hkas news issue 53 - itc...accreditation day 2013, hong kong accreditation service (hkas) and hong...

HKASNews Issue No. 53

Hong Kong Accreditation Service August 2013

Seminar to Celebrate the World Accreditation Day 2013

HKAS Assessor Seminar 2013

New Accreditation Service Under HKCAS

World Accreditation Day 2013

P.3

P.5

P.11

Table of Contents

Seminar to Celebrate the World Accreditation Day 2013 – “Accreditation: Facilitating World Trade”


Joint Plenary Meeting of PASC and PAC 2013

IAF and ILAC Mid-Term Meetings 2013, Frankfurt, Germany

New Accreditation Service under HKCAS – Accreditation of Certification Bodies for Certification of Management System of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers

APLAC Training Course on ISO 15189:2012

New Edition of ISO 15189:2012

Meeting of Accreditation Bodies from Mainland China, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong exchanged ideas and experience in accreditation of medical testing laboratories and related fields

Workshop – MLA Enhancement Project on Product Certification (ISO/IEC 17065:2012) in Indonesia

Transition for Accreditation of Product Certification Bodies to ISO/IEC 17065:2012

Workshop on ISO/IEC 17020:2012

ISO/IEC 17021:2011 Assessor Training and Seminar for Certification Bodies

HKAS First Assessment Feedback Seminar for Accredited Medical Testing Laboratories

New Accreditation Services on Diagnostic Tests on Concrete – Infrared Thermography and Surface Penetration Radar Survey

Training Workshop on Calibration of General Equipment used in Medical Testing Laboratories

Proficiency Testing Programme under the Test Category of Construction Materials

HKAS Policy on Application for Accreditation

New and Revised HKAS Documents

Proficiency Testing Updates

Accreditation Updates

02

03

05

07

09

11

12

14

15

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

25

26

27

29

30

36/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Tel: 2829 4840 Fax: 2824 1302

Email: [email protected]: http://www.hkas.gov.hk

Every care has been taken to check the accuracy of the information included in this newsletter. However, HKAS Executive does not guarantee its accuracy and readers should note that if they make use of such information, they do so at their own risk. The views and opinions in the articles provided by third parties do not reflect those of HKAS Executive.

N e w s I s s u e N o . 5 3 Contents

Speaker: Mr Nigel Jou, Chairman of Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation

Seminar to Celebrate the World Accreditation Day 2013Accreditation: Facilitating World Trade

Every year on June 9th, the world celebrates World Accreditation Day, which is a global initiative jointly established by the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to promulgate the importance of accreditation-related activities. This year, as one of the worldwide celebration events of the World Accreditation Day 2013, Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) and Hong Kong Council for Testing and Certification (HKCTC) jointly organised a seminar on 14 June 2013. The title of the seminar was “Accreditation: Facilitating World Trade”, which echoed the theme of this year’s World Accreditation Day.

HKAS NEWS ISSUE NO.53 - 03

he half-day seminar was held at the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hotel. Two hundred and forty participants attended the seminar, including delegates from accreditation bodies, practitioners of local testing and certification industries, officers of government

departments, lecturers and students from academic institutions, representatives of public organisations, manufacturers, trading companies and other stakeholders.

The seminar began with a welcoming remark delivered by Mr W. W. Wong, the HKAS Executive Administrator. Mr Wong expressed his gratitude to all speakers and welcomed all participants of the seminar. As the first speaker, Mr Wong illustrated the theme of “Accreditation: Facilitating World Trade” by the principle of mutual recognition arrangement between signatory accreditation bodies. In his speech, Mr Wong also exemplified the role of accreditation in trades between Hong Kong and other economies.

After that, two honorary speakers, Mr Nigel Jou, the chair of Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC) and the Chief Executive Officer of Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF), and Mr Graham Talbot, former chairman of the European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA), shared their views on the support of free trade by accreditation. In his speech, Mr Jou elaborated on how trade is supported under the accreditation framework of ILAC (global), APLAC (regional) and TAF (domestic). In addition, Mr Talbot introduced the evolution of the European legislative framework that established the legal basis for accreditation, as well as the regulations and accreditation policies that were formulated to facilitate market access in Europe.

T

Speaker: Mr Graham Talbot, Former Chairman of European Cooperation for Accreditation

Speaker: Mr W.W. Wong, Executive Administrator of HKAS

Speaker: Mr Alfred Sit, Deputy Director, Electrical and Mechanical Service Department

04 - HKAS NEWS ISSUE NO.53

On the other hand, four local speakers sparkled the seminar with presentations on specific sectors. Mr Alfred Sit, Deputy Director of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSAR Government, Mr Tao Sun, Director of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel, Mr Warren Kwok, Senior Engineer of the Office of the Communications Authority, HKSAR Government, and Mr Emi Yu, CEO of Keystone Electric Wire and Cable Co., Ltd. gave interesting presentations on how accreditation supports individual sectors including electrical appliance safety and energy efficiency, textile testing, telecommunication equipment market, and electrical cable procurement.

The discussion in the Q&A session was highly interactive. The audience was very enthusiastic and raised different questions regarding the topics presented, which were answered accordingly by the speakers. The seminar was well-received and positive feedback was collected from the participants. In the future, HKAS will organise similar events in order to continue it’s support of World Accreditation Day.

Speakers on the stage during the Q&A Session

Speaker: Mr Tao Sun, Director, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel

Speaker: Mr Warren Kwok, Senior Engineer, Office of the Communications Authority

Speaker: Mr Emil Yu, CEO, Keystone Electric Wire and Cable Co. Ltd.


he Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS) holds an Assessor cum Lead Assessor Seminar annually with an aim to keep assessors updated

with HKAS development and to promote exchange of ideas and experiences. This year, the seminar was held on 1 March with an attendance of 198 participants.

In view of the emerging trend of worldwide interest in software testing, HKAS invited Dr Hareton Leung, Associate Professor of the Department of Computing in Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to give a talk on “Challenges of Software Testing”. Dr Leung shared his experience in this area, which was quite different from traditional testing activities. The topic raised much interest among participants.

