All companies engaged in welded production are required to establish and implement ISO 3834 Welded Manufacturing Competence Management System in their enterprises and then obtain ISO 3834 Certificate. After the system is applied for a while, the certification process is initiated by applying to a certification body. In general, the first step is taken by completing an application form to be obtained from certification bodies. However, it is necessary to be careful in the selection of the certification body and to investigate whether it is authorized by a national or international accreditation body.
After the evaluation of the application form, the certification body prepares a contract. The scope of the service to be provided in the contract should be clear and understandable. As soon as the contract is signed by the applicant company, the work starts and the certification body appoints a sufficient number of auditors depending on the size of the enterprise and the number of employees. Audits are performed for all industrial companies that make production using welding based on ISO 3834 standard. For enterprises engaged in the production and repair of railway vehicles and parts TS EN 15085 standards.
A preliminary audit is made by the auditors first over the documentation studies. If there are any inconveniences or errors that draw attention during the pre-audit, they are requested to be corrected. Field inspections cannot be carried out before documentation deficiencies are eliminated. If any deficiencies are not found or the deficiencies seen are completed within the given time, the field audits where the actual audit work will be carried out. At this stage, the activities of the enterprise are monitored on the job. It is observed on-site how much the work done is carried out in accordance with the prepared work processes, application instructions and work flow charts, how much the employees act in accordance with their job descriptions. At this stage, if there are noticeable deficiencies and nonconformities, corrective and preventive actions are requested and the results of these studies are followed.
If these studies require changes to the existing documentation work, these changes are also made possible. After all these studies are completed, the auditors prepare a report and submit it to the certification body. If the certification body evaluates the results of this report and deems appropriate, it shall issue ISO 3834 Welded Manufacturing Proficiency Management System Certificate and submit it to the company. The validity period of the certificate is three years. However, interim audits are required once a year to check the continuity of the certified system compliance. The important thing is not only to receive documents, but to ensure that the system is sustainable. If it is determined during the interim audits that the company does not comply with the standard requirements, the certificate may be canceled.
