Whatsup CONTENTS. Newsletter of the South African National Accreditation System. December 2017

Transcription

1 Whatsup December 2017 CONTENTS CEO Festive season message... Pg 02 A CELEBRATION OF LIFE: Dr Elsabe Jaatjie Steyn... Pg 03 Publication of ISO/IEC and ISO/IEC Pg 04 AMENDED AGRI-BEE SECTOR CODE... Pg 05 New Applicants Workshop... Pg 06 Regional updates... Pg 07 01

2 CEO Festive season message It is again that time of the year again for a well-earned rest with family and friends and to wonder what 2018 will bring. This year we have seen changes in our economic, political and social environment that have affected all of us, both positively and negatively. At SANAS we have had our challenges and gains whilst at the same time keeping our attention on our customer s and how we connect with you. To date, we have made significant strides towards our 2017 goals with some exciting initiatives well under way. Here are a few of those achievements and initiatives: Successfully underwent the AFRAC peer evaluation in August 2017; Abide the challenges with the IT speed, we have successfully completed phase 2 of the SANAS Shanduka ICT project, allowing for online applications; The new SANAS Head Office is progressing well with relocation date scheduled for May 2018; SANAS appointed as Treasure for ILAC; SANAS regional support has come to fruition with the SADCAS from SADC, KENAS from Kenya and ENAO from Ethiopia becoming signatories to the ILAC MRA. In addition, KENAS also become a signatory of the IAF MLA; The international recognition of AFRAC is well underway and as Secretariat, SANAS continues to influence the process. We hope that international recognition of AFRAC will be finalised within the first quarter of We are progressing well with the plans for the implementation of Phase 3 of the SANAS Shanduka project. Phase 3 will address the automation of the on-site and document control process. Please keep your eyes open for the SANAS billboard placed on the various main roads. On behalf of team SANAS, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers, suppliers, Assessors, committee members and government for their ongoing support. We wish you a blessed and safe festive season and a prosperous 2018!! 02

3 A CELEBRATION OF LIFE: DR ELSABE JAATJIE STEYN By Ron Josias Dr Elsabe J Steyn, joined the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in 1985 as an Assistant Director. During her tenure at the dti, Elsabe was actively involved in the national and regional work. This led to engagements in the following industries: automotive, fisheries, electric goods, wood and wood products and chemical. She was a co-chair of the South African Multistakeholder Chemical Committee as a result of her work on the Strategic Approach to International Chemical Management. After South Africa joined SADC, Elsabe represented the dti in the SADC SQAM work. This is where she gained experience in the areas of standardisation, quality assurance, accreditation and metrology. In 1994, together with her colleague Eric Kruger, Tshenge Demana, and later joined by Anna-Marie Lotter, they started the review of the South African quality infrastructure. The review recognised the independence of SANAS, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) as the South African Quality Infrastructure. In 2004 she became the Director of the Standard and Environment Division now called the Technical Infrastructure Directorate, her duties involved ensuring that the Quality Infrastructure Institutions Acts were promulgated. During the same period Elsabe also followed through with the implementation of the plastic bag Act. Dr Steyn gained international experience in Europe, China, India, United States of America and Australia in the areas of quality management and as Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) expert. She was involved in Free Trade Area and Preferential Trade Agreement negotiation with India, European Free Trade Association, the European Union and Mercusor. She was involved in the World Trade Organisation TBT negotiations and the 2008 and 2014 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol TBT Annex, The Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) TBT Annex and latterly the continental Free Trade Area s TBT annexure. She was part of the establishment of Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) and played a key role in the establishment and administration of the African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) and the SADC Accreditation Cooperation for which she held the position of Regional Coordinator and Head of the SADCA Secretariat. She was extensively involved with SADC work as an Expert Group Member on Standardisation, Accreditation, Quality Assurance and Metrology. This is the area that she was passionate about. She represented government at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) alliance between the South African Government, Business and Labour. Elsabe joined SANAS on the 01st November 2011 as Senior Manager for Strategy and Development, her duties included for SANAS Regional Integration plan, covering accreditation matters. Her wealth of experience, love for our continent and country has seen her further commit herself into ensuring that the accreditation infrastructure within the continent comes to fruition. One of Elsabe s last projects, which she will unfortunately not realise, is the completion of the SANAS new Head Office. The building will always remind us of her and the contributions she made. May her soul rest in peace. 03

4 Publication of ISO/IEC and ISO/IEC A notification was received from CASCO Secretary, Sean Mac Curtain (Director, Conformity Assessment). The following standards were published: ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; ISO/IEC 17011:2017, Conformity assessment - Requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies. Sean Mac Curtain acknowledges everyone that participated in this project. For more details you may go to: Source ISO/CASCO circular letter, dated 01 December 2017, by CASCO Secretary, Sean Mac Curtain (Director, Conformity Assessment). 04