Besides, HKAS has always been conscious of upholding the integrity and impartiality of assessors during the assessments of conformity assessment bodies. In this respect, the seminar invited Mr Davy Nip, Chief Corruption Prevention Officer of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, to give a talk on “Corruption Prevention in Testing and Certification Industry”.


T

Dr Hareton Leung of Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Mr Davy Nip of the ICAC

HKAS representatives answering audiences’ questions

Mr W.W. Wong, Executive Administrator of HKAS

HKAS assessors at the seminar

Certificates of Appreciation Technical Assessors

Mr TSUN Shu Chiu Dr LEUNG Ka Sing

Mr LAU Kam Wing Mr LAU Man Po Mr CHU Wai Chiu Mr FUNG Wan Chung Dr LAU Chi Keung Mr CHAN Ming Hang Mr LAM Shi Kai


Professor Vivian Yam, Chair of the AAB, presenting certificates of accreditation to accredited organisations

Mr W.W. Wong, Executive Administrator of HKAS, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Mr Tsun Shu Chiu

Mr W.W. Wong, Executive Administrator of HKAS, presenting a certificate of appreciation to Dr Leung Ka Sing

Lead Assessor Seminar was held in the afternoon

The seminar also invited Professor Vivian Yam, the Chair of the Accreditation Advisory Board (AAB), to present certificates to 19 organisations that were accredited by HKAS over the last 12 months.

In recognition of assessors’ contributions to HKAS, certificates of appreciation were presented to 9 technical assessors who had conducted over 100 or 50 assessments days.

Participants were then divided into different discussion groups according to their specialised fields for more in-depth discussions on technical issues of their fields.

In the afternoon, a Lead Assessor Seminar was held. There were 40 participants including HKAS officers and external lead assessors, who actively exchanged knowledge and shared experience in leading assessments.

Over 100 HKAS assessment days conducted

Over 50 HKAS assessments days conducted


his meeting was hosted by American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Over 150

delegates from standardization bodies, accreditation bodies, certification bodies and industries attended this meeting. Matters relating to standardization and accreditation of certification bodies were discussed.

The Opening Ceremony was officiated by Mr Neil Abercrombie, Governor of the State of Hawaii, USA. Mr Colin Blair, Chairman of PASC Executive Committee, and Mr Shinichi Iguchi, Chair of PAC, made a presentation on PASC and PAC respectively. A presentation on the Specialist Regional Bodies and their relationship with the APEC Subcommittee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) was given by the PAC Secretary and the APLAC Secretary. Then, a panel discussion on what more could be accomplished with closer interaction between PASC and PAC, and between them and the APEC SCSC was held. It was noted that there were some overlap and duplication

The PAC Plenary meeting (left to right: Ms Belinda Mort, Mr Shinichi Iguchi, Mr B Venkataraman, Mr Brett Abraham)

Mr Neil Abercrombie, Governor of the State of Hawaii, USA

Mr W. W. Wong, Executive Administrator, and Mr K.W. Chen, Senior Accreditation Officer, attended the first joint plenary meeting of PASC and PAC on 20 to 24 May 2013 at Honolulu, USA.

T

of work amongst regional bodies like PAC and InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC), PASC and Pan American Standards Commission (COPANT). The Chair of PAC responded that every effort had been made to reduce duplication of work, it was nonetheless unavoidable due to geographic reason.

Mr Ake Danemar, Treasurer of International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) informed the meeting of the importance of standards and conformity assessments as strategic instruments to gain market

access. Mr Molcolm Johnson, Director of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau provided an update of the conclusion of a MoU between ITU, ILAC and IAF. New work areas of standards in ITU include e-health, e-waste and software defined networking.

Joint Plenary Meeting of Pacific Area Standards Congress (PASC) and Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) 2013


The four working groups of the PAC Technical Committee had discussed the following issues:

a. Energy and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) – proposed MLA framework for GHG;

b. Product – issues related to the implementation of ISO/IEC17065:2012 for accreditation of product certification; transition plans for implementation of ISO/IEC17065:2012 by CNAS, EMA, HKAS, IAJapan, JAB and NABCB;

c. Organic and Halal Certification – draft PAC-TC Guidance on Application of ISO/IEC Guide 65 to organic certification under the EU Legislation on Organic Farming; cooperation with International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) on accreditation of organic food certification;

d. Persons – issues related to the implementation of ISO/IEC17024:2012 for accreditation of certification of persons; transition for implementation of ISO/IEC17024:2012.

An Information Exchange Group Meeting was organised for PAC Members to give feedback on matters related to accreditation of certification bodies as well as the operation of PAC. Topics for discussion included training of new accreditation body participants, mechanism for technical queries processing, improvement of the PAC website for communication among PAC members, possibility of remote meeting, contribution of PAC to worldwide trade, recognition of PAC MLA signatory accreditation results by regulators, new MLAs, sharing of good practice among PAC members and PAC election process.

Mr Wong, Executive Administrator, HKAS, gave a presentation in the first session of the PASC plenary meeting on training of the next generation. He pointed out that it is the policy of Hong Kong to use international standards as far as possible when there are suitable ones available. Seminars were organised regularly to foster the understanding and awareness of international standards. Tertiary education institutions also have courses that include ISO and other international / regional / national standards as part of their curricula. During discussion, Mr Wong further pointed out that metrology, accreditation and standards are three pillars for conformity assessments and joint workshops / training courses, instead of individual and separate ones, for all five Specialist Regional Bodies were needed for effective technical infrastructure integration. This proposal was supported by Singapore and accepted by the PASC meeting.

During the PAC plenary meeting, the following persons were elected to the Executive Committee:

Chair Mr Brett Abraham, JAS-ANZ, Australia and New Zealand

Vice Chair Mr B Venkataraman, NABCB, India

Members Mr Ekanit Romyanon, NSC, Thailand Ms Chang Kwei-Fern, SAC, Singapore

PNAC, Pakistan was accepted to the multi-lateral recognition arrangement (MLA) of QMS and EMS. SLAB of Sri Lanka was accepted to the MLA of QMS, EMS and Product. The MLA scopes of NABCB, India and IAJapan, Japan were extended to cover Product.

