API becomes registrar for ISO 9000

Washington, D.C.-The American Petroleum Institute (API) has become an accredited International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9000 quality system registrar. ISO 9000 is a general term for a series of five related quality management and assurance standards that provide internationally recognized models for operating a quality assurance system.

According to API, its new service, called API Quality Registrar (APIQR), will provide a one-stop shop for companies seeking to obtain registrations for ISO quality systems and for examining existing API quality programs through a single audit.

"Having a quality system in place facilitates a company's ability to produce quality goods and services," said Ronald Jones, API vice president for industry operations. "Being accredited to offer this international registration of quality systems means API will be able to help companies meet the demands of an increasingly competitive global business environment," he added.

The ISO 9000 registrar accreditation program is an extension of API's existing quality licensing portfolio, which includes approving licenses for API's Monogram Program and the Petroleum Test Laboratory Accreditation Program. An API spokeswoman said nearly 1,200 companies worldwide are licensed to use the API monogram on equipment produced for the oil and gas industry. API's Petroleum Test Laboratory Program accredits refinery and commercial laboratories that test petroleum products.

API plans to offer a dual registration option, handling two registrations with a single audit, to companies interested in the ISO 9000 certification and either the monogram or test laboratory accreditation programs.

Companies with quality systems that meet ISO 9000 requirements and pass an on-site audit will be able to display APIQR's registration mark confirming that its quality system meets ISO international standards.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3739/is_199802/ai_n8799635