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Engineering Education, Resources and Standards
News Release from: UK Weighing Federation
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 05 July 2005
External audit checks calibration
practices
Members of the UK Weighing Federation are undergoing a strict external audit to ensure they are following their own Code of Practice for the calibration of nonautomatic weighing instruments.
Members of the UK Weighing Federation are undergoing a strict external audit to ensure they are following their own Code of Practice for the calibration of nonautomatic weighing instruments The Calibration Code of Practice was introduced in January 1997 as a means of demonstrating to all interested parties that UKWF members operate to the highest standards of integrity and professional practice
It provides a calibration traceable to national/international standards which will adequately provide the level of accuracy and traceability required by customers whose Quality System is in accordance with the ISO9000 series of standards.
Members' compliance with the code is mandatory and its introduction has been welcomed by a number of trade associations and individual customers.
The code lays down standards of competence that members have to meet when providing calibration services for their customers, and provides recommendations on the tests to be performed, together with required accuracy limits.
It sets out the procedures for the calibration of weighing equipment, the selection of personnel and test equipment which should be used and the methods of recording the calibration results.
The code, which is reviewed regularly, also requires members to undertake training programmes, meet criteria for the care, custody and calibration of test equipment as well as setting out the data to be included in calibration certificates.
The code, which covers both "legal for trade" and "non trade" weighing equipment, recommends accuracy limits based on normal "legal for trade" use.
However if the instruments being calibrated are never used for "trade" applications then the owners or users of these instruments can define their own appropriate accuracy limits.
In these instances the chosen limits are noted on the calibration certificate issued.
The independent auditor chosen by the board of the UKWF to carry out the audits is an experienced professional, with many years of service in the field of trading standards.
Under the scheme the members will have to demonstrate that they are following all the provisions of the code.
The audit will include a visit to the member's premises, an examination of the documentation and records, a review of the operational procedures and an assessment of the control of the test equipment.
John Anthony, Technical Officer for the UKWF, is clear about the importance of the external audit and as he explains: "The UKWF regularly reviews its codes of practice and we believe that the strengthening of this code through the independent auditing scheme not only gives added value to customers but also clearly shows that the federation 'has teeth'".
"The auditor's report will highlight any areas that need attention and members must then submit a plan for developing and implementing any necessary corrective action".
"In the unlikely event that the audit reveals any major problems the auditor will set a date for a follow-up audit".
"If the problems still exist the auditor will report directly to the UKWF Board who will decide what action is to be taken".
"In the event of any failure to follow the code, there are provisions for sanctions including expulsion from the UKWF".
"Calibration is an important element of any quality system and UKWF Members, through the auspices of the code, provide a reliable, efficient and effective calibration service for weighing equipment".
"The provisions of the code and the auditing scheme that supports it guarantee the quality of that service".
"To ensure that the service received is the service required, we strongly recommend that users of weighing equipment have their calibration carried out by a UKWF Member".
Copies of the Calibration Code of Practice are available from members of the UKWF and details can be found on the federation's website.
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