CRANE AND MACHINERY TESTING, INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION & TRAINING SERVICES

By PQS Company

Over the operational lifetime of cranes and machinery, reliability declines while operating and maintenance costs rise. The growing number of international regulations and multitude of machinery types pose challenges for manufacturers and operators.

Manufacturers rely on third-party advice for regulatory compliance. They also need support to ensure consistent delivery of products. Operators require third-party services for inspections, machinery and crane training as well as machinery and crane certification services. PQS can personalize a well-defined maintenance and inspection programme to help you control the entire process while protecting you from risks and liability.

HOW CAN OUR CRANE AND MACHINERY TESTING, INSPECTION, CERTIFICATION & TRAINING SERVICES BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS?

Manufacturers accelerate time to market with our testing and inspection solutions, while operators prevent accidents with our education and awareness programmes. Our services increase productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction by avoiding recalls, breakdowns and downtime.

Other benefits include:

Optimizing performance – with expert engineering and inspection services that extend your equipment’s lifetime.
Minimizing risk – with our broad knowledge of directives, regulations and standards, helping you avoid costly recalls and reduce liability.
Improving marketability – by certifying them as per European directives as well as EN, ANSI and ISO standards to develop a trusted and reliable brand.
Ensuring operator safety – through competent third-party inspections and awareness training.
Gaining peace of mind – with complete support throughout the entire process, from planning to testing and operation.

WHAT CRANE AND MACHINERY TESTING, INSPECTION, TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION SERVICES PQS OFFER?

PQS provides comprehensive and qualified advisory, inspection, testing, certification and training services for all types of cranes as well as related machinery. Examples of such machinery include:

Hoisting and towing equipment
Forklift trucks
Load holding mechanisms
Rack feeders
Earth-moving equipment
Scaffolding
Technical stage equipment
Car parking systems
Mobile elevating work platforms

Our services include:

Advisory services
PQS supports manufacturers with tenders and technical documentation as well as quality assurance throughout the product lifecycle. We assist in the preparation of risk analyses, risk assessments, operating instructions and declarations of conformity. Our experts also advise on machinery standards and regulations that affect your business.

Testing and product certification
We perform conformity assessments and certifications as per noise testing and certification according to Outdoor Directive 2000/42/EC, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, regulations and standards such as ISO, EN, ANSI, OSHA, etc.

We also offer evaluation of risk analyses and risk assessments, assessment of technical documentation and type examination of safety components.

Inspection
PQS carries out machinery and crane inspections in accordance with national and international standards. Our inspections cover technical safety evaluation, reports on state of repair and compliance against plans. We also review design drawings, circuit diagrams, strength calculations and structural analysis.

Training
We offer machine and crane training courses for operators as well as the application of European directives and harmonized standards for machinery.

WHY CHOOSE OUR CRANE AND MACHINERY SERVICES FOR YOUR COMPANY?

PQS is a trusted, independent third-party solutions provider of impartial inspection and assessment services. Our customers can leverage on our world-class expertise in the form of best practices and industry foresight, as well as our outstanding worldwide reputation.

As we are CB in various countries, we provide premium end-to-end solutions, from development to market placement and operator training. Qualified to serve the inspection and certification needs of all major global markets, we ensure the safety and productivity of cranes and construction machinery.

Our experts Already have Approved Certificates.

TESTING AND APPROVAL OF CRANES, HOISTS AND LOAD HANDLING DEVICES

GLOBAL EXPERTISE IN CERTIFICATION AND TESTING FOR HOISTS AND CRANES

Regardless of lifting equipment such as crane, load handling device, sling, elevating work platform and construction site hoist, or machines for transportation of goods and/or persons, the approval requirements and conformity assessment measures must always be complied. For example, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC in European countries such as Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, international directives/standards such as ASME, ASTM, as well as national regulations defines the minimum binding requirements for these machines and systems. Due to enforced regulation, Machinery Directive is also legally binding in the other countries outside Europe such as Cyprus and Turkey.

PQS provides legal security and practical support for Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and other international/national standards, as well as necessary approvals and certification. We can also help you with worldwide approvals and certifications acceptance for your machinery.

