1 of 6 level: 6 credit: 13 planned review date: December 2006 sub-field: purpose: entry information: accreditation option: moderation option: Public Sector Services People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain the accreditation system operated under the weights and measures ; carry out a quality management system audit; prepare to carry out a compliance audit; carry out a compliance audit of the client s accreditation scheme; follow health and safety procedures during a compliance audit; and prepare a letter of accreditation. Prerequisites: Unit 20359, Demonstrate knowledge of and inspect weighing and measuring instruments, weights and measures or demonstrate equivalent knowledge and skills. Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry. A centrally established and directed national moderation system has been set up by The Skills Organisation. special notes: 1 This unit standard is intended for people who are employed in the New Zealand public sector in the role of Inspector of Weights and Measures. The content is based on the Weights and Measures Act 1987 and the Weights and Measures Regulations 1999 and their subsequent amendments and on the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service procedure manuals (restricted to Ministry of Consumer Affairs).
2 of 6 2 Definitions Accredited person may be a natural person or a legal entity accredited under the Weights and Measures Act 1987 to carry out the verification and inspection of weighing and measuring equipment. Organisation in the context of this unit standard is the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service. Organisational requirements in the context of this unit standard includes policy and procedures of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Measurement and Product Safety Service. Public Sector covers all publicly owned organisations which are connected to the institution of New Zealand government, both central and local, and which include public service, crown entities, non-uniformed staffs of the services and forces, offices of Parliament, and local authorities. Public Service is part of the State sector, and consists of all the ministries and departments of state which carry out core government business which are listed in the First Schedule of the State Sector Act 1988. State Sector applies to all national institutions of central government. Quality Management System in the context of this unit standard means a system of operation for exercising or performing the powers, functions, and duties of an accredited person. Auditee is the organisation, or part thereof, that is being audited. Client is the person or organisation requesting the audit. The client can also be the auditee. Systems Audit an audit to establish if a client has a documented quality management system complying with the requirements of the Weights and Measures Act 1987. Compliance audit an audit to establish that the quality management system is implemented as stated in the quality management system document.
3 of 6 Elements and Performance Criteria element 1 Explain the accreditation system operated under the weights and measures. 1.1 Key components of the accreditation system for the verification and certification of weighing and measuring instruments are identified and explained. 1.2 Key elements of a weights and measures quality system audit are explained. 1.3 Key elements of a compliance audit are explained. element 2 Carryout a quality management system audit. 2.1 The quality management system is checked for compliance with weights and measures in accordance with organisational requirements. 2.2 Quality management procedures are checked to ensure certification work will meet the requirements of the weights and measures. 2.3 Non-compliance is identified and client advised. 2.4 Audit report and documentation is completed in accordance with organisational requirements. quick checklist, checksheets, corrective action requests, audit costs record, accreditation fees docket, audit report. 2.5 Communication with the client ensures that all parties are kept informed of the progress of the audit.
4 of 6 element 3 Prepare to carry out a compliance audit. 3.1 An audit plan that matches the requirements of the weights and measures audit are established. may include but is not limited to timelines, resources, safety equipment, scope, personnel. 3.2 Working papers and other materials are assembled to enable collection of the required evidence. examples of working papers are checklists, quality standards, organisation charts, previous audit reports, quality management system documentation. 3.3 Audit objectives, audit process and availability of resources is confirmed with the client. element 4 Carry out a compliance audit of the client s accreditation scheme. 4.1 Evidence is collected to show that the quality system and procedures are incorporated into the clients operating procedures. 4.2 Comparison of observations against auditee s plans and procedures, and against the quality standards enable compliance or non-compliance to be determined. 4.3 Audit observations are recorded on compliance audit checksheet in sufficient detail to ensure subsequent analysis can be carried out to determine compliance or non-compliance with the weights and measures. 4.4 Any non-compliance is identified and its impact on the integrity of the quality system assessed.
5 of 6 4.5 Management of contingencies ensures the integrity of the audit is not compromised. examples of contingencies are dangerous and critical situations, incapacity of auditor to continue, significant failure of auditee s systems and/or equipment. 4.6 Client is advised of the result of the audit. may include but is not limited to exit interview, audit report. element 5 Follow health and safety procedures during a compliance audit. 5.1 All health and safety procedures are followed when working on a client s premises in accordance with organisational requirements. 5.2 The safety of persons present during the compliance audit is protected in accordance with organisational requirements 5.3 Respect for client property is shown at all times during the compliance audit. includes but is not limited to equipment, product, documents, personal effects. 5.4 Safety protective aids are used during the compliance audit in accordance with workplace and organisational requirements. includes but is not limited to protective clothing, safety footwear, safety helmet, eye and ear protectors, reflective jacket. 5.5 Items of potential danger are dealt with in accordance with organisational requirements. includes but is not limited to operating machinery, fork lifts, vehicles, cranes, dangerous goods.
6 of 6 element 6 Prepare a letter of accreditation. 6.1 Evidence collected during the audit is analysed to prove compliance with the Weights and Measures Act 1987. 6.2 File is checked to ensure all corrective action requests have been actioned. 6.3 All documentation relating to the application is completed. application request, system audit report, compliance audit report. 6.4 The letter of accreditation is produced in accordance with legal requirements and organisational requirements. Comments on this unit standard Please contact The Skills Organisation info@skills.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard. Please Note Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority or a delegated interinstitutional body before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for providers wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements. This unit standard is covered by AMAP 0121 which can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/site/framework/search.html.