PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
0 INTRODUCTIONS
0.1The PSQCA registration Scheme of Inspection Agenciesmandated by the PSQCA Act VI, 1996 Government of Pakistan, Registration and Regulation of Inspection Agencies Rules, 1981(SRO 10 (1)/82.
0.2Registration has been used for many years as a mean of deciding upon whom to admit to a particular group of equals or peers. PSQCA Inspection Agencies registration is available for all types of tests, calibrations, measurements, inspections and observations which are reproduceale and properly documented.
0.3 PSQCA registration the includes a variety of activities. Inspection includes the examination of materials, products, components, assemblies, cargoes and consignments, usually for compliance with specified criteria. It includes visual examination and associated work, and may be more directly focused on products. PSQCA staff can advise potential applicants of the appropriate field of inspection for the registration of their inspection activities. Inspection Agency which are engaged in testing, measurement or sampling work may apply for Registration for with application alongwith relevant documents requiredfor registration for inspection agency.
1.SCOPE
1.1.This documentlaysdowntheguidelinesforapplicantsto be registered with PSQCA as per law.
1.2.The registration of inspection agencies under the scheme shall be for each individual site/ branch/centre/portwithin theterritory ofPakistan.
2.CRITERIA FOR REGISTRATION
2.1.TheCriteriaforRegistrationundertheSchemehasbeenrevisedtoalignitwiththerevised international standards for ‘Conformity Assessment - Requirementsforthe
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PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
OperationofvarioustypesofAgencies performinginspectionandreferencetotheclausesoftheabovestandardhas beengiven,whereverneeded.
2.2.Theinspectionagencyseekingregistrationundertheschemeshall eitherbeaccreditedorshall implementQualitymanagementsystemstomeetthe requirementsof inspection agency.
2.2.1Theinspectionagencyshallgenerallynotsub-contractanypart of itsinspection work. In exceptionalcircumstancesitmaysub-contractpartofitswork,providedthatthesubcontractor meetstherequirementsasspecifiedin ISO standardaboveandisrecognizedunderthisScheme,The priorwrittenpermissionofPSQCA-isrequiredandinformationmaybeprovidedtotheclient inadvance.
2.2.2Theinspectionagencymaintainalaboratorywithintheconcernedterritory forthescopeappliedtosupportitsinspectionwork.
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3.0.The PSQCA Registration Process (summary)
3.1. Checklist so the inspection Agencies can perform a self-assessment to verify compliance with all requirements.
3.2. The applicant inspection Agencies completes and returns this full application for registration with payment and all required supporting documentation outlined on Pages 1 to 15.
3.3. The assessor contacts the inspection Agencies to discuss the scheduling of the on-site assessment and request any additional quality documentation that may be needed. Once documentation is reviewed for completeness, the assessor can schedule the assessment.
3.4. The assessment or the pre-assessment is performed and includes: entry briefing; review of quality documentation; interviews with technicians; sample handling / demonstrations of inspections; examination of equipment and calibration records; written report of assessor's findings; and exit briefing.
3.5. The inspection Agencies responds to any deficiencies with a written corrective action response.
3.6. The corrective action is reviewed by the PSQCA and, once completes, is forwarded to the Inspection Agenciesregistration committee.
3.7. Registration is granted when affirmative votes are received, all concerns are resolved, and all fees are paid in full.
3.8. Final Decision will be made by Director General’ PSQCA.
NOTE: All documentation must be provided in English and the assessment conducted in English. An appropriate English translation of pertinent documentation must be provided as well as a translator, if needed, to facilitate the on-site assessment.
3.1.Incase ofanydeficiencies,PSQCAmayeithercall forsupplementaryinformationorrejectthe applicationgivingreasons forthesameinwritingwithacopytoconcernedPSQCA.Thereasonsfor rejectionmay beoneormoreofthefollowing:
i. Theagencyisseekingapproval for a commodityunder itsscope,whichisnotof interestto
PSQCAatthattime,
ii. The agency doesn’t have adequate technical capability for the scopeapplied.
iii. IncompleteApplicationdocumentsas necessaryandnon paymentoffees,
iv. Previous performanceofagencynotsatisfactory, in case of renewal application.
v.Any other reasonas deemedfitbyPSQCA.
3.2 Adequacy Audit
3.2.1AftertheapplicationhasbeenacceptedbyPSQCA,theapplicationQualityManualssubmitted bytheapplicantshallbeexaminedbyanAssessor or anysuitablepersonchosen byPSQCAforverifying theiradequacyandconformitytotheCriteriaforRegistration.
3.2.2Anydeficiencies observedduringadequacyauditshallbedulycommunicatedtotheapplicant fortakingsuitablecorrectiveactionsandforsubmission ofappropriateamendments/ clarification/withinaperiodof 15daysforre-examination.PSQCAshallprocess the applicationfurther,onlyoncetheManualsareadjudged tobeadequate.
