reliability, confidence and competence 1 2002-2012 the first ten years of the operation of the...

Reliability, Confidence and Competence1

2002-2012

The first ten years of the operation of the Cyprus Accreditation Body

Dr Kyriacos TsimillisDirector

,


The road of Quality in Cyprus1975: Establishment of the Cyprus Organization for

Standards and Control of Quality (CYS) – Law 68/75

1980: Promotion of Product Certification

1992: Introduction of Quality Management System

Cerification (ISO 9000)

1995: Introduction of Accreditation

2002: Preparation of a new legislative framework –

Law Ν.156(Ι) (CYS-CYSAB) – Transfer of certification

activities to the Cyprus Certification Company

2005: Transfer of standardization activities to the Cyprus

Standardization Organization

2011: CYS-CYSAB becomes an EA MLA signatory

201Χ: Change to an autonomous status


CYS-CYSAB is…

the National Accreditation Body the organization for the Promotion of Quality the competent authority for the inspection

and verification of the Good Laboratory Practice the competent authority for the Technical Notification The competent authority for the assessment

of bodies applying to become notified (New

Approach Directives). As from February 2011, accreditation is a prerequisite for notification.


Today’s event

gives the opportunity for a brief review of the main activities of CYS-CYSAB during its first decade, after the implementation of the Accreditation Law (2002).

Some illustrative help comes from the photos in the exhibition at the back of this room.

The decade starts in 2002 with the then new Law; however, some important activities had already started since 1995.


The first significant step…

was the implementation of a programme co-funded by theEuropean Commission and the Government of the Republicof Cyprus for establishment of the infrastructure for the National Accreditation System, implemented by DANAK (October 2003 – March 2004) the harmoniozation with the New Approach Directives, implemented by EOTC (Οctober 2003-June 2004).


With regard to Accreditation…

a lot of activities were carried out in a rather short period, namely training fοr assessors (for laboratories and

inspection/certification bodies) in Cyprus practical training of five assessors attending (as

observers) assessments by DANAK in Denmark.

Much more time was then required to complete the System, as it was gradually implemented and

matured. An endless procedure!


In the second part

of the Programme, also managed by CYS-CYSAB,25 experts from the whole of the European Union, implemented a big number of activities i.e. training and awareness, publications etc. They cooperated with all ministries and all competent authorities for each individual New Approach Directives.

Very important for both CYS-CYSAB and through it for theMinistry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in general.


An Accreditation Body..

Is evaluated by ΕΑ**, ΙLAC and IAF***according to Standards*

Is working according to Standards*

Assesses CABs according to Standards*

CABs under assessment comply with Standards*

* european/international** European cooperation for Accreditation*** International Accreditation Organizations


Great emphasis was given…to the training and continuous education of assessors withthe support of organizations from abroad (EA, ESYD,DANAK, BIPM, HellasLab, Eurachem, Eurolab and others). The objectives were to cover new subjects/fields to maintain and widen the technical competence to interact on specific technical issues to follow developments with regard to the issue of new standards and revision of others i.e. ΙS0 17025, ISO 15189, EN 45011, EN 45004, EN 45012, ISO 17011, ISO 17020, ISO 17021, ISO 17024, ISO 17043.


CYS-CYSAB uses external partnersas Technical Assessors. Considering the difficulties of a small market, especially during the first phase of accreditation services being offered, an MoU was signed with ESYD in June 2005. Emphasis was also given to the involvement of experienced Cypriots as Tecnhical Assessors. They were working mainly in accredited laboratories in the public sector as well as in

Universities.Two more MoUs were signed with The Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus

(November 2009) The State General Laboratory (June 2010).


Τhe cooperation with IRMM

started in 2002 and involved training programmesparticipation of laboratories in PT schemes post-graduate studies for new personnel.

Further to this, CYS-CYSAB participated inTrainMiC and AcadeMiC with very favourable results.


Euromed Quality Programme

was implemented within the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation for 5 years (2004-2008). Among the 12 beneficiary countries, Cyprus and Malta had already the experience of the pre-accession period and they could more efficiently interact with colleagues from other countries. More than 150 scientists form both the public and private sectors of Cyprus participated in the

training and other activities of the Progarmme. CYS-CYSAB was the national coordinator.


The route towards the european and the international accreditation CYS-CYSAB becomes Full Member of EA (Νοvember 2004) CYS-CYSAB becomes Αffiliate Member of ILAC and after the first accreditation certificate was granted (June 2006) Associate Pre-evaluation by EA (Μarch 2009) Initial assessment by EA (Μay 2011) CYS-CYSAB is accepted as an EΑ MLA signatory (Οctober) and signs EA MLA (Testing, Inspection) in Νοvember 2011 CYS-CYSAB become an ΙLAC MRA signatory (Testing and Inspection) in Οctober 2011


The participation in the international activities…includes many other aspects, further to agreements, namely active participation in meetings (General

Assemblies and committees) active involvement in voting, submission of

comments etc.) follow new documents and comply with them Participation in the peer evaluation system of EA.