The technical issues covered by the PAC Technical Committee meeting included sampling of certification audits for witnessing, determination of the number of witnessing audits, listing of standards in accreditation certificate for management system certification, matters arising from PAC training courses, matters arising from experienced peer evaluator’s workshop, matters arising from IAF standing working groups and matters arising from IAF task forces/projects.

International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mid-Term Meetings 2013, Frankfurt, Germany

ILACArrangement Committee (ARC)

ILAC P8 – ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement: Supplementary Requirements and Guidelines for the Use of Accreditation Symbols and for Claims of Accreditation Status by Accredited Laboratories and Inspection Bodies was revised and issued in December 2012.

ILAC P10 – ILAC Policy on Traceability of Measurement Results was published in January 2013.

ILAC P4 – ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (Arrangement): Policy Statement and ILAC P5 – ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (Arrangement) are being revised to address matters on versions updates of ISO 15189 and ISO/IEC 17020 and the new ILAC MRA on inspection. After a lengthy discussion, the documents are ready for voting.

he IAF-ILAC Mid-Term Meetings is an annual event jointly organised by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation

(ILAC) between the IAF/ILAC Annual General Assembly Meetings. This year’s mid-term meetings were held in Frankfurt, Germany from 27 April to 2 May 2013. The event consisted of a series of meetings, including task forces, working groups and committees meetings. Matters relating to the accreditation of laboratories, certification bodies and inspection bodies were discussed. HKAS Senior Accreditation Officers, Dr John Ho and Mr Wilson Shum, attended various meetings.

T

Inspection Committee

Members generally agreed that a guidance document on the formulation of accreditation scope for inspection bodies, like ILAC G18 for laboratories, should be prepared. The meeting agreed to set up a Working Group (WG) under an Inspection Committee to undertake the work. The issue will be further discussed in the ILAC Executive Committee.

Members supported issuing a Communiqué on ISO9001 for inspection, like the one for testing, indicating that inspection bodies fulfilling the requirements of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 can be considered as meeting the principles of ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management Systems – Requirements.

The following are issues covered in the meetings that may be of interest to readers:


IAFThe IAF Mandatory Document (MD) on the Application of ISO/IEC 17021 for Audits of Integrated Management Systems (MD11) was published on 25 March 2013. The IAF Technical Committee (TC) agreed to disband the Task Force (TF) on Audits of Integrated Management Systems.

The TF on Indicators of Certification Body Performance reported that the draft MD on indicators of CB performance was initially prepared in March 2010. All comments had been addressed by the TF and the revised document would soon be circulated for ballot.

The TF on Environmental Management Systems (EMS) reported that the second draft of the Informative Document (ID) for EMS scoping had been sent to TF members for comment. Comments received were discussed in the meeting held in Frankfurt. The TF agreed that the risk levels should be removed from the ID as it was too difficult to be defined by sector because of the difference in local/regional legislation and other local/regional factors.

The WG on Management System Certification was planning to conduct a survey to IAF accreditation bodies members on their use of the ID4 (market surveillance visits to certified organisations). A new TF on the Control of Franchisees and Subcontractors of Accredited Certification Activities (TF on CFS) was formed under the WG for analysing the current issues, risks and malpractices in franchised/subcontracted operations and developing controls and guidance for proactively mitigating the risks associated with those operations.

The WG on Product Certification Accreditation (ISO/IEC 17065) reported that ISO/IEC 17067 would soon be circulated for ballot and ISO/IEC Guides 28 and 53 were being revised into Technical Reports. The WG was also drafting an “Informative Document for the Transition of Accreditation of Product Certification Bodies to ISO 17065:2012 from ISO Guide 65: 1996”.

The WG on Food reported that ISO/TS 22003:2007 was under review. The main areas of the review included: auditor competencies, multisite certification, audit duration and industry categories and sectors; a new normative annex on certification body personnel competence; new informative annex to give guidance on the use of ISO/TS 22003 by schemes. Target publication of the new document would be in mid-2013. The WG on Food was also preparing a document for Scoping of FSMS Certification Bodies intended to be published as an ID, and an expected outcome document.

The WG on GHG management (ISO 14065) was reviewing the comments received on the revised MD6. The WG was also preparing a document on Application of ISO/IEC 17011 in GHG Validation/Verification (ISO 14065), intended to be published as an MD.

The WG on Information Security Management System ISMS (ISO 27001) MLA Scope was preparing an MD on “Knowledge Requirements for Personnel involved in the Accreditation of Bodies Auditing and Certifying Information Security Management Systems (ISO/IEC 27001)”. The WG reported that revision of ISO/IEC 27001 was in progress and was expected to be published in late 2013 or early 2014.


New Accreditation Service under Hong Kong Certification Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS)- Accreditation of certification bodies for certification of management system of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers

In June 2012, HKAS launched a new accreditation service under HKCAS for certification bodies providing management system certification to Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers.

Background

According to the Hong Kong Population Projection 2012-2041 published by the Census and Statistics Department (CSD) in July 2012, it is projected that the population aged 65 or above will rise from 13 % of the total population in 2011 to 30 % in 2041. In this respect, the demand for residential care service in Hong Kong will increase significantly in the coming years. Over the years, public awareness and concern on service quality of Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) [RCHE] has increased. In view of the increasing number of RCHE service providers wanting to obtain certifications from third party certification bodies for demonstrating their commitment in providing a quality service, the accreditation of certification bodies for certification of management system of RCHE service providers would provide formal recognition and enhance the service quality of the certification bodies.

Development of Accreditation Service

To ensure that the accreditation service is acceptable and useful to all stakeholders, a task force was established under the Accreditation Advisory Board Working Party on Accreditation of Certification Bodies to provide advice on its development. The Task Force consists of representatives from government departments, academic institutions, practitioners and other stakeholder groups working together to formulate the accreditation criteria and to advise HKAS on administration matters.

To train potential assessors and technical experts in this area, a 2-day assessors training course was organised on 15 – 16 April 2013. A 1-day seminar was also held on 17 April 2013 to brief the stakeholders, accredited certification bodies and potential certification bodies on the relevant ISO standards.

Application for Accreditation

To apply for accreditation, applicants shall demonstrate their compliance with the following accreditation criteria:

• RegulationsforHKASAccreditation(HKAS002);

• ISO/IEC17021:2011;

• HKCASSupplementaryCriteriaNo.12AccreditationProgramme for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers’ Management System Certification (HKCAS SC-12); and

• AllotherrelevantHKASandHKCASsupplementarycriteria.

