BASEC’s cable testing lab awarded international quality standard by UKAS
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has accredited BASEC with ISO/IEC 17025, an international standard that specifies the competence and quality management system requirements for laboratories that provide testing and calibration services. By James Hunt:
The British Approvals Service for Cables (BASEC) has announced that it has extended its UKAS accreditations to include ISO/IEC 17025:2005. BASEC also holds UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17021 for both quality and environmental management systems, and to EN 45011 for product certification.
ISO/IEC 17025:2005 specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and/or calibrations, including sampling. It covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods, and laboratory-developed methods.
The accreditation, which is one of the highest levels of recognised quality any testing or calibration laboratory can attain, is applicable to all organisations performing tests and/or calibrations. These include, for example, first-, second- and third-party laboratories, and laboratories where testing and/or calibration forms part of inspection and product certification.
Laboratories that are accredited to this international standard must have demonstrated that they are staffed, equipped, technically competent and able to produce precise and repeatable test and/or calibration data. They will also have the correct quality systems in place to manage everything from administration through to technical operations. BASEC’s scope of accreditation to 17025 includes its electrical, mechanical, chemical and fire/smoke tests on cables.
The organisation, which claims that it is ‘the international leader in product certification services for electrical, data and signal cables and ancillary products’, and which is also a Voltimum UK Partner, says the further test categories will be added over time.
World class
It was in late 2012 that BASEC opened its then new 18,000ft2 world-class cable-testing laboratory in Milton Keynes. The facility now comprises three re-configurable fire test labs and a 3.5m tall ladder rack rig for vertical fire tests on cables (IEC 60332-3-22 to 24 and BS EN 50399).
These joined the organisation’s existing three metre cube chamber for smoke emission tests (EN 61034-2) and halogen testing facilities, with much brand new test equipment - all representing a considerable investment. The facility also doubles as BASEC’s HQ and is the largest dedicated testing laboratory for cables in the UK.
The organisation expects that there will be increased demand from its current clients for the fire testing of cables in accordance with the CPR and the test labs will also be open to other cable manufacturers and traders seeking to conform to the regulations as they become applicable to cables.
The highest quality
Commented BASEC CEO Dr Jeremy Hodge: “With this accreditation, BASEC has demonstrated its fulfillment to meet the criteria for the highest quality laboratory systems and procedures.
“Our laboratory”, he said, “conducts a wide range of cable testing on a daily basis to serve the demands of cable manufacturers, users and standards authorities across the world.
“Achieving 17025 accreditation ensures that cable manufacturers, trade industry partners and end users have the utmost confidence in the integrity of the laboratory’s processes and procedures and it supports the BASEC mark of approval,” concluded Hodge.
Into Europe
BASEC is also looking to expand the capability of this dedicated testing facility into Europe and beyond, and will be showcasing the lab’s latest advances at the Middle East Electricity Exhibition (MEEE) at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 2nd to 4th of March 2015.
For more information, email [email protected] , visit www.basec.org.uk , go to @BASECCables on twitter – or use the links below for other Voltimum UK articles on BASEC.
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