5 AMENDED AGRI-BEE SECTOR CODE Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) Issued a media release on 08th December 2017, regarding the Amended Agri-BEE Sector Code. The Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies, gazetted the Amended Agri-BEE Sector Code for implementation by entities in both public and private sector. The Sector Code will serve as guidelines for transformation of the Agricultural Sector. It replaces the old Agri -BEE Sector code, which was gazetted in December The scope of application of the Amended Agri-BEE Sector Code includes: The primary production of agricultural products; The provision of inputs and services to Enterprises engaged in the production of agricultural products; The beneficiation of agricultural products whether of a primary or semi-beneficiated form; and The storage, distribution, and/or trading and allied activities related to non-beneficiated agricultural products. Minister Davies adds that generally targets of the Amended Agri-BEE Sector Code are higher than the ones of the Generic Code. One of the key highlights of the Amended Agri-BEE Sector code is an increase of the target for supplier development to 3% of Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) (which is higher than 2% of NPAT of the Generic Codes). The aim is to create a pipeline of black suppliers and black industrialists within the value chain of the South African agricultural industry, indicates Minister Davies. According to Minister Davies, the Amended Agri-BEE Sector Code is recognising initiatives that will enhance the sector. In addition to strengthen the drive towards creating black suppliers, black commercial farmers and black industrialists, enhanced recognition is given to initiatives that result in Greenfield ventures, job creation and beneficiation of primary products, support for land reform projects, and support for localisation of goods and services not being produced in SA currently, says the Minister Furthermore, and in support of land reform process, the sector code make a provision for the that the current owners of land to transfer at least 30% of productive agricultural land to black people under the ownership element. The 30% land ownership target is not static and therefore it shall be reviewed from time to time. Minister Rob Davies urged all entities, Verification Agencies, associations, sub-sectors organisations and unions in the agricultural sector to report annually to the Agri-BEE Sector Charter Council on their B-BBEE status and transformation achievements. The Agri-BEE Sector Charter Council is the body that has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to monitor implementation of this sector code. Click on the links to access the code: Link: part 1: Link: part 2: Source: the dti, Departmental Spokesperson, Sidwell Medupe 05

6 NEW APPLICANTS WORKSHOP By Nombongo Ngobe SANAS new applicant session was held in Gauteng on the 15 th November 2017, at Burgers Part Hotel in Pretoria. This annual information session is for facilities that are in the process of obtaining accreditation or have recently been granted accreditation. The aim is to provide new applicants that are applying for accreditation for the first time with information about the SANAS processes, procedures, terms and conditions and other relevant information that might make it easier for facilities that are new to the process. The discussion topics outlined the following SANAS policies and processes: SANAS Overview and accreditation; The accreditation process, suspension, withdrawals and fees structure; Online application (Shanduka); Responsibilities of the Nominated Representative; Conditions on the use of the accreditation symbol and combined mark; SANAS terms and conditions; and Handling of complaints and appeals. Mr Malembe Mtsweni from Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) was invited to attend and share the information with delegates the information on SEDA Technology Programme (STP) offerings. Moreover, Ms Lindiwe Sekete from Aspen Pharmacare Nutritionals was interviewed by Mr Shadrack Phophi SANAS accreditation manager, about their journey and experience on the process of accreditation. As Aspen Pharmacare Nutritionals are newly accredited this exercise was to share the experience with the representatives that attended the meeting. All SANAS presenters used the opportunity to share critical information with new applicants SANAS overview, and benefits for a Conformity assessment body who obtains SANAS accreditation. These benefits include: Improved management policies; More effective and efficient operations; Stronger risk management strategies; Credibility with government and customers; and International recognition. Also the rights and obligations of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) were explained to the audience. As a CAB you have the following rights: The right to be evaluated by SANAS for the purpose to be accredited; The right to be issued a SANAS accreditation certificate if your body complies will all the requirements, criteria and conditions applicable; The right to provide accredited conformity assessment services to your clients; The right to the promotion of your accredited services to clients; The right to use the accreditation symbol of SANAS on your certificate issued to your clients; The right to use the logos such as that of ILAC and IAF where relevant and approved by SANAS; and The right to complain if you are not satisfied with SANAS s services. CABs also have obligation which are: The obligation to comply at all times with SANAS accreditation criteria including the specific competencies specified in your accreditation certificate; The obligation to prevent the misuse of accreditation, including misrepresentation of data from you as the conformity assessment body; The obligation to prevent the misuse of the SANAS accreditation symbol; The obligation to prevent the misuse use logos such as that of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF); The obligation to return an accreditation certificate when requested by SANAS to do so; and The obligation to inform your client if your accreditation is withdrawn, suspended or expirers. A record number of 95 new applicants attended the session. If you are considering SANAS accreditation you may contact our offices on or visit our website on www. sanas.co.za 06