Applicants shall submit a completed application form (HKCAS 005), application questionnaire (HKCAS 024), required supporting documents, and appropriate application fee as listed in the Schedule of Accreditation Fees for Certification Bodies in Hong Kong (HKCAS 006) to the HKAS Executive. The application form, questionnaire and other HKAS/HKCAS documents can be downloaded at HKAS website.

For more information, please contact our Senior Accreditation Officer Mr Wilson Shum (tel.: 2829 4806 / email: [email protected]).



APLAC Training Course on ISO 15189:2012

he training course was presented by three experienced experts, Mr John James (Convenor of ISO TC 212 Working Group 1

and co-writer of ISO 15189:2012), Ms Linda Crawford (Director of Quality Management Program – Laboratory Service, Canada and Chair of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Proficiency Testing Working Group), and Mr Katsuo Kubono (Deputy Director General, Japan Accreditation Board, and Convenor of APLAC Sub-committee on Medical Laboratory Accreditation). Mr John James first gave an overview of the history and development of the standard, and shared with the participants the hiccups encountered because of the language difference and problems with translation. Mr James and Ms Crawford then gave a detailed presentation on the difference between the old and new editions. Mr Kubono gave a presentation on the basic concepts of measurement uncertainty and their application in the medical field. Group exercises were designed to facilitate participants to obtain more in-depth understanding of the requirements. Assessment skills were also shared.

T Participants from accreditation bodies of the APLAC family

An APLAC training course on ISO 15189:2012 open to all

accreditation bodies who are APLAC members was held in

Bangkok, Thailand from 9 to 11 July 2013. The training course

was hosted by the Bureau of Laboratory Quality Standards,

Department of Medical Science (BLQS-DMSc). It was attended

by around 30 representatives from accreditation bodies of 17

economies. Ms Bella Ho, Senior Accreditation Officer, attended

the training course.

Mr John James, Convenor of ISO TC212 Working Group 1, gave a brief history on the development of the ISO 15189:2012


Participants’ concerns on some of the new requirements were discussed. In particular, there were active discussions on issues relating to communication with all stakeholders, competency assessment and continued education of the laboratory director, the linking of continual improvement to risk management, and the need to include IT experts to assess the laboratory’s information management system. Readers wishing to learn more about risk assessment could refer to two international standards, viz. ISO 31000 on “Risk management - principles and guidelines”; and ISO TS 22367 on “Medical Laboratories – Reduction of error through risk management and continual improvement”. The latter is currently under revision. It was noted that issues and concerns encountered were common to many accreditation bodies. HKAS has actively shared our experience with the participants and there was fruitful discussion on how to tackle

Accreditation body staff from 17 economies participated in the ISO 15189 training course

Mr Katsuo Kubono, Convener, APLAC Sub-Committee on Medical Laboratory Accreditation, gave a presentation on the concepts of measurement uncertainty and its application.

these common concerns. The issues discussed include requirements on verification and validation of methods used, verification of biological reference ranges, use of appropriate acceptance criteria for method validation, measurement uncertainty, scope presentation, assessment of collection sites, provision of clinical advice, use of expired reagents with validation, etc. All participants felt that they went home with their hands full.


New edition of ISO/IEC 15189:2012

new edition of ISO 15189 was published on 1 November 2012. The noticeable changes of this edition are clearer layout and providing

sub-clause numbers for their easy identification. This edition also adds some new requirements, particularly in risk management and laboratory information management. According to the resolution from International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), the transition from the 2007 edition to 2012 edition is required to be completed by 1 March 2016. All accreditations to ISO 15189:2007 will become invalid after that date.

The fifth edition of HOKLAS 015, which includes the verbatim reproduction of the requirements of ISO 15189:2012 and relevant HOKLAS policies, was published on 16 April 2013. All accredited medical testing laboratories are required to transfer to ISO 15189:2012 before 29 February 2016. Applicant laboratories are also advised to study the implementation schedule for preparation of accreditation. For details, please refer to the implementation schedule at HKAS website (http://www.hkas.gov.hk).

Mr John L. James, Convenor of the ISO Technical Committee 212 Working Group 1 (ISO TC 212 WG1), the drafting committee of the new standard, was invited to give a highlight of the new edition in the training seminars held on 18 to 22 March 2013. The series of seminars attracted about 370 participants which included technical assessors and technical personnel from both accredited and interested laboratories. In addition, a half-day seminar was held on 27 March 2013 for medical laboratories to provide them with a better understanding of the transition plan from the fourth edition to the fifth edition of HOKLAS 015, as well as the revised HOKLAS policies with respect to ISO 15189:2012.

Mr John L. James, Convenor of the ISO Technical Committee 212 Working Group 1 (ISO TC 212 WG1)

Seminar on the new edition of ISO 15189:2012 held on 18 to 22 March 2013

A

For enquiries about our accreditation programme in medical testing and the transition plan to

ISO 15189:2012, you are most welcome to contact our Senior Accreditation Officer, Ms Bella Ho (tel.: 2829 4818 / email:

[email protected]).

Experience sharing on accreditation of inspection bodies


Meeting of Accreditation Bodies from Mainland China, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong exchanged ideas and experience in accreditation of medical testing laboratories and related fields

epresentatives from accreditation bodies of mainland China (CNAS), Hong Kong (HKAS) and Chinese Taipei (TAF) met in Xi’an on 4-7

July 2013 to discuss the accreditation requirements for medical laboratories and related fields. Ms Bella Ho, Senior Accreditation Officer of HKAS, was invited to introduce HKAS accreditation services to medical laboratories, the current status of proficiency testing programme participation and accreditation of proficiency testing providers for medical testing in Hong Kong, while Dr Alex Chan, Accreditation Officer of HKAS, elaborated on the accreditation of Anatomical Pathology laboratories. CNAS also made use of this opportunity to provide training on the new edition of ISO 15189 to laboratory practitioners. In addition, a meeting was held to discuss and draw consensus on the terminologies used in translating the new edition into Chinese. The following are the highlights of the meeting.

