RPF Laboratory Accreditation/Verification Task Group Feedback from meetings of 12 April 2002

RPF Resolution That inter-laboratory testing be conducted on an ongoing basis under the guidance of a task group to be convened by the Asphalt Academy

Task Group Members NameOrganisationSector Les Sampson AsAcAsphalt/Bitumen Rob Damhuis SANRAL Road Agency/MTC Barry Dumas PAWCProvinces/MTC Rod Raw C & CI Cement & Concrete Monica Childs-Hurn SANAS Accreditation Authority Uli Kaempffer SAACEL Private sector laboratories Mike Vlok TransportekTransportek/MTC Russell Clayton Nineham Shands Consultants

Role of Task Group To coordinate the accreditation, verification and proficiency activities of materials testing laboratories with the ultimate aim of improving confidence levels in test results emanating from the laboratories To coordinate the accreditation, verification and proficiency activities of materials testing laboratories with the ultimate aim of improving confidence levels in test results emanating from the laboratories

SANAS Responsible for managing the accreditation process Responsible for managing the accreditation process Specialised Technical Committee (STC) for Civil Engineering Laboratories established Specialised Technical Committee (STC) for Civil Engineering Laboratories established Problems in the road sector: Problems in the road sector: Upgraded test methods not yet available Upgraded test methods not yet available No direct linkage to road sector for technical input and assessors No direct linkage to road sector for technical input and assessors Accreditation of site labs especially those not linked to permanent labs Accreditation of site labs especially those not linked to permanent labs Feedback of activities at next RPF Feedback of activities at next RPF

Actions from the meeting Finalise the upgrading of the test method for roads (mainly TMH 1) Finalise the upgrading of the test method for roads (mainly TMH 1) SAACEL to provide comments on test method before end of April SAACEL to provide comments on test method before end of April Validation of test methods – B Dumas to report to next meeting Validation of test methods – B Dumas to report to next meeting Set up proficiency scheme driven by the Task Group Set up proficiency scheme driven by the Task Group Identify ways of ensuring test equipment/apparatus is consistent and correctly calibrated Identify ways of ensuring test equipment/apparatus is consistent and correctly calibrated

Proficiency Scheme Actions Establish a sub-committee to investigate appropriate proficiency schemes; Establish a sub-committee to investigate appropriate proficiency schemes; Create a prioritisation framework for test methods required to undergo proficiency testing; Create a prioritisation framework for test methods required to undergo proficiency testing; Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing; Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing; Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for the road sector; Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for the road sector; Identify potential service providers to manage the scheme; Identify potential service providers to manage the scheme; Identify and motivate funding to implement the scheme Identify and motivate funding to implement the scheme

Feedback from the Materials Testing Committee meeting of 23 April 2002