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Third-Party Quality Inspections, Element St. Paul, element.com
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Third-Party Quality Inspections:
How onsite agency support helps
companies meet standards
By Tom Kolden, Element St. Paul, 662 Cromwell Ave, St. Paul, MN 55114


WHY THIRD-PARTY QUALITY AUDITS AND INSPECTIONS?
Increasing global demand for goods and services has created a quickly evolving, highly competitive market environment.
Products and services, regardless of where they originate, must satisfy customers quality requirements. To add to the
complexity, ensuring quality control and regulatory compliance across borders is now more complicated than ever.

Manufacturers, regulatory authorities, trade organizations, contractors, designers and sales organizations increasingly rely
onand often requirethird-party inspection agencies to ensure that the products they receive, specify or use comply
with their requirements. A highly qualified third-party quality agency adds certainty to the hard work of building successful
and profitable products, materials, and services.


WHY IS QUALITY SO IMPORTANT?
Ensuring quality is imperative to profitability and public safety. Manufacturers rely on the quality of materials and products
provided by vendors to confirm that the assemblies they create are reliable and safe. Contractors and builders rely on the
quality of the materials and products used in construction to enable compliance to building codes and specifications.
Having it right the first time is imperative, otherwise time and profits are lost.


WHO REQUIRES THIRD-PARTY QUALITY?
Many companies submit their building products and materials for testing and subsequent evaluation to an agency
such as the ICC Evaluation Service, Inc. ., for compliance to the International Building Code or other building code.
Depending on the nature of the building product, it is incumbent upon the manufacturer to have a quality process
and inspection system monitored by a third-party inspection service to verify the manufacture of the building
product continues to satisfy the requirements of the product as originally tested and evaluated. In many cases, the
evaluation agency imposes on the manufacturer the requirement to have ongoing quality inspections by a third-
party quality agency.

Similarly, manufacturers may impose the requirement on their vendors to have a third-party inspection service to
ensure the continued compliance of sub-systems and components that are later integrated into more complex
products or systems. Additionally, some construction projects may require a third-party inspector to monitor
fabrication of materials or installation of complex systems. It may be required to have third-party quality inspections
in order to qualify as an approved vendor.




This document contains general information, no rights can be derived.
Third-Party Quality Inspections, Element St. Paul, element.com
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WHAT IS A THIRD-PARTY QUALITY AGENCY?
A third-party quality agency or provider is familiar with nationally and internationally recognized criteria for conducting
third-party quality control. Such an agency has the knowledge and experience to conduct audits of a manufacturers
processes to determine if quality control procedures actually work to ensure the level of quality required. The agency
should have inspectors that are qualified to understand the products being produced or the services provided to make a
value judgment in regards to it quality.

HOW IS THE QUALITY OF THE THIRD-PARTY AGENCY ASSURED?
There are many companies that offer third-party quality auditing and inspection service; however, for a customer to be
confident in the service, it is imperative the service provider has suitable accreditation and technical expertise. A third-
party inspection service must be accredited by an internationally recognized and respected accreditation body, such as
the International Accreditation Service, Inc. (IAS). Accreditation means the 3rd Party provider demonstrated
comprehensive quality and system procedures to ensure qualified, independent and impartial inspection services are
provided, and that its inspectors are fully trained in the proper procedures, and has the credentials establishing their
expertise in various technologies, and that procedures are in place for addressing customers concerns. In short,
accreditation means that the provider is fully in compliance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17020 General
Criteria for the Operation of Various Types of Bodies Performing Inspections.

Before issuing an accreditation, an agency such as IAS conducted on-site assessment of the inspection service provider
and reviewed their quality manual, records and training to ensure the continued competence to provide such
inspections. In addition, they monitored some of the initial inspections conducted by the provider to ensure their
professional competence in performing audits and inspections. Moreover, to continue the accreditation, they will
periodically conduct surveillance assessments on an ongoing basis to ensure the inspection services continue to be
provided in a manner fully in compliance with the international standard.

WHY USE AN ACCREDITED THIRD-PARTY AGENCY?
Using an accredited third-party agency provides proof that due diligence was used in selecting an accredited agency to
carry out independent inspections in the event of legal action.

While accreditation is crucial, it is also important the personnel tasked with conducting third-party inspections are
competent by training and experience to be able to recognize the effectiveness of the processes of the manufacturer or
fabricator ensure the required specifications are being met. Moreover, it is imperative in many cases for the inspection to
be backed by testing services as a backup to checking the materials or products.

HOW CAN ELEMENT ST. PAUL HELP?
Element St. Paul Corporation is accredited as both a testing laboratory and as an inspection agency, and is staffed with
engineers, inspectors and project managers in a broad range of technical competencies that include:

Welding
Welder certification
Fabrication
Metallurgy
Failure Analysis
Advanced Materials
Investigative Chemistry
Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation
Building Materials (cements, admixtures,
fibers, etc.)
Building Products (mechanical and chemical
anchors, windows & doors, guardrail systems,
composite decking, etc.)
White Papers from Element experts

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With such vast testing, product and material experience, Element has the competence and expertise to provide quality
inspection services in areas such as review of test reports, witnessing of testing, material and/or product sampling, welder
qualifications, review and verification of welding procedures and proficiency qualifications, inspection of coatings, and
more.

For manufacturers seeking evaluations from ICC-ES and other code agencies, Element is accredited to conduct initial
and follow-up inspections pursuant to the requirements of ICC Evaluation Service AC10, and can equally support the
requirements of other code agencies, such as the Florida Building Commission and Miami-Dade. In addition, Element can
review quality managing systems and assess their effectiveness in ensuring that the quality processes result in products
that are in-specification.

Moreover, Element can help a manufacturer or service provider to develop and implement and effective quality
management system. We can advise how the manufacturing processes might be improved to ensure the products and
materials being produced satisfy the required quality specifications.


QUALITY IS NOT OPTIONAL
These days, budgets are tight and turnaround is tighter. Using a competent and accredited third-party inspection agency
is a great way to ensure that your products and services are ready for market, and to position yourself ahead of your
competition. Element third-party quality inspection services help you to protect and improve your business
opportunities.

Contact Tom Kolden at tom.kolden@element.com or 651 645 3601.