MWG 12- QUALITY SYSTEM
The Quality System Working Group in SIM, MWG 12, supports SIM and its member NMIs/DIs in meeting the requirements regarding the quality system which supports their technical competence and valid results under the CIPM MRA or not.
Mission
The QMS WG 12 as part of the TC (technical committee) was created to support the needs of NMI’s and DI’s in their application and knowledge of quality management systems along with the implementation and submission of their Calibration and measurement capabilities so they can be recognized by their peers.
This working group’s efforts include the participation of the members (typically the NMI quality representative) working with various SIM metrology working groups to ensure harmonized awareness of the quality systems and the implementation of quality systems within the region.
The QMS WG 12 also works in conjunction with other SIM entities such as the QSTF, in order to provide the NMI’s and DI’s with the training, knowledge, and awareness of the necessary requirements in order for them to seek and obtain the quality systems approval within their participation of the CIPM MRA or not.
Regarding the SIM strategic plan, the QS WG works toward the following objectives:
- Development of NMIs in the SIM Region
- This objective focuses on improving the technical capabilities of SIM NMIs, through training (internships, summer school, etc.), Mentoring, provision of (primary) traceability on specific technical services for scientific and legal metrology, assistance in implementation and maintenance of quality management system, inter-institute exchange of personnel, and promoting cooperative research projects among SIM NMIs.
- The goals of this objective can be defined as improving the technical capabilities of SIM NMIs and increasing active sim participation in the MRA and/or treaty of the metre.
- The activities identified to achieve this objective are to be funded through resources made available from SIM NMIs, donor agencies, and membership fees.
Under the scope of the objective above the QS WG:
- Help the NMIs and DIs to achieve their need regarding the QS
- Promote guidelines or best practice documents within the WG and with the other WG regarding QS
- Fulfill Regional Metrology Organization Obligations under the CIPM MRA
- This objective focuses on the roles and responsibilities that SIM must fulfill as an official regional metrology organization recognized by the JCRB under the CIPM MRA. These obligations include the organization of regional comparisons according to SIM NMI demands, regional review of SIM member’s CMC submissions, inter-regional review of CMC submissions by other RMOs, required review of the quality systems of the NMIs within SIM, and representing SIM at the JCRB. Additionally,
- These obligations include a reasonable and distributed participation of SIM NMIs in CIPM-sponsored activities, such as key comparisons and consultative committees. These obligations should be funded directly by the member NMIs without the need for any external or common source of funds.
Under the scope of the objective above the QS WG:
- Help to build and increase a peer reviewers data base
- Help to strengthen the competence of SIM´s peer reviewers
- Promote the creation of guidelines to implement and assessed the QS of their NMI´s
WG MISSION ACCORDING TO STATUES (6.1.4)
The MWGs must:
- promote the participation of all NMI members and of their DIs with technical measuring capabilities in their area;
- keep record, coordinate and ensure proper functioning of the SIM comparisons, as well as the adequate dissemination of the results thereof;
- review the calibration and measuring capabilities (CMC) of SIM members for submitting it to the JCRB through the President of the TC;
- review the CMCs of national metrology institutes from other regional organizations within the framework of CIPM MRA;
- suggest and organize training activities and collaboration projects among its members.
WG chairs MISSION ACCORDING SIM 01 (THE RULES OF ORDER OF THE MWGS)
The chairs of MWGs will help to develop full cooperation among the SIM countries in their respective areas of measurement. Specifically, the chairs will work with the technical contacts in their areas in the national or designated laboratories to:
- Develop and maintain an annotated catalog of measurement capabilities, ranges, uncertainties, and reference conditions of all NMIs/DIs offering services in the area;
- Develop options for expanded measurement services for all with minimum duplication of effort;
- Make regional and interregional review of cmcs following JCRB requirements (2)
- Distribute proposed cmcs among the WG membership and other relevant parties for intraregional (within) SIM review and acceptance.
- Upload sim-approved new cmc files into KCDB for interregional review.
- Be in contact with the cc to be aware of comparisons requirements in each field
- Determine which additional comparisons are needed to achieve mutual recognition of the essential equivalence (within appropriate uncertainties) of national standards within SIM and with other regional metrology organizations;
- Make arrangements for performing these comparisons and follow them to completion including publication;
- Keep abreast of developments in other RMOs, cooperate and participate in their meetings as appropriate;
- Arrange meetings and workshops to plan and implement activities that help to promote achievement of SIM objectives; and
- Attend technical committee (TC) meetings, participate in making TC working plan, and support in the presentation and administration of TC projects.
- Report at least biannually (prior to the technical committee meetings).
- Follow the process of comparisons of standards, and make sure all comparisons are registered and in the actual state.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHAIRS AND TECHNICAL CONTACTS
- The MWG chair is responsible for coordinating the development of a work plan and arranging meetings of technical contacts as required.
- Work plan elements:
- Calibration services that are offered in common by several SIM NMIs/DIs and plans of extension of these services.
- Regional (SIM) comparisons (2) appropriate to provide further confidence in the uncertainty claims. These should normally include key comparisons needs identified by the appropriate consultative committee (CC) of The Conference Generale Des Poids Et Mesures (CIPM). A schedule for these comparisons shall be coordinated among potential participants;
- Training activities and workshops as needed, evaluating better ways to achieve the objectives;
- Internships and other educational opportunities both at the host laboratory or at the requesting laboratory; and
- Technical visits, including to support activities on-site;
- Research projects conducted by SIM members or other entities, having SIM members participation
- Awareness seminars planned in order to enhance the collaboration of different stakeholders.
- Other activities that the MWG finds relevant to achieve the objectives planned.
MWG 6 CHAIR
Elizabeth Ferreira (LATU Uruguay)
