Non-destructive testing (NDT), or non-destructive testing (NDT) is an inspection procedure used to examine materials or components in order to detect defects without causing damage. These techniques are fundamental in various sectors, including engineering, aeronautics, and the metalworking and petroleum industries.
The certification of personnel performing NDT is vital. This process ensures that operators have the necessary skills to correctly perform NDT procedures and interpret the results.
Non-destructive testing, the 3 levels of certification:
The certification of NDT personnel can be obtained through different levels of training and assessment:
> Level I provides basic training on the principles of NDT and the use of technical specifications;
> Level II provides for more advanced training, the ability to interpret codes and standards and provide assistance and support to level I personnel, establish the outcome of the control carried out;
> Level III includes advanced skills, including the ability to establish and/or approve NDT procedures and techniques, interpret codes, standards and specifications, combined with sufficient practical knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes and other control methods, in addition to what it is certified for. A Level III certified officer is authorised to assume full responsibility for a testing laboratory or examination centre and its staff. He is authorized to issue, review and validate procedures in non-destructive testing, as well as to perform and supervise assignments at all levels. He is also able to provide training courses in the field of NDT for the methods in which he is certified.
The certification of NDT personnel not only guarantees the quality and reliability of controls, but also helps to prevent accidents, improve safety and reduce costs. A certified operator will be able to detect defects that might otherwise go unnoticed, preventing potential structural or mechanical failures.
Competence, standardisation and security
Certification provides assurance that staff possess the necessary skills to perform their assigned duties. This is especially important in technical and scientific fields, where an error can have significant consequences. The certification ensures that NDT professionals are properly trained and able to perform their tasks effectively and safely.
Such knowledge cannot be acquired only through theoretical training, but also requires significant practical experience. In addition, it must be constantly updated to keep up with the continuous evolution of new materials and increasingly sophisticated construction techniques and control tools.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
To find out more, you can contact our service contact person, Martina, at 375 7721252 or at the email segreteria.certificazione@crinspection.it
Regulatory compliance
We have deliberately left the regulatory aspects of personnel certification as the last factor precisely because the certification of personnel who perform non-destructive testing has much higher and more relevant benefits than simple regulatory compliance, as we have seen in this article.
However, it should be noted that in many sectors, personnel certification is required by law. For example, the PED Directive 2014/68/EU requires the certification of non-destructive testing personnel for category III and IV pressure equipment.
Certification ensures that companies comply with these regulations, avoiding potential legal penalties.
The Manufacturer or the employer who appoints certified personnel to perform non-destructive testing has also intrinsically fulfilled the need for an assessment of the technical and professional requirements in accordance with Article 26 of 81/08.
Certification of NDT personnel, the role of CR Inspection
CR Inspection is a certification body accredited by ACCREDIA, in accordance with the UNI EN ISO/IEC 17024 standard, for the certification of non-destructive testing personnel according to UNI EN ISO 9712:2022.
In addition, CR Inspection is a Third Party Recognized under the PED Directive 2014/68/EU for the certification of NDT personnel working on permanent joints of category III and IV pressure equipment (verification on the NANDO database of the European Community)
To find out more, contact Martina at 375 7721252 or email segreteria.certificazione@crinspection.it.