The
Hong Kong Inspection Body Accreditation Scheme (HKIAS) is operated by
the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS). HKAS also operates the Hong
Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) and the Hong Kong Certification
Body Accreditation Scheme (HKCAS). HKIAS started to accept applications
from 15 December 1999. Initially, it only provided accreditation for
consumer product inspection. The products covered include toys and children's
products, textiles, garments, electrical and electronic products, giftware,
medical and health products, furniture, cookware and tableware and other
consumer products. From 1 April 2002, accreditation
service is extended to inspection of construction products and inspection
of welds. To enhance the creditability
of the inspecion bodies of the "Indoor Air Quality Certification
Scheme" which is administered by Environmental Protection Department
of the Hong Kong SAR Government, HKIAS further extended its accreditation
service to cover indoor air quality inspection from 20 July 2006.
Accredited inspection bodies may issue inspection reports and certificates
bearing the HKIAS accreditation mark according to the HKIAS regulations.
To lodge an application, the applicant inspection body should complete the application form, HKIAS 005 and the assessment questionnaire, HKIAS 007. The completed forms and all necessary documents should be returned to the HKAS Executive together with a cheque for the application fee. The applicant inspection body should specify clearly the scope of accreditation sought in HKIAS 007. The forms, accreditation criteria documents and the fee schedule is available from the HKAS Secretariat or through this link : HKAS Publications/Forms
After receiving a complete application, a HKAS accreditation officer will conduct an advisory visit to the applicant inspection body's office. During the visit, the officer will explain the HKIAS requirements and evaluate whether the inspection body is ready for the assessment. A team comprising HKAS officers and technical assessors will carry out the formal assessment. The team members and the timing of the visits are to be agreed with the applicant inspection body. The assessment programme will include visiting the office of the inspection body and witnessing sufficient number of on-site inspections. Accreditation will be granted when the inspection body has completed satisfactory corrective actions against any non-conformity found during the assessment. Accredited inspection bodies are subject to annual or half-yearly surveillance visits and two-yearly reassessments.
The general accreditation requirements are stated in two booklets. HKAS 002 contains the regulations. They govern the operation of HKIAS and the duties and benefits of accredited inspection bodies. HKIAS 003 spells out the technical and administrative criteria. Specific requirements for consumer product inspection are given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 1. It covers the requirements for approved inspectors, approved signatories and other requirements specific to consumer product inspection. Specific requirements for construction products inspections are given in HKIAS Supplementary Criteria No. 2 on general construction products and Supplementary Criteria No. 3 on welding inspection. Specific requirements for indoor air quality inspection is given in HKIAS Supplemetary Criteria No. 4.
Inspection bodies interested in obtaining accreditations for consumer products inspection may contact HKAS Senior Accreditation Officer, Mr. K W Chen and for construction products, welding and indoor air quality inspections may contact HKAS Senior Accreditation Officer, Mr. C K Cheung , for further information.
