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Nordic Poly Mark
The INSTA-CERT certification scheme, with the quality mark Nordic Poly
Mark, safeguards the traditions and wishes of the end-users regarding a
high-quality level and a long service lifetime for pipe and pipe systems
in the Nordic countries. The certification scheme was established in 2004 by
certification bodies (INSTA-CERT), test institutes, end-users and manufacturers
in Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Important elements
of the certification scheme:
- Third party control
- Rules for internal
control
- Rules for corrective
actions
Product, marked with Nordic Poly Mark or with a documented quality from
producers with a control system at the same level, is commonly used as
requirement in local norms, guidelines and in tender documents.
Documents
The product standards describe tests and requirements that the products
must fulfil.
The Rules for Certification, the INSTA-CERT SBCs, determine also the
control schemes and if relevant, choice of classes and requirements in the
product standard, and additional tests with requirements.
The general provisions for certification are found in the document General
Rules for Certification, INSTA-CERT Rules of Certification (GRC) and more can
be found at www.insta-cert.net.
The certification process
The certificates covers only one manufacturer and products from one
production site.
All manufacturers are obliged to follow the steps described below to get
and maintain the certificates on their products.
Non-conformity
Procedures for corrective actions are compulsory and certificates may be
withdrawn if requirements in SBCs are not fulfilled. The test scheme is
described in detail in the INSTA-CERT SBC in question.
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Certification process
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Type Testing and
Initial Inspection are the start of the certification process.
Type testing (TT)
is performed by an accredited test laboratory.
The initial
inspection shall be performed by an approved and accredited inspection body.
The scope is extensive regarding the test program for achieving a
certificate.
Batch Release Test
(BRT) is performed by the manufacturer at the start-up and during a
production run. For example, measurements, colour, marking and other short-term
tests to ensure correct process parameters and material quality.
Process Verification
Test (PVT)is performed by the manufacturer according to the defined sampling frequency on
samples from the whole product range. These tests are more time consuming and more
complex, for example 1000 hours testing of material and product quality,
tightness tests and ring stiffness test. |
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Inspection and
audit test (AT)
Audit inspection shall be performed twice per year by an approved
inspection body. The audit inspection includes review of the manufacturers BRTs
and PVTs, checking of the testing equipment, calibration, random surveillance
of quality system routines. The Inspector also collect and sign samples that
subsequently shall be sent to the test institute for audit testing.
Audit testing is
performed by an approved testing institute.
Assessment of
reports
The certification officer reviews the inspection
reports and the audit test reports. If a deviation is recorded, the officer
assesses the severity. The certification officer takes action by asking the
manufacturer for corrective actions. If the test results are non-conforming,
the production batch may be isolated, corrective actions must be taken and a
re-test must be performed.
Depending on the severity of the deviation, temporary
revocation of a specific product from the certificate or a revocation of the
entire certificate may be an option. In severe cases, the certificate may be
permanently revoked.
During the next ordinary inspection, the inspector will check that the
corrective actions are implemented. In some cases, an additional
inspection may be required. |
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Norner AS
