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In
principle,
ISO 9000
is
completely
comprehensive,
and does
lay down
requirements
for
Quality
Assurance
Systems
for any
organization.
However,
ISO 9000
does not
prescribe
specific
details
for
"special
processes"
which
are
processes
where
the
quality
of the
product
of the
process
cannot
be fully
guaranteed
by post
process
inspection,
e.g.
welding
where
even
non-destructive
testing
after
welds
have
been
completed
cannot
ensure
that the
correct
materials
were
used,
the
correct
edge
preparation
was
used,
the
correct
welding
procedure
was
followed,
etc, all
of which
could
have a
significant
effect
upon the
subsequent
performance
of the
weld
itself.
Therefore,
ISO 3834
was
developed
to
identify
all the
factors
that
could
affect
the
quality
of the
welded
product,
and
which
need to
be
properly
controlled
at all
stages
before
and
during
welding.
Whereas
ISO 9000
requires
that
process
control
procedures
must be
developed
and
applied,
ISO 3834
goes
further
by
requiring
that the
individuals
concerned
are
properly
qualified,
trained
and
experienced
and
supervised
by a
competent
welding
management
organization.
Many of
the
elements
of ISO
9000,
e.g.
contract
review,
planning,
equipment,
procedural
documentation,
inspection
records,
calibration
are
required
by ISO
3834 but
ISO 3834
requires
that
these
elements
are
specifically
considered
from the
aspect
of their
effects
upon the
organization's
ability
to
comply
with the
welding
requirements
of the
product.
ISO 9000
requires
a fully
documented
quality
manual
and
procedures,
whereas
ISO 3834
requires
documented
procedures
only
where
factors
that
could
affect
the
quality
of the
weld are
involved,
e.g.
welder
approval,
welding
consumable
and
material
records,
Weld
Procedure
approvals,
production
work
instructions,
Inspection
schedules
and
results.
Thus,
this
does
afford
some
flexibility
to
companies
who may
be able
to
demonstrate
they
have
adequately
controlled
systems
without
full
documentation.
This is
more
likely
to be
relevant
at the
elementary
or
standard
level
than at
the
comprehensive
level.
Companies
who
already
have ISO
9000
will
already
have
fully
documented
systems,
and
therefore
on the
face of
it will
be able
to
comply
With ISO
3834
comparatively
easily.
However,
even
they
must
review
their
systems
to
ensure
that the
welding
significance
aspects
of each
element
are
properly
considered
and
controlled
by a
welding
management
organization
that
complies
with ISO
3834.
Benefits
-
Production
control.
-
Quality
and
costs
control
of
your
welded
fabrication,
construction
or
maintenance.
-
To
ensure
the
health
and
safety
of
your
employees.
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