International Authorisation Board (IAB) partners of International Organization for Standardizatio

LISBON, Portugal - Nov. 13, 2014 - PRLog -- The International Authorization Board a body in the International Institute of Welding (IIW/IAB) and the International Organization for Standardization have committed to support the welding industry and ensure that they help support the leading-edge developments in the most critical areas for the industry’s advances. The agreement covers ISO/TC 44/SC 10 and -11. This agreement means there is now a formal link with the committees that are responsible for the most important welding standards – “Unification of requirements in the field of metal welding” and “Qualification requirements for welding and allied processes personnel.”

Partnering for the future and supporting its members

The requirements that such a liaison comprises include its reciprocity, meaning that the liaison shall operate in both directions, with suitable reciprocal arrangements. As a result, IIW/IAB will contribute to the technical work of ISO or IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) where appropriate but integrated within ISO/IEC procedures. As in any agreement of this scope, the arrangements are subject to at least a 2 yearly evaluation.

For technical committees/subcommittees, the ISO specification refers to two levels, of which IIW/IAB complies with the one pertaining to organizations that make an effective contribution to the work of the technical committee or subcommittee for questions that are under their scope of activity. Such organizations are given access to all relevant documentation and are invited to meetings. The additional requirements concerning eligibility are completely fulfilled by IIW/IAB.

Rights and obligations

To be specific, IIW/IAB Group A (and B) have access to all ISO/TC 44/SC 10 and -11 committee documents. If there is a need for specific comments, or proposals for revision, or new standards, the IIW/IAB is entitled to specify and draft a proposal. Any comments from liaison organizations should be given the same treatment as comments from ISO member bodies. It is the responsibility of the ISO Technical Committees and subcommittees to seek the backing of the organizations that have liaison status (IIW/IAB) for the documents in which the latter is interested.

What are the partnership results?

IIW/IAB Group B shall nominate a member as “liaison officer”, who will be granted access to the ISO/TC 44/SC 10 and -11 committee documents and is responsible for dissemination of the basic contents of the on-going activities to the IIW/IAB Group B. This liaison officer shall be the “trait d’union” between the two organisations.

ISO/TC 44/SC 10 deals with “Unification of requirements in the field of metal welding” (ISO 3834, ISO 5817, ISO 15614-series, and more) and ISO/TC 44/SC 11 is responsible for “Qualification requirements for welding and allied processes personnel” (ISO 9606-series, ISO 14731, ISO 14732 and the ISO 15618 series).

About the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting

EWF is a pioneer in implementing a harmonized qualification and certification system for joining professionals. Through European projects EWF has been innovating in welding training methodologies, and involved in the development of new technologies and uses for welding and joining. Through its member organisations, EWF has established a firm link to the local industry, providing knowledge and training as well as participating in research initiatives that address the most pressing questions and challenges in the field of welding. Bearing that in mind and considering the need to be close and participate in the standardisation activities EWF is a Liaison organisation of CEN and is involved in CEN TC 121.