R

Ms Bella Ho, Senior Accreditation Officer of HKAS, introduced the accreditation service provided to medical laboratories by HKAS.

Accreditation of Transfusion Laboratories and Medical Laboratories in Mainland China

Twenty one transfusion laboratories in mainland China, accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by CNAS, are now undergoing transition to ISO 15189. A training workshop for assessors on the transition was conducted in April 2013 in Fuzhou.

To date, there are 125 medical laboratories accredited to ISO 15189:2007 in mainland China. To allow smooth transition to ISO 15189:2012, CNAS announced a transition plan accepting applications for accreditation to ISO 15189:2012 until the end of year 2014.

Development of Medical Imaging Accreditation Programme

Both CNAS and TAF are now planning for accreditation of medical imaging laboratories. In the meeting, delegates from TAF shared their experience in establishing a new accreditation programme for nuclear medicine imaging laboratories with ISO 15189 as the accreditation criteria.

In the past three years, TAF has been cooperating closely with the Society of Nuclear Medicine to prepare for the Technical Notes and User Guides to supplement the accreditation requirements. There were also support

and cooperation from physicians and radiologists, which helped to facilitate the development of the programme.

CNAS has accredited one medical imaging laboratory to ISO/IEC 17020, the accreditation standard for inspection bodies. However the use of ISO 15189 for accrediting medical imaging laboratories is a global trend and CNAS is considering switching to this standard.


Guest speaker Mr John L James (Front, Middle) and delegates from Xijing Hospital, CNAS, TAF and HKAS met in Xi’an for idea and experience exchange of accreditation of medical testing laboratories.


3-day workshop jointly organised by the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the

National Accreditation Body of Indonesia (KAN) for accreditation body assessors on the accreditation of product certification bodies to the new standard, ISO/IEC 17065:2012, was held on 23-25 April 2013 in Bogor, Indonesia. Speakers of this workshop included Mr Geoff Brundle of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia & New Zealand (JAS-ANZ) and Mr Ronald Coiner of The International Accreditation Service (IAS). There were 25 participants from accreditation bodies of Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam. HKAS Senior Accreditation Officers Mr K W Chen and Mr K M Heung attended this workshop.

The two speakers gave detailed explanation on the following aspects through a series of presentations, quiz, group exercises and discussion:

(a) all requirements of ISO/IEC 17065 and related publications including ISO/IEC 17007, ISO/IEC Guide 23, ISO/IEC Guide 27 and ISO/IEC 17030,

(b) a comparison between ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC Guide 65, and

(c) the development of product certification scheme to ISO/IEC 17067.

Throughout the workshop, participants had interactive discussions and exchange of views on the major differences between the old and new standards, including the options for management system requirements, increased emphasis on the management of impartiality and the mechanism for safeguarding impartiality, certification body’s agreement with clients, and identifying competence for personnel involved in the certification process. The workshop was a fruitful event.

Workshop - Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) Enhancement Project on Product Certification (ISO/IEC 17065:2012) in Indonesia

A

n 2 May 2013, HKAS announced the transition arrangement. HKAS started to accept applications for accreditation to ISO/

IEC 17065:2012 from 28 June 2013. All accredited certification bodies currently using ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 for accreditation are required to transfer to ISO/IEC 17065: 2012 before 14 September 2015. The full transition plan is available from HKAS website (http://www.hkas.gov.hk).

The ISO/IEC 17065:2012 has been published to replace ISO/IEC Guide

65:1996 as the accreditation standard for product certification

bodies. According to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF)

Resolution, the transition period for product certification bodies to

migrate to the new ISO/IEC 17065:2012 will end on 14 September

2015. All accreditations to ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 will become

invalid after that date.

O


For further enquiry, you may contact our senior accreditation officers Mr K. W. Chen (tel.: 2829 4826 / email: [email protected]) or Mr Denis K. M. Heung (tel.: 2829 4870 / email: [email protected]).

Transition for Accreditation of Product Certification Bodies to ISO/IEC 17065:2012


he new edition of ISO/IEC 17020 was published on 1 March 2012. According to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)

resolution, the transition period for the implementation of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 will end on 1 March 2015. Current accreditations to ISO/IEC 17020:1998 will no longer be valid after 28 February 2015.

In view of the above change, HKAS announced the transition arrangement to the new ISO/IEC 17020 for our accredited inspection bodies in December 2012. A new edition of HKIAS 003 (4th Edition), which contains the requirements and notes of ISO/IEC 17020:2012 as main text with relevant HKIAS policies, was published. The implementation schedule of this new standard was also announced on HKAS website.

To facilitate the transition, HKAS arranged a briefing session on the implementation of HKIAS 003 (4th Edition) on 18 January 2013. The briefing session aimed

Mr Julian Wilson (NATA) Mr Geoff Hallam (IANZ)

T

Workshop on ISO/IEC 17020:2012

to inform all HKIAS accredited inspection bodies of the transition arrangement and implementation schedule. Representatives from 12 accredited inspection bodies as well as assessors attended the briefing session.

In addition, HKAS organised a 2-day workshop on “ISO 17020 and Inspection Accreditation” on 24-25 June 2013. Mr Julian Wilson, the Section Manager for the Inspection of National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia, and Mr Geoff Hallam, Corporate Services Technical Development and Regulatory Affairs Manager of International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ), were invited as the facilitators of the workshop. Both Mr Wilson and Mr Hallam are members of the ISO CASCO Working Group 31, which was responsible for the revision of ISO/IEC 17020. The two experts shared with us the requirements and implementation of ISO/IEC 17020:2012; the transition from the 1998 to the 2012 version; the changes it would bring to inspection bodies, and the accreditation and assessment practices in conjunction with the requirements of the new edition. About 60 participants, including practitioners from accredited inspection bodies and assessors, attended this workshop. Most of them found the event to be very practical and informative.

To obtain more information about the ISO/IEC 17020:2012 transition arrangement, please visit our website at www.hkas.gov.hk, or contact our Senior Accreditation Officers Mr K. W. Chen (tel.: 2829 4826 / email: [email protected]) or Mr Denis K. M. Heung (tel.: 2829 4870 / email: [email protected]).

