In the various industrial sectors where welds are used as permanent joints on metal materials, it is required that the welder (or welding or brazing operator) who performs the welding be qualified and certified by an authorized body in accordance with specific technical standards.
The PED Directive requires that personnel responsible for performing permanent welds and joints be approved by a Notified Body (NoBo) or a Third Party Recognized by a Member State (RTPO). The certification process in the regulated field (PED Directive) follows the requirements indicated by the ISO 17024 accreditation standard according to which C&P is accredited.
The qualification of the welder/operator in charge of making permanent joints is a personal qualification and is part of the personnel certification.
C&P is a Notified Body authorized in accordance with Annex I art. 3.1.2 of the PED Directive for the qualification of personnel responsible for the execution of permanent joints.
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C&P S.r.l. is able to provide support for qualification and certification service in accordance with the major main recognized welding standards, among which the most widespread are UNI EN ISO series 9606, UNI EN ISO 14732, ASME IX, AWS D1.1. In Europe, the certification service for welders must be issued by a notified body in the European community and operate in accordance with the ISO 17024 accreditation standard. C&P S.r.l., through its specialized and qualified technicians in accordance with specific requirements, can provide you with a qualification and certification service that is not limited to meeting the requirements, but is also support in the application and interpretation of the technical standards of the sector.
Welder Certification (WPQ) is a process through which a welder’s ability to perform quality welds in accordance with required standards is demonstrated. This certification is obtained by the qualification of a welder through practical tests and evaluations of his technical skills.
According to ASME VIII-1, welders must be qualified in accordance with Section IX of the ASME Code. This involves demonstrating welding skills through hands-on tests that simulate real-world working conditions.
EN 13445 establishes similar procedures for the qualification of welders in accordance with UNI EN ISO series 9606 and UNI EN ISO 14732, which contain specific criteria to ensure that they are able to perform high-quality welds on pressure vessels.
Certification of welding procedures and welders is a crucial aspect of ensuring the quality, safety, and compliance of equipment and products involving welding operations.
In the context of the PED Directive, the qualifications of welding processes and welders do not necessarily have to follow European standards (harmonised or not) but must comply with the requirements of the manufacturing standard chosen by the manufacturer, provided that they are accompanied by the tests and examinations required by the appropriate harmonised standards or equivalent examinations and tests.
C&P provides a certification service that covers all of these requirements in a professional and comprehensive manner, including any laboratory activities required for the qualifications.
How to get certified...
A manufacturer who wishes to apply to C&P for the qualification of his welding or permanent joint manufacturing processes must proceed as follows:
- Submit RFQ or issue work purchase order.
- Prepare and submit the certification application by filling out the AM048 N form indicating:
- References of the person applying for certification (welder/operator in charge of making permanent joints)
- Name and surname;
- Place and date of birth;
- Registered residence;
- Type and number of the identity document.
- Employer references
- Business name;
- Registered office;
- Tax code and VAT number.
- Commercial references;
- Company name and registered office of the manufacturer;
- Place of inspection and reference contact;
- Applicable WPS
- In the notes, if necessary, enter the actual dimensions of the test specimens.
- The period of validity chosen on the basis of harmonized standards;
- Qualification/certification standard;
- A written declaration explaining that the same application has not been submitted to any other notified body.
- Renewal Application:
- Also for renewal, it is necessary to fill in the same document indicating the references of the certificate of origin.
The application for certification must be signed by the welder/operator in charge of making the permanent joints.
- Attach to application.
- WPS;
- Welder’s ID card;
- In case of renewal, include the documents attesting to the evidence required by the applicable standard (i.e. X-ray reports, ultrasonic reports, welder continuity) and the original certificate of qualification.