3.3On-siteAudit
3.3.1PSQCAshallorganizean on-siteauditbydeputingauditorstoassessand submit assessmentreporttoPSQCA in prescribed formate aboutcompliance orotherwiseby theagencytothedocumentedqualitymanagementsystemsaswellasitstechnicalcompetencevis- à-vis scopeof registrationapplied.
3.3.2Theaudit willcomprisethefollowing:
a. OpeningMeeting-Thismeetingwillbeconductedbythe Lead Auditorinwhichthe Head of organization or Head of Branch, managementrepresentativeand headsof all the divisionsbeingauditedareexpectedtobepresent. Duringthismeeting,auditorswill explainthescopeandextent ofthe audit as wellastheir planforaudit.
b. Conduct of Audit-Theauditshallbeconductedaspertheauditplanagreed during the opening meeting, andshallcoverallareas oftheagencyrelevant tothe scopeofregistration. Auditshallincludeverification ofinfrastructureand facilities,examination of management system documents, related inspection records, and assessment of competence of
PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
Personnel.Therespectivehead,whoisconversantwiththeactivitiesofthedivision(s)being
audited,shouldaccompanyauditor. The non-conformities observedbytheaudit teamshallbeso recordedintheappropriateformatprescribedby PSQCAandhandedoverto the agencyattheendofeachdayforprovidingnecessarycorrectiveactionwithinanagreed timeframenotletter than 45 days.
c. Closingmeeting-Theon-siteauditshouldconcludewithaclosingmeetingduringwhichthe auditshallpresentitsfindingstotheagency.Allthe memberspresentintheopening meetingshouldpreferablybepresentintheclosingmeeting.Thenonconformityreports shallbesignedby ManagementRepresentativeor authorizedsignatory,as atokenof acceptanceindicatingproposedcorrectiveactionand itstimeframewhichinnocaseshall exceed45daysforprovidingtotheauditor(s)appropriatecorrectiveaction(s) alongwith evidence.
3.3.3Beforethisauditisundertaken,theapplicantshouldhaveconductedatleast oneinternalquality auditand onemanagementreviewtoensuretheimplementation ofthe documentedquality managementsystemsand followup onthenecessarycorrectiveactionscarried outand evidenceto this effectprovidedwith application.
3.4ResponsibilitiesofApplicantduringAudit
3.4.1Theagencyisexpectedtoprovidethefollowing assistanceto theaudit team duringthe visit:
a) Arrangementsfor stay, local guidanceandtraveletc.
b) Asuitable room wherecanmeetanddiscuss exchangetheir notesandfindings.
c) Secretarialandotherofficeassistancelikephotocopyingetc.
3.5Followup onInitialAudit
3.5.1Incasetheteamreportsnon-conformities,the applicantagencyshalltake necessarycorrective actionswhichmayhavetobeverifiedbyPSQCAanditsauditor(s)forsatisfactoryclosure,before grantofregistrationisconsidered.This maycall forafollowupon-siteverificationaudit,forfull or partial assessment,asthecasemaybe.
PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
3.6Registration
3.6.1Based on thefindingsanaudit teamare and satisfactoryreportof their assessmentof fitnessto actas aninspectionagency,thecaseforgrant of registrationshallbeplacedbefore Director, PSQCAforrecommendationtotheDirector General’ PSQCAfor registration.
3.6.2Theregistrationshall begrantedforaninitialperiodofoneyear,renewablefor maximumof two years atatime.
3.7 ConsiderationforRegistration
3.7.1 IftheapplicantagencyalreadyholdsRegistrationbasedonISO/IECStandardsstandard oritslabisaccreditedbyPNACforthescopeapplied,dueconsiderationwould begiven to the same.
4.SURVEILLANCE
4.1Allrecognizedinspectionagenciesshallbesubjecttosurveillanceauditsatleastonceayearby PSQCAin ordertoassessandverifythestate ofimplementationand maintenanceoftheirquality managementsystemincludingitslab onanyspecifieddate.Nopostponement forthisaudit byany inspectionagencyshallbeallowed.Ifnecessaryit maybeanunannouncedsurpriseauditbased on inputsreceivedbyPSQCA.
5.EXTENSIONOF SCOPE
5.1Anyrecognizedinspectionagencycanrequestfor extensionofitsscopeofregistrationtocover additionalareasby making awrittenrequesttoPSQCA. Incasechangesaretobe madetotheQuality Manual,acopy of revised/amendedquality manualshallalsobesubmitted.Therequestshallbe examinedbyPSQCAtoassesswhetheranon-sitevisitisrequiredforverificationornot.
