The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians Authors: J. Salvador Echeverría Villagómez J. Salvador Echeverría Villagómez Mahdha Flores Campos Mahdha Flores Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM) Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM)Authors: J. Salvador Echeverría Villagómez J. Salvador Echeverría Villagómez Mahdha Flores Campos Mahdha Flores Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM) Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM) A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR METROLOGY CONSULTANTS AND TECHNICIANS 2002 NCSL International Workshop and Symposium San Diego, CA August 2nd, 2002

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians TOPICS The global environment The national environment The PROCERH objectives The PROCERH strategy The PROCERH stages PROCERH: current state PROCERH: future work Other international programs

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability The organization shall determine the necessary competence for personnel performing work affecting product quality

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability The laboratory management shall ensure the competence of those who operate equipment, perform calibrations, evaluate results, and sign calibration certificates

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability Personnel performing specific tasks shall be qualified on the basis of appropriate education, training, experience and skills

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability In some technical areas it may be required that the personnel performing certain tasks hold personnel certification. The requirements for personnel certification might be regulatory, included in the standards for the specific technical field

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability Challenge of meeting requirements established for..... Personnel competence M. Standards Measurement and test equipment Technical procedures Technical registers Quality systems

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability RELEVANCE TO FORMAL CERTIFICATION SCHEMES IN METROLOGY Metrologist in laboratory and industry: have been trained in some engineering or science discipline + In-house training

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT Personnel certification and measurement interoperability Certification scheme based on technical competence: It gives the managers of laboratories an objective reference to evaluate the performance and technical competence of their metrologists If the competence standards have national or international recognition, the certification provide objective evidence of the competence of the metrologist

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT CENAM and the National Metrology System  National Measurement Institute Calibration & Testing Accredited Laboratories Industry & User sectors

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT The MESURA Program (since 1994)  QUALITY Standards, Instruments Methods, procedures Personnel Traceability, calibrations Evaluation Assesment, training Provides technical assistance to organizations (metrology laboratories, industries and other organizations) in 3 main aspects of measurement technology:

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT The MESURA Interinstitutional Network (since 1998) MESURA Coordination Center USM Metrological Information System, based on Internet Metrological Quality System, electronically maintained Training and Certification Program for metrology consultants and technicians

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians The PROCERH objectives To ensure the technical competence of calibration technicians of the National Metrology System To ensure the technical and communication competence of metrology consultants of the MESURA Interinstitutional Network

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians The PROCERH strategy Certification scheme based on technical competence KNOWLEDGE ABILITIES APTITUDES SKILLS

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians The PROCERH strategy Evaluation Certification Competencies Development (training) Evaluation based on a Competence STANDARD Certification based on a Competence STANDARD Competencies Development Based on a Competence STANDARD National Council for standarization and certification of personnel competence. Evaluation Center Certification Organism

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians The PROCERH stages STAGE I : Metrology Consultants for the MESURA Interinstitutional Network STAGE II: Calibration Technicians for the National Metrology System STAGE III: Testing and measurement technicians of user sectors: industry, commerce, etc.

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians Stage I: Metrology Consultants for the MESURA Interinstitutional Network Focused on 2 levels of consultants: General Metrology consultant: focused in the process of the organization Specific Metrology consultant: focused in specific metrological quantities They must be competent in: analyzing, diagnosing, proposing and implementing solutions about metrological systems STAGE

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians Stage II: Calibration Technicians for the National Metrology System They must be competent in: Performing calibration activities in specific quantities, within specific ranges and uncertainties, and with specific techniques. Focused on : People who work in accredited laboratories STAGE

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians Stage III: Testing and measurement technicians of the user sector They must be competent in Performing calibration activities in specific quantities or techniques and in several levels (master, official, junior, operator) according to the most common requirements of competence in industry and other organizations. Focused on : People who work in industry and other organizations STAGE

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians PROCERH: current state At the moment, there have been accomplished activities about STAGE 1. Development of competence documentary standards about: General metrology consultant Thermometry metrology consultant Mass metrology consultant Development of competence evaluation instruments about: General metrology consultant Thermometry metrology consultant...and different activities performed in order to ensure the technical competence of metrology consultants.

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians PROCERH: future work STAGE I: To develop standards about Dimensional metrology consultant Volume metrology consultant To establish the certification organism and evaluation center To establish programs for competence development STAGE II: To develop the complete scheme for metrologists that perform calibration activities in accredited calibration laboratories STAGE III: To develop the complete scheme for metrologist and other functions as instructors

The Challenge of Measurement Interoperability A certification program for metrology consultants and technicians Other international programs “Certified Calibration Technician” (CCT) program / 2000 American Society for Quality (ASQ) -Measurmement Quality Division (MQD) Measurement NVQ/SVQ partnership programme /1998 It covers subject basics, mechanical, electrical, pshysical and analytical measurements. Funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), as part of the National Measurement Partnership Programme (run by NPL). The programme was promoted by a consortium led by Brunel University, working with the Engineering and Marine Training Authority (EMTA) National Certificate in Industrial Measurement and Control / 2001 Registered on the National Qualifications Framework by New Zealand Qualifications Authority