ISO/IEC 17021:2011 Seminar for Certification Bodies

M

ISO

/IEC


ISO/IEC 17021:2011 Assessor Training and Seminar for Certification Bodies

s Susan Williams, the Manager of Learning and Development of Joint Accreditation System of Australia & New Zealand (JAS-

ANZ), who has over 15 years of experience in risk analysis, development and implementation of business management system and accreditation, was invited to deliver the training course and the seminar.

The 2-day training course, with over 20 attendees, was organised with an aim to provide in-depth knowledge on ISO/IEC 17021:2011. Ms Williams commenced with a background to accredited certification bodies, accreditation bodies and international infrastructure, followed by presentations on the requirements, assessment principles, practices and techniques in the application of ISO/IEC 17021:2011. Workshops related to the organisation structure and management of impartiality, competence of management system, personnel, sampling, audit durations and classification of findings were held throughout the training course.

The seminar on ISO/IEC 17021:2011 was held at the Hong Kong Museum of History on 17 April 2013.

Over 40 participants from accredited certification bodies attended the seminar. At the seminar, Ms Williams gave participants an introduction to the ISO/IEC 17021, followed by presentations on the ISO and IAF supplementary documents related to the standard and the common difficulties faced when implementing those requirements. The seminar concluded with a question & answer session, which allowed exchange of views and ideas among participants.

HKAS organised a training course and a seminar on ISO/IEC 17021:2011 “Conformity assessment – Requirements for certification bodies providing audit and certification of management systems” on 15-16 and 17 April 2013 respectively.

ISO/IEC 17021:2011 Assessor Training for Certification Bodies

Active participation of attendees in the discussion


HKAS First Assessment Feedback Seminar for accredited medical testing laboratories

eedback ignites continual improvement. The HKAS Assessment Feedback Seminar aimed at providing an opportunity for the exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as harmonising accreditation requirements. The first of such seminar was

held on 11 June 2013, where findings from assessments conducted by HKAS at medical testing laboratories in the first half of 2013 were analysed and discussed. Emphasis was placed on different findings as well as controversial issues and observations which were considered beneficial for open discussion. Prior to the seminar, feedback was collected from assessors and medical testing laboratories for inclusion in the discussion.

Dr Alex Chan, Accreditation Officer of HKAS, presented the feedback and observations recorded in previous assessments.

The seminar was divided into two sessions. The first session included discussions on feedback from laboratories and assessors, while the second session involved presentations highlighting selected observations, including both recommendations and non-conformities, recorded in previous assessments. The seminar attracted over 100 participants including assessors and personnel from medical testing laboratories. Attendees were keen to respond and express their views. The discussion had helped to further clarify and improve laboratories’ understanding of HKAS accreditation requirements and policies.

This seminar served as an excellent platform for the exchange of knowledge and experience between HKAS, technical assessors and medical testing laboratories. Encouraged by the overwhelming responses and positive feedback received in the seminar, HKAS would like to make this seminar a regular event. The second feedback seminar will be held in December 2013, which will focus on the findings of assessments conducted in the second half of the year. We welcome your feedback for inclusion in the next seminar.

F


o facilitate the implementation of the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS) of the Buildings Department (BD), new accreditation

services for diagnostic tests on concrete, including, infrared thermography and surface penetration radar survey, were launched in the mid-2012. A new Supplementary Criteria document for diagnostic tests on concrete, HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 19, was issued on 2 May 2012 to lay down specific accreditation requirements for these tests.

An overseas technical expert from Germany, Professor Herbert Wiggenhauser, was invited to conduct assessments for infrared thermography and surface penetration radar survey in late July 2012. Currently, a total of five laboratories have been accredited for such test(s).

In addition, Professor Herbert Wiggenhauser and Ir Dr Wallace W. L. Lai were invited to give a seminar on 3 August 2012 on the latest development of non-destructive testing on concrete in Germany. In order to upgrade the standard of construction materials testing laboratories in performing non-destructive testing on concrete, some assessment feedback, particularly on

infrared thermography and surface penetration radar survey, was also provided in the seminar. Around 110 participants attended the seminar, mostly from the construction materials testing industry, government departments, tertiary education institutions and users of the accredited services.

HKAS welcomes testing laboratories to seek accreditation on diagnostic tests of concrete. Interested laboratories may contact Ir Samson K. Y. Wong (tel.: 2829 4812 / email: [email protected]) or Dr Fiona W. Y. CHAN (tel.: 2829 4861 / email: [email protected]) for further details.

T

New Accreditation Services on Diagnostic Tests on Concrete – Infrared Thermography and Surface Penetration Radar Survey

Ir Dr Wallace W.L. Lai, a visiting scientist of the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany, and also a Research Fellow of the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Professor Herbert Wiggenhauser, the Head of Division of the Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Berlin, Germany.

Around 110 participants joined the seminar on Non-Destructive Testing on Concrete

Infrared thermography

Surface penetration radar survey


emperature controlled enclosures, thermometers, balances and piston-operated pipettes are commonly used in medical testing laboratories.

The performance of these instruments plays an important role in ensuring the quality of examination results. In routine practice, working and reference equipment is calibrated either in-house or by an external calibration laboratory. Nevertheless, it can be challenging for technical assessors and medical laboratory personnel to adopt a systematic approach to perform routine in-house calibration of equipment and to interpret the information on a calibration certificate. To enhance the knowledge of technical assessors and medical laboratory personnel in these aspects, three experts from the Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL), Mr W. K. Lee, Mr T. K. Chan and Mr Julian Cheung, were invited to provide a one-day training workshop on the calibration of general equipment used in medical testing laboratories. The workshop consisted of two sessions. The morning session focused on the calibration of thermometers and temperature controlled enclosures, while the afternoon session was on the calibration of balances and piston-operated pipettes.

T

Training workshop on calibration of general equipment used in medical testing laboratories

Mr W. K. Lee, Acting Head of Laboratory of the Standards and Calibration Laboratory (SCL) gave an introduction on the role of SCL.

Mr Julian Cheung, Electronic Engineer of the Standards and Calibration Laboratory explained to the workshop participants the calibration of thermometers.