The involvement of CYS-CYSAB in this procedure

has been upgraded after ΕΑ ΜLA


Emphasis was given to…

the widening of the participation in EA committees the representation of CYS-CYSAB by younger colleagues the consultation with the accreditation bodies of other small countries and the coordination with them to underline specific problems they face in the light of some developments and new requirements. A couple of such examples were met during the discussion of both EA and ILAC documents and the Regulation (EC) no.765/2008.


CYS-CYSAB represents Cyprus

in all european fora within its responsibilities including Standardization issues (at the State level), Technical Notification and New Approach Directives (SOGS). With regard to Accreditation in particular, it participates in the General Assembly and the basic committees of the European cooperation for Accreditation (EA) as well as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).


The General Assembly of EA

was hosted in Nicosia,in Νοvember 2007. It was an honour for CYS-CYSAB to organise this very important event on the 10th Anniversaryof EA.

20-21 November 2007

and

WORKSHOP “What is accreditable?”

21 November 2007

20-21 November 2007

and

WORKSHOP “What is accreditable?”

21 November 2007


This year, on the 10th Anniversary…

of CYS-CYSAB, we are proud to host during the next few days in Nicosia the autumn meeting of the EA Multilateral Agreement Council.

EA MAC meeting

Nicosia, Cyprus26-27 September 2012


Αpplications and certificates


Income from accreditation services


Accreditation certificates (31 Dec 2011)


Accreditation certificates (by activity)


CYS-CYSAB has constantly…efficient communication with the competent authorities forlegislative issues and the use of accreditation for the implementation of the law as well as public procurement.

Cooperation is also established for many years with CyprusLab, Eurachem-Cyprus and other scientific associations. CYS-CYSAB promptly responded to invitations and participated in seminars and other awareness events.

CYS-CYSAB has organised a big number of training and awareness events on various occasions, including the International Accreditation Day, the Accreditation Week etc.


Leaflets in GR, TR and EN

www.cys.mcit.gov.cy


MoUs on accreditation…

have been signed with neighbouring countries.

This underlines the perspectives of regional cooperation on quality issues.

In each case, CYS-CYSAB is fully committed to

the provisions of the cross-border accreditation.


During the whole procedure…

we presented the characteristics of a living institution which documents in practice the ability not only to identify problems but also takes corrective and

preventiveactions. There have been some complaints for delays decisions for suspension or withdrawal of certificates decisions for extension or reduction of scope of accreditation reassessment CABs after the first 4-year cycle was completed.


How is accreditation transferred?Soon after CYS-CYSAB became an ΕΑ MLA signatory,

CABs which had been earlier accredited by other accreditationbodies, started to transfer their accreditation status to CYS-CYSAB. The framework for this is as follows: CYS-CYSAB recognises the accreditation certificate granted by another EA MLA signatory It undertakes to continue the procedure with surveillance visits or reassessments as appropriate It asks for the documentation for the last two visits by the foreign accreditation body including all findings and relevant corrective actions by the applicant.


Throughout the whole procedure…there are a number of challenging aspects: new topics new challenges new efforts extended working hours Cooperation and interaction with younger/new colleagues, both in CYS-CYSAB and the

accredited/ under accreditation bodies.


Some time ago,

a new colleague, referred to CYS-CYSAB as something

quite different from what a public service looks like: “it looks like an academic institution”, he said. As he explained later, this was the main reason he

joined CYS-CYSAB. Nowadays, he is a qualified Lead Assessor.


The accession to EA MLA represents a success for CYS-CYSAB. However, this development (referring to testing and inspection)

does not automatically ensure that an accreditation body remains an MLA signatory!

The re-evaluation of CYS-CYSAB will be carried out in 2013 in correlation with the evaluation of an

extension to calibration as well.

Ensuring the sustainability in the efficient operation of CYS-CYSAB represents a task for development of high priority.

It is a responsibility of the State to ensure adequate resources.


For the steps to follow…

the main pillars are the following: Full compliance with the specified requirements

and other commitments [ISO 17011, Regulation (EC) no. 765/2008, documents of EA, ILAC, IAF]

Continuous training of the assessors ensuring their continuity

Widening of the scopes of the ΕΑ MLA.


An autonomous status: A step ahead?

In order to ensure that CYS-CYSAB has the necessary flexibility and adequate human

andeconomic resources, a new status with

sufficientautonomy is currently under consideration

as a step ahead.


Having completed the first decadeof its operation, the Cyprus Accreditation

Body iscommitted to carry on with reliability,

efficiency and competence, continuity and

sustainability towards the second decade!


Thank you for your attention!

reliability, confidence and competence 1 2002-2012 the first ten years of the operation of the...

Documents

accreditation law

new law

main activities of cys

national accreditation

important activities

cyprus organization

control of quality cys

new subjectsfieldsto