2. ASME Nuclear Conformity Assessment
Kevin Ennis
Director, Nuclear Codes and Standards

3. ASME Nuclear Conformity Assessment
What is it?
Why is Conformity Assessment Important?
Who is involved?
What are the steps in the process?
How does Conformity Assessment fit into the nuclear industry?

4. Conformity Assessment - Defined
Definition (from ISO/IEC 17000)
Demonstration that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person or body are fulfilled
Examples: testing, inspection, certification, registration, accreditation
Simply:
Programs, processes and procedures for demonstrating compliance with Section III of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Product Certification
Nuclear Components
Materials

5. Conformity Assessment - Defined
Nuclear components: vessels, pumps, valves, piping systems, storage tanks, core support systems, concrete containments
Field installation and shop assembly
Fabrication, with or without design responsibility, for nuclear parts
Safety and safety relief valves
Containment of spent fuel and high level radioactive waste NS
Nuclear component supports (no associated stamp)

6. Conformity Assessment - Defined
Quality System Certificate
Material Manufacturers and Material Suppliers
Supply material to nuclear component manufacturers
Examples:
Bars, fasteners, castings, forgings, plates, fittings, flanges, tubular products
Wire, rod, billets, ingots
Welding material
Concrete reinforcing bars, prestressing components

7. Conformity Assessment - Defined
Types of Certificates
Accreditation – Approval of QA Program
Accreditation – Quality System Manufacture and Supply of Material
Authorization – Component Manufacture
Authorization – Supports

8. Conformity Assessment - Defined
ASME Certifies the manufacturer
Manufacturer certifies the product

9. Importance of Conformity Assessment
History
Industrial Revolution ~ late 1800’s
Steam power to 1910
Explosions
Early Regulations
ASME Boiler Code – 1915
Conformity Assessment – S, A and PP Stamps
Interstate Commerce
Global Trade

10. Importance of Conformity Assessment
Conformity assessment process ensures:
Products, services, or systems have the required characteristics (i.e., meet Code requirements)
Characteristics are consistent from product to product, service to service, or system to system

11. Importance of Conformity Assessment
Conformity assessment process enables:
Manufacturers have access to markets
Purchasers to have confidence that products will be acceptable for use (regulations and liability insurance)
Regulatory Authorities to have confidence that equipment is safe to operate
Organizations to have recourse for bringing products into compliance with the Code

12. Importance of Conformity Assessment
Conformity assessment process assists in:
Supply chain management
Last Build – US technology with US suppliers (mostly)
New Build – global supply chains
New Build – global suppliers
(As an example, a component may be assembled and certified in the US but the parts may come from all over the world.)

13. Conformity Assessment Organizations
Organizations Involved:
Regulatory Authorities
NRC
Jurisdiction
Certification Bodies
ASME
National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors (National Board)
Third Party Inspection Agency
Authorized Nuclear Inspection Agency (ANIA)
Certificate Holder
Manufacturer

14. Conformity Assessment Organizations
Regulatory Authorities:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Endorse the Code as an acceptable means of complying with regulation
Member of the Committee on Nuclear Certification
Jurisdictions
Adopt and enforce the Code
Member of the Committee on Nuclear certification
May participate as a member of the survey team

15. Conformity Assessment Organizations
Certification Bodies:
ASME
Promulgates the Code
Certifies Manufacturers
Authorizes the Inspection Agencies (ANIA)
National Board
Examination and Commissioning of Inspectors
May represent the Jurisdictions

16. Conformity Assessment Organizations
Third Party Inspection Agency
Government agencies which adopt and enforce the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. “Jurisdictions”
Companies licensed in U.S. or Canada to write Boiler and Pressure Vessel insurance
Accredited by ASME to perform the inspections required by one or more sections of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code
Provide third party inspection (oversight) to ensure the ASME Certificate Holder is in compliance with Scope of Authorization
Participate in the survey of the manufacturer

17. Conformity Assessment Organizations
Certificate Holder:
Controlled Manufacturing process
All Examinations
All Tests
Final Certification

18. Conformity Assessment Process
6 Months
Application-Preparation
3-5 days
Survey
30-90 days
Deficiency Correction
3-year cycle
1 week
Certification Decision (CNC)
Issuance of Certificate

19. Conformity Assessment Process
Application/Preparation:
Applicant applies to ASME
Enters into an agreement with an ANIA
Applicant prepares for the survey
Establishes and implements QA program
Internal audit

20. Conformity Assessment Process
Survey:
Survey Team
ASME Team Leader
1/2 ASME Team Members
Authorized Nuclear Inspector
Authorized Nuclear Inspector Supervisor
Jurisdiction (invited)

21. Conformity Assessment Process
Survey:
3-5 Day Survey
Manual review
Entrance meeting
Implementation demonstration
Team findings and recommendations
Exit meeting
Recommendations
Due process

22. Interaction among organization in the nuclear industry
User
Regulatory Authority
Manufacturer
Regulation
Contract
Conformity Assessment
Regulation