Two one-day workshops on the same topics were conducted for assessors and laboratory personnel on 11 and 12 July 2013, respectively and attended by a total of 120 participants. The participants were actively engaged in discussion during the workshops, especially on the calibration of temperature controlled enclosures and balances. The feedback received was highly encouraging. In particular, participants greatly appreciated the explanation from the speakers on the information that could be gathered from a calibration certificate and found this to be very practical.

There was an interactive experience exchange between the participants and the speakers

Mr T. K. Chan, Acting Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineer of the Standards and Calibration Laboratory and his colleague demonstrated to the workshop participants the calibration of piston-operated pipettes.


KAS has cooperated with the Public Works Laboratories of the Civil Engineering and Development

Department (CEDD) to organise a proficiency testing (PT) programme on tensile proof load test of anchor bolt. A 20mm diameter anchor bolt specimen with strength grade designation of 8.8 was fixed on the inclined surface of a test block (470 mm (L) x 450 mm (W)) that was attached to a vertical wall. The participating laboratories were required to perform a tensile proof load test on an anchor bolt specimen. This PT programme was successfully completed in the period of 21 – 25 January 2013. A total of twenty-five laboratories participated in this PT programme. The interim report was issued in May 2013, and the final report is scheduled to be issued in August 2013.

HKAS would like to thank CEDD for their assistance in organising the PT programme, and the participating laboratories for their support.

H

Proficiency Testing Programme under the Test Category of Construction Materials

Front view of the proficiency test item

Side view of the proficiency test item


HKAS Policy on Application for Accreditation

or reassessments, the scope of accreditation to be reassessed will normally be provided to the laboratory for confirmation about 3 months prior

to the due date of the reassessment. If any additions to the scope of accreditation is requested, the laboratory should submit an application for extension of scope of accreditation at the same time when it returns the confirmed scope of accreditation.

Upon checking the adequacy of the briefing notes, HKAS Executive will forward the related assessment documents to assessors for their preparation of the on-site assessment visit. Changes requested by laboratories after this point of time, in particular during on-site assessment, will have significant impact on the assessment. HKAS Executive and its assessors will not have enough time to evaluate the request. These changes may include:

Laboratories seeking accreditation and extension of scope of accreditation, or those having scheduled reassessments, should have completed, among other documents, HOKLAS 016 for medical laboratory or HOKLAS 007 for non-medical laboratory. These forms should normally be provided to HKAS as part of the briefing notes to HKAS Executive and assessors.

• new nomination of approved signatory(s) and/orapproved operator(s)

• newextensionofscopeoftest(s)

• changefromstandardmethodtoin-housemethodor vice versa

• changeofversionsofthesamestandard

• changeoftherangeoftestorcalibration

• lowering the calibration and measurementcapabilities (CMCs)

Under normal circumstances, HKAS Executive will therefore not accept any of the above changes after the letter of “Confirmation of HOKLAS assessment” is sent to the laboratory. HKAS however may accept changes

that will not require HKAS Executive and its assessors to conduct prior evaluation of the proposed changes, such as the removal of test(s) from the existing accredited scope, or the removal of existing signatory(s) and/or operator(s) from the existing list of approved personnel.

F



ince the last issue of HKAS News, a number of HKAS, HOKLAS and HKCAS documents have been revised or newly published. These are shown in the following table with their respective dates of implementation. The supplementary criteria are mandatory documents and HKAS accredited organisations are advised to study

them carefully and adjust their management system and/or operation procedures accordingly on or before the implementation dates. These documents are available at our website at http://www.hkas.gov.hk.

S

HKAS published documents Version Publication Implementation Date Date

HKAS SC-01 HKAS Supplementary Criteria No. 1 Use of HKAS accreditation symbols and claims of accreditation status

HKCAS 005 Application for Certification Body Accreditation / Extension of Scope of Accreditation

HKCAS 011 Change of Authorised Representative

HKCAS 012 Application for an Additional Copy of a Certificate of Accreditation

HKCAS 013 Assessment / Reassessment Questionnaire for Product Certification (based on ISO/IEC 17065:2012)

HKCAS 013# Assessment / Reassessment Questionnaire for Product Certification (based on ISO/IEC Guide 65)

HKCAS 020-1:2013 Technical Criteria for Accreditation of Greenhouse Gas Validation and Verification Bodies - Part 1

HKCAS 020-2 Technical Criteria for Accreditation of Greenhouse Gas Validation and Verification Bodies - Part 2

HKCAS 020-3 Technical Criteria for Accreditation of Greenhouse Gas Validation and Verification Bodies - Part 3

HKCAS 021 Assessment / Reassessment Questionnaire for Greenhouse Gas Validation and Verification

HKCAS 023 Technical Criteria for Accreditation of Product Certification Bodies

HKCAS 024 Assessment / Reassessment Questionnaire (for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers’ Management System Certification only)

HKCAS SC-11 HKCAS Supplementary Criteria No. 11 HKAS Policy on Product and Management System Certification Schemes

Issue 9 2012/12/21 Feb 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

1st Ed 2013/8/14 Aug 2013

1st Ed 2012/12/13 Dec 2012

1st Ed 2012/12/13 Dec 2012

Jun 2013 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

1st Ed 2013/6/26 Jun 2013

Jun 2013 2013/6/11 Jun 2013

Issue 1 2013/7/4 Jul 2013

*

*

*

*

*

*


*New publication

HKAS published documents Version Publication Implementation Date Date

HKCAS SC-12 HKCAS Supplementary Criteria No. 12 Accreditation Programme for Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Service Providers’ Management System Certification

HOKLAS 016 Assessment / Reassessment Questionnaire (Medical Laboratories) (based on HOKLAS 015 5th edition)

HOKLAS 017 Technical Criteria for Accrediting Proficiency Testing Providers (Abridged Version)

HOKLAS SC-17 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 17 “Construction Materials” Test Category - Accreditation of Building Components and Related Tests

HOKLAS SC-18 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 18 “Construction Materials” Test Category - Accreditation of Soil and Rock Testing

HOKLAS SC-19 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 19 “Construction Materials” Test Category - Accreditation of Diagnostic Tests on Concrete