6.RENEWALOFREGISTRATION
6.1 Any registration granted automatically expires at the end of the period of its validity as prescribedinthenotification.ArenewalnoticewillbeissuedtorecognizedinspectionagencybyPSQCA
PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
aboutaremonthsbeforeexpiryoftheirvalidity.However,theresponsibilityshallbethatof
theagencyconcernedtoensurethattheapplication forrenewalisreceivedintimebeforeits expiry.
6.2Theagencyshallsubmitthe renewalapplicationalongwiththeprescribed applicationfeeasatAnnexureA of the schemetothe Directorate of System Certification Centreat leastfivemonths beforetheexpiryofitscurrentregistrationperiodwithitscopytoPSQCA,A renewalaudit,similar totheinitialon-siteaudit,shallbeorganizedbyPSQCAandcarriedoutbefore consideringfurther renewal.
6.3If anynon-conformityisfound duringtherenewal audit,theagencyshall havetotakenecessary correctiveactionsforsatisfactoryclosureofthenon-conformity,whichmayneedtobeverifiedby PSQCA, beforetheregistrationisrenewed for afurtherperiod ofmaximumofthreeyears.
6.4Therenewalshallbebasedonassessmentofperformanceduringthepreviousvalidityperiod and also on-siteassessmentreport ofrenewalaudit. Anycomplaintsreceivedduring theperiod shall alsobedulyconsidered.
6.5In anyevent of delayin issue of freshrenewal notification theapplicantagencyshall desistfrom undertakinginspectionbasedonpreviousregistration,ifitsvalidityhas expiredandintheevent otherwise,shall beliable for punitivelegal action.
7.SUSPENSION
7.1PSQCA may,atitsdiscretion,suspendregistration ofanagency,ifacomplaintorany other information is received which indicates that the agency is not maintaining the Criteria for Registrationand/oritstechnicalcompetenceand/or integrityisnotsatisfactory.An orderfromPSQCA shall beissued toall concerned includingCustoms tothis effect.
7.2Anagency,aggrieved bythedecisionofPSQCAmaypreferanappealtothe Director General’PSQCA, alongwithalldocumentsinsupportoftheirappeal whichshallbeconsidered.Ifdesired,apersonal hearingwillbeaffordedbyDirectorCA,PSQCAandthe suspensionorder mayberatifiedor modified. DecisiontakenbytheDirector General,PSQCA inthemattershall befinal.
8.EXPIRYAND WITHDRAWALOFREGISTRATION
8.1Theregistration ofan inspectionagencyshallautomaticallyexpireattheendofitsvalidityas prescribed inthe notificationofregistration.
8.2TheregistrationofanagencyshallalsoexpireiftherenewalisnotagreedtobytheCompetent Authority i.e. Director General’ PSQCA.
PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
8.3Theregistrationofanagencymayalsobewithdrawnanytimeduringtheregistrationperiodwith informationtoall concernedincludingcustoms for anyofthe followingreasons:
8.3.1IfPSQCAfeelsthatnousefulpurposeisbeingservedbythecontinuationoftheregistrationoftheagency.
8.3.2If theagencyisunabletomaintaintheCriteria for Registration.
8.3.3Ifthetechnicalcompetenceorintegrityisnotsatisfactorybased onanyinformation or complaint.
8.4PSQCA withtheapproval of Director CA,shallissueashowcausenoticeincaseitintendsto withdrawregistrationofanagencyasperPCA rules 2011 of section 12 clause (i) of PSQCA Act Vi of 1996above,after dueinvestigation,if required.TheconcernedagencyshallbegivenanopportunitytoexplaintoDirector SCC,PSQCA, andits viewpointin a personal hearing, ifsodesired,beforeanyactionis taken againstit.
8.5The inspectionagency, whoseapproval hasbeen withdrawn, mayapplyfor freshapprovalnot earlierthanoneyear fromthe dateofwithdrawalof approval.
PSQCA INSPECTIONAGENCYREGISTRATIONSCHEME-2013
9.10AnyagencymayrelinquishPSQCAregistrationbygivingthreemonths’noticein writingto PSQCA.It shallhowevernot be entitledto refundofanyfeealreadypaidandshallensureto continueto complywiththeterms conditions ofregistrationduringtheperiod.
9.11PSQCAmay,atitsdiscretion,reducescopeofregistration.Itmayalsoarrangeforanon-site reassessmentduetochangesinpersonnel,and /orifacomplaintorany otherinformationis received which indicates that the technical competence and integrity/ confidentiality of the agencyis notsatisfactory. AnauditfeeasatAnnexureAinsuchacaseshallbechargeable.
9.12 The agency shall cease toissueinspection certificates forexport consignments onceits notifiedvalidityperiodisoverorinthecaseofsuspension/withdrawal ofitsregistrationbyPSQCA, whichifcomesto thenotice,shallmakethatagencyliableforpunitivelegalaction.