2008-08-11 13:51:14 - After a successfull audit which resulted in Zero non-compliance reports, the status of Authorized Qualifying Body (AQB) has been granted by BINDT to the SGS NDT Training Centre in Shanghai, China

According to the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT), this is the first time ever, in the past 20 years of conducting audits on potential AQB's that any establishment has successfully passed an initial audit with no (Zero) non-compliance reports.

Through the BINDT audit, SGS has been granted the approval to become an Authorised Qualifying Body (AQB) which allows SGS to

conduct PCN training and examinations for Non-Destructive Testing technicians according to the PCN Certification Scheme which meets, and exceeds the requirements of EN473/ISO 9712 standards in its NDT Training and Examination Centre in Shanghai, China.
AQBs are rigorously assessed by auditing teams under an appointed registered lead assessor to ensure that they provide the highest standard of professional service, and that the security, impartiality and confidentiality required of an examination system and an AQB is maintained.
The demand for good qualified NDT inspectors is growing rapidly all over the world. SGS reacts to this demand by establishing the new NDT Training and Examination Centre which has floor space area of around 700 m2 . The initial investment for this new project was over 5,000,000 CNY and is located in Shanghai.
SGS selected the EN473 standard as it is world wide recognized and represents a unified level of quality.

The obvious choice of certifying body was BINDT as it manages the PCN certification system which is the largest and most respected NDT certification scheme around the world in the field of EN473. Starting in China, SGS will support both local and international operating companies in manufacturing and trading of pressure vessles, heat exchangers, oil and gas, wind power and all other process equipment and steel products.
Western companies have already registered a high interest in this new SGS service as they can demand the required level of quality inspection by local inspectors whose certifiction meet their required standards.

Jason Scott, Director NDT Training and his team took the challenge of this new project and successfully passed the 'exam' with the best possible results.
The SGS NDT Training and examination Centre offers training and certification for Non-Destructive Testing and Inspection in accordance with EN 473 and ASNT standards with a particular focus on the extensive training syllabus for all conventional non-destructive testing methods. For more information please visit www.ndt-training.sgs.com
SGS is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With over 53'000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1'000 offices and laboratories around the world.