HOKLAS SC-31 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 31 “Physical and Mechanical Testing” Test Category - Gemstone Testing to the Standard Methods for Testing Fei Cui (Jadeite Jade) for Hong Kong and the Standard Methods for Testing Diamond for Hong Kong

HOKLAS SC-34 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 34 Accreditation Regulations Specific for HOKLAS – Proficiency Testing Provider

HOKLAS SC-49 HOKLAS Supplementary Criteria No. 49 Accreditation Requirements for Undertaking Testing Services for Specified Mainland Food Related Certification

HOKLAS SC-49C 實驗所認可計劃補充準則第49號 - 承擔中國內地特定食品認證檢測服務的認可要求

Issue 1 2013/6/11 Jun 2013

Apr 2013 2013/4/29 Apr 2013

2nd Ed 2013/6/19 Jun 2013

Issue 3 2013/6/19 Jun 2013

Issue 3 2013/6/19 Jun 2013

Issue 2 2013/6/19 Jun 2013

Issue 4 2013/2/20 Feb 2013

Issue 3 2013/6/18 Jun 2013

Issue 1 2013/2/21 Feb 2013

第一版 2013/2/21 Feb 2013

*

*

*



Proficiency Testing Updates

Test Category Programme and Organiser Status

Test Category Programme and Organiser Status

Progress in programmes organised by regional cooperations of accreditation bodies

An update on the proficiency testing programmes organsied by HKAS is given below:

APLAC T084 - Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Chicken Fat

Organised by BLQS-DMSc, Thailand

HCM/2012/01- Foundation Pile - Crosshole Sonic Logging Test

Co-organised with Housing Department

HCM/2012/02- Diagnostic tests on concrete - Covermeter Survey and Half-cell Potential Measurement

Co-organised with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University-Department of Civil and Structural Engineering

HCM/2012/03-Tensile Proof Load Test of Anchor Bolts

Co-organised with the Civil Engineering and Development Department

APLAC T081 - Pesticides in Green Tea

Co-organised with Government Laboratory

APLAC T082 - Essential and Toxic Elements in Seafood

Co-organised with Government Laboratory

Interim report was issued in Jun 2013. Four Hong Kong laboratories participated.

Final report was issued in June 2013. Eleven laboratories including one from Shenzhen participated. Results were satisfactory except for three outlying results from two laboratories accredited for the test.

Final report was issued in June 2013. Sixteen laboratories including one from GuangDong participated. Results were satisfactory except for three outlying results from three laboratories accredited for the test.

Interim report was issued in May 2013. Twenty-five laboratories participated. Two laboratories withdraw from the programme. There were eleven outlying results from 25 laboratories. Verification test was arranged for laboratories with outlying results.

Interim report was issued in Feb 2013. Sixty-two laboratories from thirty-three economies including five Hong Kong laboratories participated.

Interim report was issued in Feb 2013. Seventy-three laboratories from twenty-three economies including nine Hong Kong laboratories participated.

Construction Materials

Food

Food

Electrical and Electronic Product

HFD/2013/01 - Organochlorine Pesticides in Plant

Data analysis is in progress. Nine laboratories participated. Interim report was scheduled for release in Aug 2013.

APLAC T088 - Photometric Measurement on Solid State Lighting Products

Organised by CNAS, China

Testing in progress. One Hong Kong laboratory participated.


Accreditation Updates

New Accreditation GrantedFive laboratories, one proficiency testing provider and one certification body have been accredited since the last issue of HKAS news. Their names, registration numbers and accredited test categories are summarised below. HKAS wishes to congratulate them on their success in obtaining accreditation.

HKCAS

HOKLAS

HKIAS Name of Inspection Body Accredited Inspection Field ClienteleRegistration No.

20 Takwin (Hong Kong) Limited Product certification system Public

HOKLAS Name of Laboratory Accredited Test Categories ClienteleRegistration No.

Infrared Engineering & Consultants Limited

Astar NDT Consultants Limited

SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services Co., Limited. Guangzhou Branch

Pilot Testing Limited

DiagCor Bioscience Incorporation Limited

Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service

227

228

229

230

836S

PTP 004

Public

Public

Public

Public

Private physicians, medical centres, private and public hospitals and other medically related institutions

Local laboratories




Environmental Testing

Medical Testing

Proficiency Testing Provider


Accreditation Suspended

Voluntary Suspensions

HOKLASHOKLAS Name of Laboratory Test Categories and Effective DateRegistration No. Test Areas / Disciplines Suspended

Food

Chemical Composition Analysis, Preservatives, Organic Contaminants, Veterinary Drug Residues

Chinese Medicine

Microbiological Examination

Physical and Mechanical Testing

Metallic Coatings

Medical Testing

Chemical Pathology, Immunology

CMA Industrial Development Foundation Limited

Bureau Veritas Hong Kong Limited - Kowloon Bay Office

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation – Technology Support Centre – Material Analysis Laboratory

Diagnostix Medical Centre Limited.

004

058

206

806S

01.04.2013

18.02.2013

09.04.2013

24.06.2013

Reply Form

HKASNEWSLETTER* For comments and suggestions, please send them to [email protected]

I am a NEW subscriber, I WISH TO receive the version of HKAS Newsletter.

I am an EXISTING individual subscriber, I WISH TO receive the printed version of HKAS Newsletter.

I am an EXISTING non-individual subscriber, I DO NOT WISH TO receive the printed version of HKAS Newsletter.

I would like to unsubscribe the HKAS Newsletter.

*My subscriber details are provided below:

LET’S GO GREEN

In order to promote a green environment, HKAS will, starting from next issue:

1) Send the printed version (by post) of the HKAS Newsletter only to non-individual subscribers (including organisations, laboratories, government bodies, institutions, and libraries).

2) Send the electronic version (by email) of the HKAS Newsletter to all subscribers.

3) Upload the online electronic version to HKAS website for the public to download.

Individual subscribers who wish to receive the printed version and non-individual subscribers who do not wish to receive the printed version shall, by 31 January 2014, return this reply slip to :

Email: [email protected]: (852) 2824 1302

Name: Organisation:

Address:

Email address: Others (please specify):

Hong Kong Accreditation Service

36/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong

individualnon-individual

electronicprinted

Please tick the appropriate boxes

HKAS News Issue 53