculture exporters to Europe include Tasmanian salmon and trout farms.

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