PQS HOISTS AND CRANES CERTIFICATION SERVICES

PQS offers a wide range of testing, inspection and review services for conformity, EC-type examination and other certifications according to both international and national standards. Our highly experienced team provides:

Certification and approval of the machinery such as crane, hoist, load handling device or sling, elevating work platform, construction site hoist and/or other machinery types
Conformity assessment, EC-type examination and CE marking according to Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and assessment conforming to other international standards (ASME, ASTM, AS etc.) and national regulations
Support from product design to global market access
Support with regards to standards applicability and interpretation
Evaluation of safety-related controls (e.g. EN ISO 13849-1) and electrical equipment
Verification of technical documentation from operating instructions to strength calculations

YOUR BENEFITS WITH PQS AS YOUR PARTNER:

Gain legal certainty and avoid liability risks and/or sanctions. This is applicable to manufacturers and distributors as products may only be brought onto the market in the EU if all the requirements of the Machinery Directive have been met
Create trust and provide security to your customers as the safety-related design of your machines and systems is verified and documented by recognized experts
Practical and safety-oriented solutions
Investment security as you gain decision-making authority on safety-related aspects from planning to implementation
High level of acceptance for your products thanks to the familiarity of PQS brand and the world-class reputation

You are well advised with PQS. As an accredited and notified body, we are your partner for all questions related to the conformity assessment procedures of the EC Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC as well as the examination based on international standards (ASME, ASTM, AS etc.) and national regulations

PQS IS A GLOBAL TESTING BODY FOR HOISTS, CRANES, LOAD HANDLING DEVICES AND OTHER MACHINERY

PQS Hoists and Cranes department offers globally recognized testing and certification services for the industry. We are a trusted and independent third-party solution provider of impartial inspection and assessment services. Our customers can leverage on our world-class expertise in the form of best practices and industry foresight, as well as our outstanding worldwide reputation.

As an accredited Notified Body in many countries, we provide premium end-to-end solutions, from product development to global market access and operator training. With our years of experience and know-how in inspection and certification in all major global markets, we ensure the safety and productivity of your cranes and construction machinery.

Procedure for The Validation/Verification

1. PURPOSE:

This documented procedure describes the procedure for Validation/Verification.

The Validation/Verification is divided into the following sections:

Pre-engagement
Offer submission and contract
Strategic Analysis & Risk Assessment
Evidence gathering activities
Validation/Verification Plan and Evidence gathering plan
Validation/Verification
Drafting of report
Opinion

This documented procedure ensures that the Validation/Verification are conducted in accordance with unified rules with regard to the procedure, personnel and working materials used, and therefore that consistent evaluation is achieved.

2. SCOPE:

The procedure is applicable for all positions and personnel involved in the verification

Process

3. RESPONSIBILITY:

V/V Manager is responsible to supervise and approve the Validation/Verification activities
Technical Manager is responsible to manage and supervise the Validation/Verification activities
Validator / Verifier is competent and impartial person with responsibility for performing and reporting on a verification activity
Independent reviewer is competent person who is not member of the verification team who reviews the verification or validation activities and conclusion

4. Procedures:

Pre-engagement
- PQS requires its clients to submit information sufficient to carry out a pre-engagement review. Information is requested using (PQS F5-01) Questionnaire of Validation/Verification. The information returned on this form should be sufficient to identify the requested type(s) of engagement which may include verification, validation, agreed-upon procedures, or a combination thereof.
- The output of the pre-engagement review using (PQS F5-01) Questionnaire of Validation/Verification is a proposal for validation or verification services that identifies the proposed objectives and scope of the engagement, applicable criteria, the materiality and level of assurance, the technical approach, members of the proposed validation/verification team, an estimate of the engagement’s duration, and a proposed time frame for completing the validation or verification.
- Following pre-engagement review, PQS will communicate any decision it makes to decline to offer validation/verification services. Unless PQS declines to propose services, it will submit a proposal to the client
Engagement (PQS F5-02)
- PQS obtains agreement with each client for the provision of validation or verification services. The contract template stored on PQS ’s Quality Documents SharePoint site meets this requirement.
- The agreement stipulates at a minimum that the client will comply with:

