The start of a public policy regulation system?

Arising from quality philosophies widely adopted since the 1980s, the numbers and powers of bodies issuing qualifying certificates against standards such as the Quality Management Standard have risen almost exponentially. In due course, a series of accreditation agencies arose, specifically to provide credentials to the adolescent certifying industry. To regulate these new infants, standards were developed (and refined), 1,2,3 against which the credentials of accreditation agencies could be assessed.

In theory, certifying authorities for accreditation agencies should have been those which were already issuing qualifying certificates. Looked at more rationally, though, it is what used to be called a cosy arrangement, so some governments set up registration agencies, who issued licenses to accreditation bodies within their domain. Some didn't, though.

There now seems to be a whole phalanx of independent accreditation bodies, based on national requirements, which, while they conform to the agreed international standard for accreditation bodies, do not necessarily agree with each other, or accept the judgement of accreditation bodies from other nation states. Flemming Norklitt, MD of BSI Management Systems, has commented, "The increase in number (of accreditation bodies) has been driven by governments worldwide and not customer pressure. Their aim should be to add confidence to the work carried out by certification bodies, not by setting their own rules, but through international standards."

The diagnosis is absolutely right; the prescription seems less robust. Once it becomes necessary for government policies to be subject to international standards (rather than the other way round), there might well arise a need for a government 'regulator'. It happened with education, and it happened with supplies from utilities. Could this be the seed from which the Office for Standards in Policies (OFSTAPO) will spring?

Consultation response

The Association has prepared a response to a consultation from the UK's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs covering a proposed amendment to the EU's Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing of certain measuring devices containing mercury. Although the Commission says that the proposals 'apply to the marketing of fever thermometers and other devices intended for consumer use', the wording of the proposal seems to include 'devices which are already in use or sold second-hand, as well as specialist apparatus in professional applications in science and industry'.

Copies of the consultation can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/ current.htm. The Association's draft response is available from gensec@occa.org.uk. Arrangements are in train to post the response on www.occaonline.net.

The clash of the quality manuals

All standardisation is covered by rules. In Europe, standardisation is covered by the CEN Internal Regulations, which are freely available through the internet. However, national standards systems are not necessarily either freely available or consistent with international guidelines. Some national standards organisation are now offering to assist technicians and scientists who are members of their technical committees to understand the rules they work under, through the provision of detailed training courses. National experts in their own fields now appear to be required to follow approved courses in the rules of their national systems before they are accepted as being suitable and appropriate persons to participate in standardisation processes. It doesn't seem to matter whether the training is useful, or provided by a training provider not approved to provide training. It doesn't seem to matter that experts are nominated to serve by their technical and scientific peers. Far more important is that the Quality System4 is complied with.

It used to be the case that where there was a conflict between reality and the quality manual, the consultant who wrote the manual was fired, and the necessary amendments made to the system. Alas, it seems, no more.

Science Council holds AGM

The Science Council held its AGM on 13th June 2006. Prof Sir Gareth Roberts, President of the Science Council, chaired the meeting, and the subsequent meeting of the Full Council. Lord Rees of Ludlow, President of the Royal Society, presented a paper entitled 'The Physical Sciences: Prospects and perceptions'.

A report of the Council's research project covering equality and diversity was presented by the consultants who carried out the work. Diana Garnham, CEO of the Science Council, summed up a stimulating and invigorating day.

The Science Council is the recognised sector body for science. It has grown to about 30 scientific and learned societies, and enjoys representative rights for science as a whole, and undertakes projects of interest to the scientific community. IThe Council can licence its members to award the Chartered Scientist (CSci) designation. The Association holds a licence for this purpose and is a member of the Council.

References

1. BS EN 45010:1998. General requirements for assessment and accreditation of certification systems (now superseded and withdrawn)[Return ]

2. PD 6642:1999. General requirements for bodies providing accreditation of inspection bodies (now superseded and withdrawn)[Return ]

3. BS EN ISO/IEC 17011 Conformity Assessment. General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies[Return ]

4. BS EN ISO 9000 series. Quality Management Systems[Return ]

British Standards are available from BSI, 384 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL, or from the Association at 1st Floor, 3 Eden Court, Eden Way, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4FY, UK