Global SCS' Design Verification department has achieved 17020 Type A accreditation from UKAS.
UKAS assessed the Aberdeen based business who are now qualified as a Type A inspection body as per ISO/IEC 17020 conformity assessment standard.
Managing director Steven Dunbar said: “We have been working towards this accreditation for some time as part of a drive and focus on quality management of verification services, competency management, technical authorisations etc. This 'stamp of approval' from UKAS gives our clients and the industry as a whole further confidence in our ability to deliver the best service quality possible whilst remaining extremely competitive, entirely independent & impartial."
UKAS provides ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation to organisations performing various types of inspection, surveys and risk assessments, for SCS the accreditation is associated with Offshore Equipment and Equipment Certification.
Global SCS offer Independent verification of design, fabrication, inspection and certification of equipment against relevant standards and codes that include:
• The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive)(Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015 SI No. 398 (OSDR).
• The Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc) Regulations 1996 SI No 913 (DCR).
• The Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 SI No 743 (PFEER).
There are various reasons for an organisation to require an independent evaluation, be it for the purpose if internal standards to reduce the risk of product or service challenges and failures or for the purpose of adhering to legal requirements (such as health and safety regulations).
These independent evaluations would be for a variety of areas of the business form equipment testing or calibration to the certification of management systems. The benefits of which are:
• Selecting an accredited organisation is an essential tool for decision-making and risk management
• Saving time and money by selecting an accredited & competent supplier
• Reliable measurements, tests and inspections are carried out in compliance with best practices to limit product failure and reduce down time and control manufacturing costs
• Accreditation to internationally-recognised standards can provide a competitive advantage and facilitate access to export markets within the EU and beyond
• Using an accredited body to carry out an independent evaluation helps demonstrate due diligence in the event of legal action