validation/verification requirements
making all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the validation/verification, including provisions for examining documentation and providing access to all relevant processes, areas, records, and personnel
where applicable, making provisions to accommodate observers
complying with PQS ’s rules for reference to validation/ verification or use of marks
- PQS ensures that the agreement with the client engages PQS to undertake validation/verification activities, including additional relevant requirements set by a program or standard.
- PQS is responsible for any inputs that it accepts to take into account when performing validation/verification activities, including those that have been generated by the client or other external parties.
- The contract template stored on PQS ’s Quality Documents SharePoint site meets these requirements. It also requires that the client shall communicate any facts to PQS that can affect the validity of an issued opinion. Our validation/verification proposal template meets the requirements of 9.2.2.

Planning (PQS –F05-03)
- PQS plans validation/verification engagements prior to executing them.
PQS ’s Manager, in consultation with the Certification manager, assigns competent resources to undertake validation or verification activities by matching verifiers or validators with relevant sectoral and technical competences to PQS ’s understanding of the subject matter addressed in the client’s statements.

The team leader performs a strategic analysis to understand the nature and complexity related to the environmental information statement and to determine the extent of the validation/ verification activities based on the engagement type

The team leader assesses the risk of nonconformity to the criteria

The team leader determines validation/verification activities based on his/her understanding of subject matter of the client’s statements

The team leader assesses the risk of material misstatement regarding the client’s statements

The team leader confirms the timing and access arrangements with the client
The team leader determines evidence-gathering activities needed to complete the validation/verification in accordance with specified requirements and consistent with the results of b) and c)
The team leader prepares an evidence-gathering plan, taking into account c) and any measures that the client has in place to control sources of potential errors, omissions, and misrepresentations
The team leader prepares a validation/verification plan considering the evidence-gathering plan as an input.
- PQS team leaders prepare verification plans that meets the requirements of ISO/IEC 17029 9.4.2 a)-d) and ISO 14065 9.4.3. “Risk Assessment” is to be used in the development of the Verification Plan.
- The requirement to inform the client of the names and roles of team members with sufficient notice for any objection to the appointment of any of them is met by disclosing their names in the proposal to perform the validation/verification engagement.
- PQS team leaders circulate the validation/verification plan to the client and responsible party at the conclusion of the planning process and subsequently when amendments to the verification plan are made.
- The team leader amends the validation/verification plan and the evidence-gathering plan and approves the revised documents in the following circumstances:

change in scope or timing of validation/verification activities

change in evidence-gathering procedures

change in locations and sources of information for evidence-gathering

when the validation/verification process identifies new risks or concerns that could lead to material misstatements or nonconformities
- Validation/verification execution (PQS –F05-04).
  - PQS team leaders execute validation/verification activities in accordance with the approved validation/verification plan
  - PQS team leaders revise the validation/verification plan as necessary during the validation/verification activities.
  - PQS team leaders document revisions of validation/ verification plans, including reasons for revision, in the (PQS –F05-03. After any revision, the team leader sends the revised plan to the client or responsible party, as applicable.
  - PQS team leaders, in collaboration with any team members, are responsible for undertaking the following activities:
- collection of sufficient objective evidence on original data/ information, ensuring its traceability through the data/information management process and any further analysis and calculation

identification of misstatements and consideration of their materiality

assessment of conformity with specified requirements, taking into account the validation/verification program.
- PQS team leaders are responsible for preparing the following:
a conclusion on the outcome of validation/verification activities described in section 9.5.4 of this manual

a draft validation/verification opinion

a validation or verification report

Note 1: Conclusions on the outcome of validation/verification activities are included in summary form in the draft opinion

Note 2: In the case of validations or verifications with multiple objectives, or mixed engagements, conclusions are expressed in separate paragraphs of the draft opinion

Note 3: Reports of factual findings may be presented in draft opinions in a captioned section separate from validation or verification conclusion/opinion paragraphs

Review (PQS –F05-04).
- PQS will carry out review activities for each validation/ verification and agreed-upon procedures engagement
- PQS reviews are carried out by persons who have not been involved in the validation/verification or agreed-upon procedures activities. They shall not have been involved in the planning of the validation/verification engagement and shall not have served in as members of the validation/verification team.

