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Printable Version

A-1 Rev. 1 Measurement Canada Conducted Product Audits

Date: 2005-03-29
Bulletin: A-1-E, Rev. 1
Category: Accreditation
Document(s): Criteria for the Accreditation of Organizations to Perform Inspections Pursuant to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act (S-A-01:2002). Supersedes A-1 and all previous documentation on this issue.

Subject: Product Audits Conducted by Measurement Canada

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this Bulletin is to define interim product audit requirements and processes in order to ensure national uniformity and effectiveness for accreditation product audit activities performed by Measurement Canada.

2.0 Scope

This document provides a framework for planning, conducting and documenting product audits pursuant to the accreditation standard, S-A-01:2002, Criteria for Accreditation of Organizations to Perform Inspections Pursuant to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act and the Weights and Measures Act. This procedure applies to all regularly scheduled Measurement Canada product audits.

3.0 Objective of Product Audits

The objectives of conducting product audits are as follows:

to verify that accredited organizations’ inspection results are in accordance with legal requirements; and
to assist Measurement Canada in monitoring the effectiveness of the accreditation program.

The results of product audits may also assist Measurement Canada in monitoring the level of equity and accuracy in the marketplace.

4.0 Planning the Product Audit

4.1 General

Product audits are to be planned by the District Manager responsible for the area where the headquarters of the accredited client is located, in conjunction with the Regional Accreditation Coordinator and with the District Managers responsible for the areas where the accredited client’s sites are located. Product audits must only be performed by trained and qualified Measurement Canada staff. Audit Team Leaders will be responsible for controlling the conduct of the product audits, however they may utilize the assistance of other qualified Measurement Canada employees.

4.2 Planning Weights and Measures Product Audits

Weights and Measures product audits are to be planned in such a manner that as a minimum, over a three year period, all recognized technicians and all devices under an accredited organization’s scope have been audited.

4.3 Planning Electricity and Gas Product Audits

Electricity and Gas product audits are to be planned in such a manner that as a minimum, over a three year period, that all technicians conducting final inspections and all meter categories under an accredited organization’s scope have been audited.

5.0 Conducting the Product Audit

An audit plan shall be developed and issued to the client after the Audit Team Leader has consulted with their team members. The plan should be designed to be flexible in order to accommodate changes based on the observations gathered during the audit. The audit plan should include as a minimum:

the audit objective and scope;
the audit criteria;
identification of the audit team member(s); and
date, location and duration of the audit.

It is not necessary to identify in advance the exact devices that will be evaluated during the product audit.

The Audit Team Leader shall conduct an opening and closing meeting with the client to ensure that the client understands the scope and purpose of the audit as well as the results of the product audit activities.

5.1 Product Selection

Any device that has been certified, verified, re-verified or inspected by an accredited organization can be selected for a product audit. A range of devices should be selected.

Devices selected for Weights and Measures product audits should be devices that have been certified by accredited organizations within the previous six months.

When selecting electricity and gas acceptance or compliance sample meters, the same sample that has been inspected and tested by the accredited organization should be selected where possible.

5.2 Selection of Test Equipment

Measurement Canada auditors should use measuring apparatus, test equipment and procedures that the accredited organization used to conduct the inspection. Measurement Canada owned and certified test equipment may be used when the Audit Team Leader deems it appropriate. Measurement Canada owned and certified test equipment should also be used to conduct field product audits.

5.3 Inspection Process

Measurement Canada inspectors conducting device inspections as part of product audits shall use Measurement Canada accepted procedures and take appropriate enforcement actions on the devices not meeting requirements.

Inspection results are to be communicated to the Lead Auditor responsible for the product audit for further review and investigation.

5.4 Nonconformances

5.4.1 Issuing Nonconformances

A nonconformance shall be issued by the Lead Auditor responsible for the product audit when review and investigation of inspection results indicate that:

accepted inspection procedures were not followed (i.e. devices inspected are not approved and/or within the organization’s scope, seals and markings were not used correctly, etc.);

standards, measuring apparatus and test equipment are not properly maintained and used;

information required by MC (i.e. reports, inspection certificates, records, questionnaires, etc.) is not accessible, complete, clear, accurate and submitted within required time frames.

Note: Measurement errors are not cause for a nonconformance on their own but on investigation may provide objective evidence of nonconformance related to the first two points above.

When a nonconformance is identified for more than one of the categories listed above, as a minimum a separate Nonconformance / Corrective Action Report shall be issued for each category of nonconformance.

5.4.2 Corrective Action

Time lines for the client to determine the cause and implement corrective action should be discussed. The default time allowance for addressing nonconformances is 3 weeks (15 working days) from the date of issuance of the audit report, unless the client justifies the requirement for more time. Time lines for closing nonconformances must be documented in the audit report. The Audit Team Leader shall take appropriate actions to prevent noncomplying devices from being introduced into the marketplace and appropriate action to remove any noncomplying devices.

5.5 Issuing Inspection Certificates

5.5.1 Electricity and Gas

Inspection certificates shall not be issued for devices inspected as part of product audits conducted under the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.

5.5.2 Weights and Measures

Inspection certificates shall be issued as required by section 19 of the Weights and Measures Act when devices are inspected as part of product audits conducted at factory and field locations.

6.0 Product Audit Reporting

The product audit report shall contain as a minimum:

the accredited organization’s inspection results (inspection certificate numbers will be included but the certificates themselves will not be attached);
the number of devices tested by Measurement Canada as part of a product audit;
the number of individual devices exceeding specified tolerance;
nonconformances generated as a result of the product audit.

In all circumstances, a complete and detailed product audit report must be completed.

7.0 Audit Completion

The audit is completed upon submission of the audit report to the auditee. Any required follow up action should be conducted in the same manner as quality system audit follow up.

8.0 Corrective Action Follow-up

The auditee shall develop corrective action to address each documented nonconformance. Enforcement action shall be taken as specified in the product audit report. The auditee shall evaluate all nonconformances, conduct root cause analysis, and take appropriate corrective action. The Audit Team Leader, in conjunction with the Regional Accreditation Coordinator, shall review the root cause analysis and evaluate the proposed corrective action, and inform the auditee of their findings. Corrective action and subsequent follow-up audits should be completed within a time period agreed to and documented by the Audit Team Leader and the auditee.

9.0 Purpose of Revision

The purpose of this revision was to revise as follows:

Section 3.0, reword for clarification;
Section 4.2 and 4.3, reword for clarification;
Section 5.0, reword and reformat to more accurately describe the product audit and product inspection, and nonconformance issuing process; and
Section 6.0, reword for clarification.

10.0 Additional Information

For additional information regarding this bulletin, please contact Mr. Rick Aikens, Senior Program Officer - Innovative Services Directorate. The copy of this document is considered to be the controlled copy.

Sonia Roussy
Vice President - Innovative Service Directorate
Measurement Canada


		Created: 2005-08-04 Updated: 2005-12-02	Top of Page	Important Notices