ASTM E1212-99
(Practice)Standard Practice for Quality Control Systems for Nondestructive Testing Agencies
Standard Practice for Quality Control Systems for Nondestructive Testing Agencies
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers general requirements for the establishment and maintenance of a quality control system for agencies engaged in nondestructive testing (NDT).
1.2 This practice utilizes criteria contained in Practice E543 and Guide E548.
1.3 This practice utilizes criteria contained in ANSI/ ASQC American National Standards Q90 Series.
1.4 This practice recognizes the importance of establishing minimum safety criteria.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E 1212 – 99
Standard Practice for
Quality Control Systems for Nondestructive Testing
Agencies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1212; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.4 AIA Standard:
NAS 410 NAS Certification and Qualification of Nonde-
1.1 This practice covers general requirements for the estab-
structive Testing Personnel
lishment and maintenance of a quality control system for
agencies engaged in nondestructive testing (NDT).
3. Terminology
1.2 This practice utilizes criteria contained in Practice
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
E 543.
3.1.1 agency, n—the public, independent, or in-house non-
1.3 This practice utilizes criteria contained in ANSI/ASQC
destructive testing organization selected by the authority to
American National Standards Q90 Series.
perform the examination(s) required by the purchase order or
1.4 This practice recognizes the importance of establishing
specification.
minimum safety criteria.
3.1.2 authority, n—the owner, prime contractor, engineer,
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
architect, or purchasing agent in responsible charge of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
work, or duly recognized or designated representative.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.3 continuous quality improvement, n—an ongoing qual-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
ity improvement activity for achieving results. Improvement
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
may be directed at individual processes, finished products, or
2. Referenced Documents administrative processes. The continuous quality improvement
program utilizes statistical methods, team projects, and other
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tools as appropriate to obtain and sustain improvements.
E 543 Practice for Agencies Performing Nondestructive
3.1.4 customer, n—customer is used with the same meaning
Testing
as “authority.”
E 1359 Guide for Evaluating Capabilities of Nondestructive
2 3.1.5 process capability, n—the degree to which a process
Testing Agencies
can produce the same results without variation, that is, repro-
2.2 ASNT/ANSI Standards:
ducibility.
SNT-TC-1A Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualifi-
3.1.6 process control, n—managing a process to ensure that
cation and Certification in Nondestructive Testing
it is performing to its designed capability.
CP 189 Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive
3.1.7 quality control system, n—the organizational struc-
Testing Personnel
ture, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and
2.3 ANSI/ASQ American National Standards:
resources for implementing and maintaining the quality pro-
A8402 Management and Quality Assurance-Vocabulary
gram.
Q9000 Series of Quality Management and Quality Assur-
3.1.8 quality manual, n—a comprehensive document stating
ance (Q9000 through Q9004 inclusive) Standards (These
the quality policy and specifying organizational structure,
are exact equivalents to the ISO 9000 through ISO 9004
practices, and procedures necessary to empower the quality
series)
policy and quality control system.
3.1.9 quality objectives, n—specific obtainable improve-
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-7 on Nonde-
ment goals supporting the quality program.
structive Testing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E07.09 on
3.1.10 quality policy, n—the overall intentions and direction
Nondestructive Testing Laboratories.
of an organization regarding quality as formally expressed by
Current edition approved June 10, 1999. Published August 1999. Originally
published as E 1212 – 87. Last previous edition E 1212 – 95.
top management.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.03.
Available from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, 1711 Arlin-
gate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228-0518.
