Welding Quality Management (ISO 3834) Certification

ISO 3834 defines quality requirements for organisations carrying out fusion welding fabrication. Welding is a 'special process' whose result cannot be fully verified without non-destructive testing; the standard therefore secures the capability of the process producing the weld and its personnel, not the product itself. There are three levels: ISO 3834-2 comprehensive, -3 standard, -4 elementary quality requirements.

• Steel structure and construction fabricators (for the CE mark under EN 1090)
• Pressure vessel and pipeline manufacturers (under the PED)
• Rolling-stock and component manufacturers (under EN 15085)
• Manufacturers of cranes, construction machinery and heavy equipment
• Manufacturers of ships and marine structures

The standard itself is not directly mandatory; but many pieces of product legislation and product standards require ISO 3834 conformity. The CE mark for structural steel under EN 1090 requires ISO 3834-2 or -3 conformity depending on the execution class; similar requirements exist for pressure equipment under the PED and rail fabrication under EN 15085. In these cases conformity effectively becomes mandatory.

• Review of requirements and technical review
• Use and control of subcontractors
• Welder and welding-operator qualification (ISO 9606)
• The tasks and responsibilities of welding coordination personnel (ISO 14731)
• Qualification of inspection and testing personnel
• Equipment: suitability, maintenance and records
• Production planning
• The welding procedure specification (WPS) and procedure qualification (WPQR)
• Batch records, consumable storage and parent-material control
• Heat treatment and post-weld operations
• Inspection and testing: before, during and after welding
• Nonconformity and corrective actions; calibration; traceability; quality records

1. 1ApplicationThe organisation's field of activity, headcount, number of sites and scope boundaries are determined. The number of audit days is calculated from this information.
2. 2Document Review (Stage 1)The management system documentation, scope definition, risk assessment and internal-audit/management-review records are examined; readiness for the on-site audit is assessed.
3. 3Certification Audit (Stage 2)It is verified on site that the system is implemented and effective. Findings are classified as major/minor nonconformity or observation.
4. 4Closing NonconformitiesThe organisation submits a root-cause analysis and corrective action plan. The certificate is not issued until major nonconformities are closed.
5. 5Issuing the CertificateThe certificate is issued after review by an independent decision-maker. The audit team cannot make the certification decision.
6. 6Surveillance AuditsA surveillance audit is carried out at least once a year during the certificate's validity. The first surveillance cannot exceed 12 months from the last day of Stage 2.
7. 7RecertificationAt the end of three years, the entire system is re-audited; it must be completed before the certificate expires.

Management system certificates are valid for three years. At least one surveillance audit is carried out per year during this period; the certificate is suspended if surveillance is not carried out. A recertification audit is completed at the end of the third year.

• Trade registry record and operating licence
• The organisation's organisation chart and headcount
• The list of sites/branches within scope
• The management system manual or process documentation
• Internal audit and management review records
• Legal permits, licences and operating documents, if any

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The headcount within scope (directly determines the number of audit days)
• The number of sites and branches; whether multi-site sampling applies
• The activity's risk level and process complexity
• The number of standards to be certified — an integrated audit reduces the number of days
• The three-year cycle: certification + two surveillance audits

Management system certification is carried out within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1. The certification body is accredited by an accreditation body party to the IAF multilateral recognition agreement (IAF MLA); This agreement establishes a chain of international recognition that ensures that a document issued in one country is accepted in other countries. EUROLAB has internationally recognized accreditation from IAF member accreditation bodies within the scope of ISO/IEC 17021-1.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

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• ISO 17034Reference Material Producers
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