The path to an approved quality project has been set out by the water industry and is currently being managed by the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA). WSAA is the peak body of the water industry in Australia and their members provide water services to some 13 million Australians. The water industry has changed in recent years and is continuing to change from the old conservative style of operation to a forward-looking and more innovative style. Competition by comparison now drives water agencies to greater efficiencies. This has caused a general move away from annual supply contracts and the 'in-house' work force. Water agencies are moving to more competitive contract supply of works that includes design, construction and operation of water industry infrastructure. Suppliers to the water industry are now more responsible than ever before their products and "Quality Systems" have become a compulsory part of their marketing agenda. To be an accepted supplier to the water industry in most parts of Australia "Quality Certification" is required. There are two levels of Quality Certification Quality Endorsed Company Product Certification A "Quality Endorsed Company" is certified to meet the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 9001 or 9002. A "Quality Endorsed Company" is usually evident in Australia by the "Quality System Standards Mark". A Licence to use this 'Mark' is issued by Quality Assurance Service (QAS), a business arm of Standards Australia. (QAS is one of the many accredited certification bodies). A "Quality Endorsed Company" certification only provides assurance that a quality management system is in place. The water industry requires quality products and assurance that those products conform to the nominated standards requirements. Product Certification ensures that products are manufactured under quality systems that are independently assessed and conform to Australian and other nominated standards. Product Certication adds to the status of a Quality Endorsed Company and is evident in Australia as "Certified Product Standards Mark". QAS also issue licenses to use the "Certified Product Standards Mark" and in most cases for the water industry "Product Certification"' is a prerequisite. Product Certification means the product or usually the range of products has been produced under a "Product Compliance Program", (PCP) that includes a quality regime using elements of AS/NZS ISO 9001. An important addendum to the Certified Product Standards Mark Licence is the "Product Licence Schedule". This schedule lists all the products in the given range of products that are included in the Licence. Products not listed on the Product LIcence Schedule do not have certification that they conform to the nominated standard. How To Identify Quality Products Acceptable To The Water Industry (stanspec.pdf Acrobat file 1.19 Meg) The complete 21 page datasheet is available in Adobe Acrobat format. If you have the Adobe Acrobat reader installed on your computer, simply click the link above to view the file. To download the Adobe Acrobat Reader and for more information on Adobe Acrobat, view our Acrobat Help Page. Links to Websites: