Conformity Assessment - ASME

Conformity Assessment

Paul Lang & Mike FredianiASME Perspective & Benefits

February 2017

What Is ASME Conformity Assessment?

The recognition of a company’s or

individual’s capability to fulfill the

requirements of an ASME standard in

order to advance public safety and

facilitate international commerce.

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ConstructionSections

Service Sections

Nuclear Sections

12 Sections32 volumes16,500 pages Updated every 2 years

ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code

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Why ASME Conformity Assessment?Understanding the need for oversight

1914 Code – “The inspector representing the

purchaser shall have free entry, at all times

while work on the contract of the purchase is

being performed… All tests and inspection

shall be made at the place of manufacture

prior to shipment, unless otherwise specified.Part I Section I para. 61, (1914)

Though the Standard incorporates quality at its core it is a Safety Code

Why ASME Conformity Assessment?The meaning behind Part I Section I para. 61

• Even in 1914, the Society, Code Committee

Developers and Engineers determined the need

for oversight of the manufacturing process

• oversight ensures that guiding principles of the

code: high quality and commitment to public

safety are met.

Evolution of Conformity Assessment

• As the industry grew, insurance companies with a stake in

insuring manufactured boiler and pressure vessels

assumed the role of inspection along with jurisdictional

authorities.

• Beginning of Third Party Inspection: an inspector

independent of the manufacturer and the end purchaser.

• Objective: compliance to the code - Safety

Conformity Assessment Today

• Pre-1968 – ASME grants certification based on

verified agreements between manufacturers &

insurance companies

• Post-1968 – ASME grants certification based on an

established quality assurance program surveyed by

ASME to ensure compliance.

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Authorized Inspection Agencies

• Third-party inspection has been required by the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code since its inception

• Requirements defined in the ASME QAI-1 Standard for Authorized Inspection and RCI-1, Rules for Commissioned Inspectors

• AIAs required to be accredited by ASME since 1992 for nuclear applications and 1997 for boilers and pressure vessels

“While protecting life and property is always the priority,

from a quality standpoint, the ASME Code provides a

framework for an organization to build consistent

processes. It also provides a level playing field for all

manufacturers, suppliers, and installers.”ASME Certificate Holder

Boilers and pressure vessels are used all over the world in many different industries:

In order to ensure safety, quality, & operational efficiency of this equipment, regulations & codes have been developed, someof which require independent inspection & certification toachieve compliance.

7,350 ASME Certified Companies

13,000 ASME Certificates Issued

75 Countries

The International Mark of Safety and Quality: What to Look for

Certified by______________________

Name of Manufacturer

Pressure ___ at temperature ___Max allowable working pressure

Pressure ___ at temperature ___Max allowable external working pressure

[if specified; see Note (1)]

Temperature ___ at pressure ___Min. design metal temperature

___________________________Manufacturer’s serial number

___________________________Year built

W (if arc orgas welded)

RT (if radiographed)HT (if postweldheat treated)

U2

Certification Mark

CertificationDesignator

• The maturity of our Standards – over 100 yrs. of consensus developed content that advances with technology and ensures high quality products and a commitment to overall public safety

• Globally recognized and Accepted – Conformity Assessment requirements that aid manufacturers in the development and implementation of the Standard through a Quality System in the manufacturing of boilers, pressure vessels, and pressure piping, etc.

The ASME AdvantageM

• Third Party Oversight (Authorized Inspection Agencies) – An inspection force, qualified through the National Board, ensuring compliance to the Standard and supporting the manufacturer’s public commitment to quality and safety. There are currently 20 AIAs providing global services and 12 Jurisdictional Agencies.

• Expert Auditors – Our qualified auditing force has over 22 years experience on average (per auditor) focusing on the auditing of ASME certification and accreditation programs.

The ASME Advantage

Board on Conformity Assessment

CBPVCA CNC QAI

QAI SC

BPE SC RTP SC Y14 SC ANDE

ASME Committee Support System

27 ASME Conformity Assessment Committees250+ ASME Committee Volunteers across all

industries

All participating in the vigorous protection of the ASME Mark!

Why Become an ASME Certificate Holder?

How the assessment of conformity, and by whom, can have a significant impact on the level of confidence of purchasers and regulators on the results.

ASME Conformity Assessment has done and will continue to provide regulators (jurisdictions) and purchasers of products a high level of confidence that the item meet the requirements of the applicable standard, regardless of where in the world they were manufactured.

*Item – product, component, part, service

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• ASME is responsible for all assessments- Responsible for qualifying & certifying auditors- Procedures on conduct & annual training encourages

that all assessments are performed in a consistentmanner

• Uniform implementation of ASME Conformity Assessment Programs & integrity of ASME brand has resulted in wide acceptance by regulators and industry worldwide


• Provides a means of remedy when a problemarises – Due Process and Investigations

• Third party oversight of construction and are members of the ASME team performing the assessment- May entail additional program audits if CI performs

oversight• Regulators/National Board are actively involved in

ASME’s conformity assessment scheme andstandards development activities


• ASME Standards have a proven reliability

• ASME Standards are consensus standards

• Products/Services are supplied to internationally known standards

Why Become anASME Certificate Holder

• Should not be viewed as a cost burden but rather a tool to:‒ Cut cost through improved processes‒ Aid or facilitate clear understanding of the requirements

between Supplier, Purchaser, Government, Public‒ Create a company culture centered around the

achievement of quality ‒ Demonstrate compliance/conformity to a

regulation/standard‒ Advance public safety‒ Access new markets

Benefits ASME Certification

MANUFACTURERS

ASMECONFORMITYASSESSMENTPROGRAMS

PUBLIC PURCHASERS

PUBLIC SAFETYFACILITATING TRADEOPEN/TRANSPARENT

PROCESS

GOVERNMENT

Protects Public Safety & Welfare

Supports policies on public safety & fair trade

Supply chain management:Increase Choices

Reduce Cost

A trusted worldwide brand allowing access to a

global market


• Demonstrates your commitment to best practices, efficiency, and sustainability

• Provides confidence to owners and suppliers of the quality and safety of your products

• Achieves universally-recognized ASME conformity vs. self-declared conformity

Why Conformity Assessment?

Conforming to the Standard

ASME ConformityAssessment

Suppliers Self-Declaration of Conformity

Accreditation and Certification

“We bought the standard and follow it.”

“Our company went through a rigorous certification process designed to validate that we meet the standard.”

Why Conformity Assessment?Conforming to the Standard

ASME ConformityAssessment

Suppliers Self-Declaration of Conformity

Accreditation and Certification

“We stand by the quality of our products”

“Through the Conformity Assessment process: ASME, the National Board, Jurisdictions and AIA’s stand behind the ASME Mark”

ASME

INSPECTION AGENCIES

JURISDICTIONS

NATIONAL BOARD

CERTIFICATE HOLDER

Shared Enforcement

Shared protection of the ASME Mark

Why Certify? –

• The ASME Code is clear and specific regarding requirements for equipment certified in accordance with the standard.

• In contrast, there is no clear definition of what is intended when equipment is specified as “fabricated or constructed to or in accordance with the ASME Codewithout stamping.*

What if you don’t Stamp?

*”To Stamp or Not to Stamp” – NB Bulletin Summer 2012

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• No third-party inspection by an Authorized Inspector(s)

• ASME Code may be used for design, but fabrication requirements are not verified

• ASME Code may be used for only some of the fabrication activities

• Manufacturer has not demonstrated implementationof an ASME-compliant Quality Control System

Implications for unstamped products

• Inferior materials may be substituted for those required by the ASME BPV Code

• Procedures/Personnel used for NDE and/or welding may not be qualified to the requirements of the ASME Code

The end user accepts and in most cases, unknowingly accepts, all the risk of the manufactured pressure retaining item for an unstamped product.

Implications for unstamped products

• The Code’s inspection requirements add unnecessary cost.Response: Third party inspection of critical pressure equipment is unavoidable. Ongoing Inspection improves the value of the product produced and reduces your risk. Critical to countering costs of employee turnover & revisions to the Code.

• It’s difficult to find local certified manufacturers.Response: Over 7,350 accredited and authorized manufacturers listed on ASME.org website. 54% outside of the U.S. and growing!

Reasons why companies don’t stamp

• Materials required by the ASME Code aren’t available locally.

Response: The code allows certified manufacturers to re-certify material to an ASME Code specification, provided that the minimum chemical and mechanical properties are met.

However, materials specified in the Code have been proven in service. Substitution of inferior materials have serious implications on joining, FFS and useful life of pressure equipment assets.


• “There’s no real difference between equipment that is stamped and equipment that isn’t.”

Response:• Ongoing 3rd Party verification assures consistency in

manufacturing and control of processes• Verified design of welded joints and qualification of

welding procedures and personnel (weld quality often sacrificed when stamping is waived)

• Records retained for a stamped product are indispensable for future asset repair, alteration or sale

• Assurance that your vessel fully complies with ASME Code


• If you’re being promised equipment that’s the same as “certified,” but at significant savings, you need to take a closer look at what you are purchasing

• Understanding the methods manufacturers use to cut costs is critical to understanding the importance of stamping

• Knowing these methods enable an end user to determine in advance which substitutions/sacrifices are acceptable.

You will ultimately get what you pay for!

Misuse of the Certification Mark:Case Study I

Company – Purchased vessel and requested from the National Board the Manufacturer Data Report (MDR). Supplying the NB number on the pressure vessel nameplate.

National Board Response – There is no such NB number listed in our system.

Company – Supplies photo image of the nameplate to assist in obtaining the MDR.

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Misuse of the Certification Mark

ASME Certification in Iran• ASME currently does not issue Certifications to companies inside Iran.

• ASME is currently working with the US Government to be able to conduct business in Iran.

• ASME certification Holders outside Iran are not under constraint from ASME in providing stamped vessels to Iran

• ASME’s current position is that the Certificate Holder is under their jurisdictional Laws in conducting business with Iran.

• Once ASME receives approval from US Government to conduct business in Iran, we will begin offering our Certification Programs to companies located within their jurisdictional borders.

Questions?Paul Lang / Michael Frediani

[email protected] / [email protected]

Manufacturers want that Global recognition of their commitment to public safety and high quality.

The best way is to certify your process

For End Users the best overall value for the life of your purchased pressure retaining item is to purchase items bearing the ASME

Certification Mark.

Conformity Assessment - ASME

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