7 REGIONAL UPDATES 08 th AFRAC GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS 23 rd 29 th SEPTEMBER 2017 By Fikile Skosana The African Accreditation Cooperation (AFRAC) held its 08 th General Assembly meetings from 23 rd 29 th September 2017 at the Fairmont Nile City Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. The meetings were hosted by Egyptian Accreditation Council (EGAC) an AFRAC Arrangement Member and Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Signatory. The AFRAC GA Meetings included meetings of the AFRAC Executive Committee (EXCO), Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) Committee, Technical Committee (TC), MRA Council and the various Committees Working Groups. The following workshops were also held during the course of the meetings: AFRAC MRA decision making Workshop, ISO/IEC FDIS Workshop, ISO/IEC FDIS Workshop, ILAC A3 and the ISO/IEC :2016 and ISO/IEC :2017. The official Opening Ceremony for the 8t h AFRAC General Assembly meetings was held on 25 September 2017 and were officially opened by Mr Hany El Desouki (EGAC Director General) on behalf of His Excellency Eng. Terek Kabil, Minister of Trade and Industry. Mr Hany El Desouki welcomed all guests and members in attendance and expressed his appreciation to AFRAC for affording EGAC to host the AFRAC meetings once again. Mr Hany El Desouki read out the Ministers speech on behalf of the Minister. Speeches were also received from Mr Araya Fesseha (AFRAC Chair), Dr Ali Elbireer (CEO of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM)) and Eng. Mohammed Saleh Badri (International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF)). The MRA Committee meeting was held on 26 September 2017 the meeting reviewed reports from the Peer Evaluations conducted and provided recommendations to the MRA Council. The Committee also received recommendations from the Evaluators Working Group on the qualifying and extending of scopes for AFRAC Evaluators. The Committee plans to conduct a refresher course for the AFRAC Evaluators based on the harmonised Peer Evaluation process and revised ISO/IEC 17011:2017 Standard in May The Technical Committee meeting was also held on 26 th September 2017 to receive reports and draft 2017/18 work plans from the Inspection Working Group, Certification Working Group and the Calibration and Testing Working Group. The Working Groups Work plans were incorporated into the Technical Committee 2017/18 Work plan which was presented for approval to the General Assembly. AFRAC Technical Publications were reviewed and are planned to be published once they have undergone the necessary approval process, approved Technical Publications are available on the AFRAC website. Some of the AFRAC Opening Ceremony Delegates The MRA Council reviewed the Kenya National Accreditation Service (KENAS) Peer Evaluation report and agreed that KENAS be admitted to Full Signatory status as an AFRAC Arrangement Member of the AFRAC MRA for the following scopes: Calibration (ISO/IEC 17025), Testing (ISO/IEC 17025), Medical Testing (ISO 15189), Inspection (ISO/IEC 17020) and Certification (ISO/IEC ) In the following Sub-Scopes: QMS (ISO 9001), EMS (ISO

8 and FSMS (ISO 22000). The MRA Council also reviewed the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) Scope Extension Evaluation report and agreed that SADCAS MRA Signatory status as Arrangement member of the AFRAC MRA be extended to include Medical Testing (ISO 15189) and Inspection (ISO/IEC 17020). The EXCO met to review the terms of reference for a feasibility study that is planned to be carried out in 2018 into the registration of AFRAC with funding been approved by the Physikalisch- Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany. In line with the revision of ISO/IEC the EXCO resolved that a course on the implementation on the revised Standard be conducted in 2018 during the General Assembly meetings. EXCO also approved the AFRAC Marketing and Communication Working Group Work plan for 2017/18. The 08 th AFRAC General Assembly meeting was held on 29 September 2017 and was attended by AFRAC Members and delegates from Egypt. The General Assembly reviewed and approved the Committees 2017/18 Work plans, the Work plans are available on the AFRAC website The Treasurer presented the AFRAC expenditure report for the period 1 January 31 December 2016 and the draft 2018 budget which was approved by the General Assembly. Elections were held during the General Assembly meeting for the following Office Bearers: Ms Maureen Mutasa from the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service (SADCAS) was re-elected as the AFRAC Vice Chair for a period of two years (September 2017 September 2019); Mr Mpho Phaloane SANAS Executive: Accreditation was elected as the AFRAC Technical Committee Chair for a term of two years (September 2017 September 2019); and Mr Moez Boughalmi from the Tunisia Accreditation Council (TUNAC) was re-elected as the AFRAC MRA Committee and MRA Council Chair for a term of two years (September 2017 September 2019). A gala dinner and signing ceremony was hosted by EGAC was held on a boat in the Nile River where a new AFRAC member the Nigerian National Accreditation Service (NINAS) certificate was signed and handed over, along with signing of the KENAS MRA Signatory certificate and SADCAS updated MRA Signatory certificate as well. The Workshop facilitators were also awarded with certificates of appreciation for conducting the workshops held during the duration of the meetings. The 2018 AFRAC Mid-year meetings will be held in Kenya in May And the next General Assembly meetings will be held in September 2018 at a venue to be announced at a later stage. Ms Maureen Mutasa (SADCAS) AFRAC Vice Chair, Mr Araya Fesseha (ENAO) AFRAC Chair and Ms Yolanda Vinnicombe (SANAS) AFRAC Secretariat during the General Assembly meeting Physical addresses the dti Campus 77 Meintjies Street Sunnyside, Pretoria 0002 SANAS Knowledge Transfer Centre 121 Muckleneuck Street Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria +27 (0) Private Bag X23 Sunnyside Pretoria, 0132 South Africa Main Switchboard +27 (0) General Fax Number +27 (0)