C-D-01-G:2017—Delegation of authorities guide

(revised )

Table of contents


Revisions table

This document will continue to be periodically reviewed by Measurement Canada to ensure its effectiveness with respect to its objectives. The following revisions are authorized by the President of Measurement Canada.

Revisions table
Date of revision or addition Language Section Nature of the revision or addition
English and French 3.3 Added a reference to the web page that includes the fees applicable to authorized service providers.

Previous revisions table

Introduction

This edition of C-D-01-G:2017 provides guidance for the application of C-D-01:2017. To facilitate cross-referencing to S-A-01:2017 and ISO 9001:2015, this document has the same clause structure as those standards.

The information contained in this supplementary document does not entail additional requirements. This document provides guidance, direction and clarification regarding the development, implementation and maintenance of quality management systems that are intended to satisfy the requirements contained in C-D-01:2017.

1 General

The purpose of this document is to give guidance to enable applicants and other users to have improved consistency, clarity and understanding when applying the requirements of C-D-01:2017. However, this guidance document does not add to, or otherwise change, the requirements of C-D-01:2017.

The level of auditing conducted by Measurement Canada to determine compliance with C-D-01 varies based on the types of organizations that apply. For example, Calibration Laboratory Assessment Service (CLAS)-certified organizations require less on-site auditing than other types of organizations.

1.1 Applicability

This document gives guidance to the following users:

  • applicants who want to implement the latest version of C-D-01; and
  • parties that need to assess the implementation of the delegation of authority program.

1.2 Scope of Measurement Canada's delegation of authority program

1.2.1 Calibration and certification of temperature, pressure and dimensional measuring apparatus used in the natural gas sector

All types of dimensional measuring apparatus that are used in the natural gas sector are included.

1.2.2 Calibration and recertification of electricity meter calibration consoles

No guidance provided.

1.2.3 Calibration and initial certification of electricity meter calibration consoles

Normally, this expansion of scope is granted only to authorized service providers who have been delegated recertification authority under C-D-01 for at least one year and where a full cycle of internal and external monitoring has occurred with no nonconformities related to C-D-01.

1.3 Eligibility

No guidance provided.

2 Definitions

No guidance provided.

3 Responsibilities

3.1 Measurement Canada

No guidance provided.

3.2 All organizations

No guidance provided.

3.3 Fees payable to Measurement Canada

Effective 2019, all fees are increased annually by the applicable Consumer Price Index determined by the Government of Canada.

Appendix 1 of this guide contains additional information relating to fees.

Quality management system requirements

4 Context of the organization

4.1 Understanding the organization and its context

No guidance provided.

4.2 Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties

No guidance provided.

4.3 Determining the scope of the quality management system

No guidance provided.

4.4 Quality management system and its processes

Where the term procedure is used, it is meant to include other mechanisms for describing activities or actions, such as processes, process flow charts, other diagrams, etc.

Determining full compliance with these requirements is a two-step process: documented information review and on-site auditing. Documented information submitted to Measurement Canada for review should demonstrate a commitment to meeting C-D-01:2017 requirements. Technical procedures should reference the forms that are completed in the process. Evidence of the effectiveness of the documented information in meeting the requirements is usually confirmed at the time of audit.

Organizations may structure their documented information in any fashion, as long as all requirements are adequately addressed.

C-D-01 does not require that the organization document and maintain two separate systems. An organization that has achieved accreditation to the requirements set out in S-A-01 or has been recognized as a CLAS-certified organization may enhance its current documented information and system to address only additional requirements.

A gap analysis could be helpful in the identification of areas that need to be addressed.

5 Leadership

5.1 Leadership and commitment

5.1.1 General

No guidance provided.

5.1.2 Customer focus

No guidance provided.

5.2 Policy

5.2.1 Establishing the quality policy

No guidance provided.

5.2.2 Communicating the quality policy

No guidance provided.

5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities

The management representative is responsible for liaising with Measurement Canada on matters relating to the delegation of authority program and the organization's quality management system.

6 Planning

6.1 Actions to address risks and opportunities

An organization should consider the risks if it or the measuring apparatus that it has calibrated and certified do not meet requirements.

6.2 Quality objectives and planning to achieve them

No guidance provided.

6.3 Planning of changes

For product realization, organizations need only address those areas specified in section 1.2 of the standard. That is, when addressing quality planning for calibration and certification purposes, all legal requirements must be implemented within the context of section 1.2, in order to obtain or maintain delegated authority.

Section 1.2 forms the auditing basis of the conditions in terms of processes that must be addressed by an organization planning to perform calibration and certification according to the Electricity and Gas Inspection Act.

