ISO 9712:2021 ‘Non-destructive testing — Qualification and certification of NDT personnel’, replaces the previous version issued in 2012. NDT training facilities must take note of any differences and implement them into their courses accordingly.
The question many such facilities will be asking is: why change the standard? Who better to ask than the chair of the ISO/TC 135/SC 7 technical committee that wrote ISO 9712:2021, Darcy Corcoran, director at the QCCC (Quality Control Council of Canada) National Training Society.
“In 2017, ISO 9712 was due for its regular five-year systematic review,” he says. “During the systematic review ballot, comments were received that the committee had to consider. This began the process of a full technical review, which began in autumn 2017 ahead of final publishing in December 2021. We had participation from over 33 countries and started with over 400 comments to reshape the new edition.”
AT FIRST SIGHT
Among notable differences is the introduction of a reference to ISO 18490 ‘Non-destructive testing – Evaluation of vision acuity of NDT personnel’. The reference is an addition to the section dealing with vision requirements.
“ISO 18490 is also under the purview of the ISO/TC 135/SC7 committee, so it makes sense that ISO 9712 would reference it,” says Corcoran. “This standard was added as the committee wanted to include more detail to better suit the needs of the NDT community.”
A further major change to ISO 9712 includes more defined responsibilities for examiners and referees, and revised requirements for the duration of the training and industrial experience.
“Responsibilities were added for the certification bodies to provide them with clear guidance,” explains Corcoran. “An example is the use of non-certified individuals to be approved as a ‘referee’. This new term was added to help candidates attest to industrial experience, where candidates may be self-employed or do not have certified NDT personnel at their current workplace.”
Training requirements have changed from a time duration of hours, to days, with one day defined as ‘at least seven hours, which can be achieved on a single day or by accumulating hours’. Says Corcoran: “This was put forward as many training organisations were having issues with audits. For instance, a 40-hour course [when measured in hours] was not providing allowance for any breaks to the students in an eight-hour day. By converting into days, it provides for more flexibility and better reflects what is occurring during training.”
He continues: “The training requirements are always a minimum requirement and allow for more time if desired. For example, Ultrasonics Level 1 has seen an increase in training days from five to eight. It’s always been difficult to instruct this course within a five-day period, so students will benefit from this extension.”
The revised standard also features a more detailed reporting requirement at the five-year renewal period, where a new structured credit system is now in place. If it is not possible to meet the conditions with the new structured credit system, there will be an option of undertaking 50% of the recertification examination. Another change sees the structured credit system revised for Level 3 candidates at the 10-year recertification period.
Corcoran adds: “The revisions will make it more straightforward. For consistency, we changed many definitions to match more closely with other documents such as ISO/IEC 17024.”
Overall, Corcoran does not think there is a huge shift in what ‘qualified’ looks like: “Instead, it’s a good refresh to ensure the standard meets the current and future requirements for NDT qualification and certification in all countries using the document.”
IN TRAINING
Among those affected by the revisions to ISO 9712 is IMechE Argyll Ruane, a global provider of NDT training, coatings training, examinations and NDT Level 3 consultancy services (pictured).
“We offer a range of NDT training courses, accredited by key organisations and regulatory bodies in line with certification programmes such as the PCN scheme from the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing [BINDT],” states group technical manager Kristian Hampson. “This internationally recognised scheme is for the certification and qualification of NDT personnel, satisfying the requirements of ISO 9712.”
Courses delivered by IMechE Argyll Ruane cover a variety of methods, from visual inspection, magnetic particle inspection and ultrasonic testing, to phased array and time-of-flight diffraction, for Levels 1, 2 and Level 3.
“Learners must complete an NDT training course at an approved training organisation or approved examination centre, which encompasses theoretical and practical elements followed by examinations,” says Hampson. “The specified training hours and content covered is dependent on the NDT method and level, as per the PCN (personnel certification in non-destructive testing) documentation, to ensure it is ISO 9712-compliant. For example, a Level 2 magnetic particle testing course has a duration of five days: four days’ training plus a one-day exam.”
To become a fully certified PCN NDT technician, learners must also gain a sufficient amount of industry experience, which is dependent upon the NDT method and level the student is undertaking. For instance, methods like dye penetrant or magnetic particle testing at Level 2 require four months of industry experience, while more advanced methods such as ultrasonic and radiographic testing demand a minimum of 12 months.
Among the areas impacted by the changes to ISO 9712 is industrial training experience, where the revised standard now carries a definition in days, rather than months. The duration of one day is set out as at least seven hours, achievable on a single day or by accumulating hours (the maximum allowable hours in any one day is 12).
AWAITING UPDATES
The revised ISO standard is now available and, as things stand, training authorities such as IMechE Argyll Ruane are awaiting updates to the PCN scheme.
“It is the responsibility of the certification body, BINDT, to ensure the PCN scheme is in line with the changes published,” states Hampson. “It is working hard to review the standard and provide regular updates about the proposed changes at relevant committee meetings, in which we are actively participating. The modifications are due to be published by the end of June 2023.” It plans to apply the standards globally before January 2024.”
In the UK, IMechE Argyll Ruane has 16 full-time NDT consultants and trainers based at its facilities in Sheffield and Fife, who travel around the world to deliver PCN-approved courses.
“We’re already in the process of considering how we can accommodate certain changes to ensure our learners continue to have the best training experience with us as an output of discussions to date with BINDT,” says Hampson. “Demand is currently high from sectors such as oil and gas, nuclear, renewables and defence, which all require PCN-certified NDT technicians. Our clients are relying on us supporting them with the changes to ISO 9712, ensuring the process is as smooth as possible. We’ll also be looking at publishing a series of articles and a free webinar outlining the revisions to keep our clients informed.”