4 5
Available from the American Society for Quality , 310 West Wisconsin Avenue, Available from Aerospace Industries Association of America, 1250 Eye Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53203. NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20005.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1212–99
3.1.11 quality records, n—formal documentation of inspec- 5.6.1 Quality Responsibility—The quality responsibility of
tion results or data supporting the quality control system. each unit within the organization shall be approved by the chief
3.1.12 Examples are: audit reports, calibration data, NDT operation officer of each unit.
records, process qualification results, qualification data, and 5.6.2 Quality Performance Reporting—Responsibility for
test data. reporting performance against stated quality objectives to
higher management should rest with functions independent of
those responsible for the attainment of those objectives. Pro-
4. Significance and Use
cedures for documentation and record retention should be
4.1 This practice covers procedures for establishing and
established.
maintaining a quality system for nondestructive testing agen-
5.6.3 Quality System Audits—To provide assurance, a peri-
cies.
odic audit of the quality control system should be made by an
4.2 Controlling the quality of service rendered is a continu-
organizational element independent of the unit being audited or
ing process. This practice provides guidelines for establishing
by a qualified third party. It may include, as appropriate:
a quality control system that provides for: calibration, stan-
5.6.3.1 Management audits to determine how well quality
dardization, reference samples, inspection plans, and proce-
policy and objectives are being met,
dures.
5.6.3.2 System audits, including testing process audits to
4.3 The basic requirements for a quality control system
determine how well quality planning has been implemented
encompass the following areas, all of which shall be docu-
and to identify areas where changes would be beneficial to the
mented.
quality services performed, and
4.3.1 Quality policy statement, planning, and administra-
5.6.3.3 Records documenting findings and corrective and
tion,
preventive actions taken.
4.3.2 Organization,
4.3.3 Human resources,
6. Organization
4.3.4 Physical resources, and
6.1 The following information concerning the organization
4.3.5 Quality control.
of the agency shall be documented.
6.1.1 A description of the organization including:
5. Quality Policy Statement, Planning, and
6.1.1.1 The complete legal name and address of the main
Administration
office,
5.1 Policy Statement—A policy statement shall describe
6.1.1.2 The names and positions of the principal officers and
management’s specific intention and policy with respect to
directors,
quality. The policy statement should specify an organized
6.1.1.3 The agency’s ownership, managerial structure, and
approach for carrying out those intentions and should address
principal members,
itself to all major quality parameters. It should be approved by
6.1.1.4 The functional description of the agency’s organiza-
the chief executive officer for company-wide policies or by
tional structure, operational departments, and support depart-
subordinate officers for specialized policies. Periodic audits
ments and services. This may be demonstrated in the form of
should be required to ensure adherence to quality policies.
charts that depict all the divisions, departments, sections and
5.2 Quality Objectives—Objectives should be established
units, and their relationships,
for appropriate key elements of performance such as safety
6.1.1.5 All relevant organizational affiliates of the agency
requirements, internal performance levels, vendor perfor-
and principal officers of affiliates and directors of affiliates
mance, training, and qualification of personnel.
where applicable,
5.3 Quality Control System—A quality control system shall
6.1.1.6 External organizations and organizational compo-
be established that will carry out the stated policies and
nents and their functions that are utilized for significant
objectives.
technical support services, and
5.4 Quality Planning—Planning for each new or modified
6.1.1.7 A brief history of the agency including its relation-
process or test method should define those characteristics to be
ship with its organizational component affiliations and other
controlled.
supporting information.
5.5 Quality Manual—The quality policy and system shall
6.1.2 A listing of the relevant technical services offered.
be documented and be in accessible form, such as a quality
6.1.3 A list giving applicable dates of qualifications and
manual or series of manuals. Key elements should include, as
accreditations.
necessary:
5.5.1 The general quality statement,
7. Human Resources
5.5.2 A description of the quality system,
5.5.3 A general description of quality planing requirements 7.1 General—Those aspects of the quality system where the
with specifics for each product category where appropriate,
work of the employees will affect the quality of products shall
5.5.4 The requirements of Practice E 543 pertaining to the be identified, and specific action taken to control them.
laboratory procedure manual, and
7.2 Management Responsibilities—The quality-related re-
5.5.5 Typically used examination procedures. quirements, duties, and responsibilities of all personnel shall be
5.6 Administration—Clear lines of authority shall be estab- identified. Job criteria that are quality-related should be speci-
lished to administer the quality control system. fied in job descriptions to permit proper employee selection.