Note: Developing proposals for validation/verification engagements does not constitute “planning a validation/verification engagement.”

PQS reviewers shall complete (PQS –F05-04). and confirm that:

all validation/verification activities have been completed in accordance with the agreement and the program

sufficient and appropriate evidence support the validator’s or verifier’s conclusions, opinions, and factual findings, as applicable

significant findings, i.e. misstatements and nonconformities that could affect the opinion, have been identified, resolved, and documented

Note: “Resolution” of a finding may include its mention in a “limitation” or “modification” of an opinion

the competencies of validation/verification team members for the activities they conducted

whether the validation/verification planning has been designed appropriately, including whether the objective, scope and materiality are addressed by:

1) the strategic analysis and risk assessment

2) the validation/verification plan

3) the evidence-gathering plan

significant decisions made by the validation/verification team during the validation/verification
whether the opinion is appropriately drafted
whether the environmental information statement is fairly stated and conforms to criteria
- PQS reviewers communicate with the validation/verification team leader or members when the need for clarification arises. These communications and team leader/member responses are documented in the (PQS –F05-04).
- PQS reviewers shall have available to them records of the validation/verification activities (see section 9.11 of the manual). Client records typically are uploaded by team leaders to a secure Microsoft Teams site maintained by PQS.
- PQS completes its reviews prior to the issuance of opinions or reports of factual findings.

Decision and issue of the validation/verification opinion
- Decision
  - PQS decides whether to issue an opinion or confirm a report of factual findings based upon a review that is documented in (PQS –F05-04).
  - PQS ’s decisions are made by persons who have not been involved in the validation/verification execution.
  - Upon favorable decision review, PQS ’s operations manager sends a copy of the issued opinion or report of factual findings to the client. Types of opinions issued by PQS are unmodified, modified, or adverse.
  - In the case where PQS ’s validation or verification team is unable to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to reach a conclusion, PQS may disclaim the issuance of an opinion. This action shall be taken only after confirming that the client is unable or unwilling to address the issue of insufficient or inappropriate evidence. The absence of a response to PQS inquiries may be considered evidence of unwillingness to respond. The decision to disclaim the issuance of an opinion is based on the validation/verification team’s conclusion that the possible effects on the environmental information statement of undetected material misstatements are material and pervasive.
  - Should PQS disclaim the issuance of an opinion, the operations manager will communicate this decision to the client.
  - Validation conclusions, whether issued at the conclusion of a validation engagement or a mixed engagement, are based on the reasonableness of the assumptions, limitations and methods used to forecast information and are based on the evaluation of sufficient and appropriate evidence.
- Issuance of the validation/verification opinions occurs following review and the recording of a decision. PQS ’s reviewer is responsible for checking the draft opinion for conformity to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17029 9.7.2 and ISO 14065 9.7.2. The reviewer may make changes to the draft opinion to ensure its conformity with these requirements.

Note: Controlled PQS opinion templates are designed to meet the requirements for the content of opinions as described in ISO/IEC 17029 9.7.2 and ISO 14065 9.7.2.

Facts discovered after the issuance of the validation/verification opinion. PQS validation/verification teams gather sufficient appropriate evidence and identify relevant information up to the date of the verification or validation opinion.
- If new facts or information that could materially affect the validation/ verification opinion are discovered after the issue date, PQS shall:
communicate the matter as soon as practicable to the responsible party, the client and the environmental information program owner

take appropriate action, including the following:
1. discuss the matter with the client
2. consider if the validation/verification opinion requires revision or withdrawal
  - If the validation/verification opinion requires revision, PQS will implement processes to issue a new opinion, including specification of the reasons for the revision. These can include repeating relevant steps of the validation/verification process.
  - PQS may also communicate to other interested parties the fact that reliance on the original opinion is now compromised given the new facts or information discovered.