Quality Assurance: The Importance of IRAM-ISO-9712 Certification

What Is the IRAM-ISO 9712 Standard?

The IRAM-ISO 9712 standard is an internationally recognized standard that establishes the requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel performing Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). It does not certify companies, but rather the technical competence of individuals who execute, evaluate, and interpret inspection results.

Certification Levels

The standard establishes three competence levels:

• Level 1: Personnel certified as Level 1 are qualified to perform specific NDT operations according to written instructions and under the supervision of Level 2 or 3 personnel.
• Level 2: A Level 2 technician is qualified to set up and calibrate equipment, perform the test, and interpret and evaluate results with respect to applicable codes and standards. They can supervise and guide Level 1 personnel. Most field inspections require Level 2 personnel.
• Level 3: Level 3 is the highest level. This personnel is qualified to direct any NDT operation, establish and validate techniques and procedures, and interpret codes and standards. They are the organization's technical experts.

Why Is This Crucial for the Client?

Hiring a service whose personnel is certified under IRAM-ISO 9712 offers fundamental guarantees:

1. Result Reliability: Certification ensures that the technician has the theoretical knowledge and practical skill to perform the test correctly and, more importantly, to interpret the results accurately.
2. Standardization: It guarantees that inspection procedures adhere to proven and standardized methods, eliminating improvisation and ensuring consistency.
3. Compliance and Traceability: In many industries, the use of certified personnel is a contractual or regulatory requirement. It provides documented proof of the inspection team's competence.

Our Commitment

At Compañía Técnica, all our field personnel hold the IRAM-ISO 9712 certifications corresponding to the methods they apply. This investment in the qualification of our team is our main commitment to the quality and trust we offer each client.

How we apply this in the field

At Compañía Técnica this translates into concrete work: industrial ultrasonic testing and phased array, carried out with our own equipment, deployable anywhere in Argentina, and a report signed by a technical representative registered with the Energy Secretariat. The full catalogue of non-destructive testing sets out the scope of each one.

Sources and reference standards

• IRAM — IRAM-ISO 9712 standard for NDT personnel qualification
• American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) — international reference on NDT methods and qualification