E1212–99
7.3 Employee Selection and Training—Employees shall be 9.1.2 Supplier Quality Program and Selection Methods—
selected on the basis of capability and experience or the Procedures shall be established for the selection and qualifica-
potential to fully qualify for the job. A training program shall tion of suppliers, such as supplier surveys, past quality history,
be maintained to ensure employees develop and retain skill and industry history. Each supplier’s quality capability shall be
competence. Nondestructive testing (NDT) personnel shall be
periodically evaluated, including audit visits where appropri-
qualified in accordance with a nationally recognized NDT ate, based upon performance. The requirements for quality
personnel qualification practice or standard such as ANSI/
control management shall be established in the purchase
ASNT-CP-189, SNT-TC-1A, AIA/NAS 410, or a similar docu- agreement. The purchase agreement should include the ele-
ment. The practice or standard used and the applicable revision
ments of the quality control system that are to be performed by
shall be specified in the contractual agreement between the the supplier in assuring quality.
using parties.
9.1.3 Receiving Inspection—For those purchased items
7.4 The agency shall provide the following documentation:
where inspection upon receipt is acceptable, inspection of
7.4.1 A written outline or chart giving operational personnel
submitted items shall be performed to the degree and extent
positions and their lines of responsibility and authority, and
needed to determine acceptability. Receiving inspection shall
7.4.2 A summary job description for each professional,
include well-maintained records so that past supplier perfor-
scientific, supervisory, and technical position category includ-
mance is available. Adequate facilities and procedures for
ing the required education, training and experience, certifica-
storage, handling, protection, and controlled release of pur-
tion, or professional licenses.
chased materials shall be established. Materials inspected,
7.5 The agency shall provide a description of its methods of
tested, and approved shall be separated from withheld or
maintaining personnel records to document the qualifications,
rejected materials.
work experience, and training history of each person in the
9.1.4 Nonconforming Material Control—Control of non-
position described in 7.2. The agency shall also provide a
conforming purchased supplies or equipment shall be main-
description of its means of ensuring confidence in its human
tained to ensure that such items are not used.
resources including the maintenance of records.
9.1.5 Subcontracted Services—When the agency utilizes
8. Physical Resources
the services of another agency to perform all or part of its
services, provisions shall be made to ensure that the activities
8.1 The agency shall provide an inventory of its relevant
are performed in accordance with the purchaser’s require-
physical resources including:
ments. Actions to be taken shall be included in the agency’s
8.1.1 A general description of the agency’s facilities for
quality assurance manual. The requirements of Guide E 1359
NDT related activities.
shall be used as a guide in evaluating the quality system of the
8.1.2 An inventory of equipment used to perform NDT
subcontracted agency.
including the following for each item of equipment:
8.1.2.1 Type of equipment and use, 9.2 Measuring and Test Equipment:
8.1.2.2 Name of manufacturer,
9.2.1 Measuring and test equipment shall be of the type,
8.1.2.3 The equipment model and serial number,
range, accuracy, precision, stability, and resolution appropriate
8.1.2.4 Properties of the equipment subject to standardiza-
for its intended use.
tion or calibration,
9.2.2 Measuring and test equipment shall be calibrated and
8.1.2.5 The range of operation and range of calibration,
controlled to ensure accuracy of measurement of product and
8.1.2.6 Reference to a recognized calibration procedure,
processes to specified requirements. A calibration system shall
8.1.2.7 Frequency of calibration, and
be established to ensure that measuring and test equipment are
8.1.2.8 Allowable tolerances or maximum sensitivity.
maintained by periodic calibration against certified equipment
8.1.3 A system of written procedures for each NDT service
traceable to nationally recognized standards and serviced so
performed by the agency. The procedures shall include a
that equipment will function properly and are within their
description of the methods used for NDT and the methods used
prescribed limits.
for data recording, data processing, data reporting, and for
9.2.3 The calibration system shall be an integral part of the
certification of the results. When required, customer approval
quality control system that will ensure the quality of the
shall be obtained.
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