7 Support

7.1 Resources

7.1.1 General

No guidance provided.

7.1.2 People

No guidance provided.

7.1.3 Infrastructure

No guidance provided.

7.1.4 Environment for the operation of processes

No guidance provided.

7.1.5 Monitoring and measuring resources

7.1.5.1 General

No guidance provided.

7.1.5.2 Measurement traceability

It is possible for an organization to certify its own measuring apparatus that it uses to conduct final inspections in accordance with S-A-01. In these instances, the organization is to consider how nonconforming calibration work performed has affected the validity of results for devices inspected using the measuring apparatus in question.

Organizations that apply to be delegated and/or have been delegated the authority to perform calibrations and certifications may, in some circumstances, be able to borrow certification equipment from the local Measurement Canada district office. The conditions under which the equipment may be borrowed is governed by bulletin GEN-37.

7.1.6 Organizational knowledge

No guidance provided.

7.2 Competence

No guidance provided.

7.3 Awareness

No guidance provided.

7.4 Communication

Organizations will not be required to establish documented information describing internal communication processes. The effectiveness of internal communications will be determined during the audit process.

7.5 Documented information

7.5.1 General

No guidance provided.

7.5.2 Creating and updating

No guidance provided.

7.5.3 Control of documented information

An organization is normally required to keep documented information (i.e. records) according to the applicable clauses of C-D-01. Certificates of calibration are to be maintained as required by section 7.5.3 of C-D-01.

8 Operation

8.1 Operational planning and control

No guidance provided.

8.2 Requirements for products and services

8.2.1 Customer communication

No guidance provided.

8.2.2 Determining the requirements for products and services

No guidance provided.

8.2.3 Review of the requirements for products and services

No guidance provided.

8.2.4 Changes to requirements for products and services

No guidance provided.

8.3 Design and development of products and services

No guidance provided.

8.4 Control of externally provided processes, products and services

8.4.1 General

No guidance provided.

8.4.2 Type and extent of control

No guidance provided.

8.4.3 Information for external providers

No guidance provided.

8.5 Production and service provision

8.5.1 Control of production and service provision

No guidance provided.

8.5.2 Identification and traceability

No guidance provided.

8.5.3 Property belonging to customers or external providers

No guidance provided.

8.5.4 Preservation

No guidance provided.

8.5.5 Post-delivery activities

No guidance provided.

8.5.6 Control of changes

No guidance provided.

8.6 Release of products or services

No guidance provided.

8.7 Control of nonconforming outputs

No guidance provided.

9 Performance evaluation

9.1 Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation

9.1.1 General

No guidance provided.

9.1.2 Customer satisfaction

No guidance provided.

9.1.3 Analysis and evaluation

No guidance provided.

9.2 Internal audit

The requirement states that auditors must not audit their own work. In circumstances where this cannot be achieved, such as in a small business, the organization must document the situation and propose a solution to Measurement Canada for assessment. The organization should expect to have to revise its documented internal audit information. Advice and guidance from relevant ISO documentation should be considered when developing a solution.

The objective is to ensure that the auditors conducting the internal audit are competent and as independent of the work or processes being audited as possible. The organization should demonstrate how the auditor will achieve objectivity and impartiality during the internal audit to ensure that there will not be any actual or potential conflict of interest.

The solution will be considered effective if Measurement Canada does not find any audit evidence contrary to the internal audit.

9.3 Management review

9.3.1 General

No guidance provided.

9.3.2 Management review inputs

Organizations will not be required to establish and document procedures describing the management review input process. The effectiveness of the management review will be determined during the audit process. With the exception of customer satisfaction, Measurement Canada auditors will expect to see all review inputs addressed during the management review process.

9.3.3 Management review outputs

Organizations will not be required to establish procedures describing the management review output process. Measurement Canada auditors will expect to see all review outputs addressed during the management review process; however, they will not expect improvements to products that exceed Measurement Canada legal requirements.

10 Improvement

10.1 General

No guidance provided.

10.2 Nonconformity and corrective action

No guidance provided.

10.3 Continual improvement

No guidance provided.

11 Additional conditions for the delegation of the authority to calibrate and certify electricity meter calibration consoles

11.1 Purpose

No guidance provided.

11.2 Scope

No guidance provided.

11.3 Definitions

No guidance provided.

11.4 Quality management system conditions

See guidance in 4.4 of this document.

11.5 Technical conditions

No guidance provided.

11.6 Monitoring and measuring equipment conditions

No guidance provided.

11.7 Training and evaluation of personnel conditions

Measurement Canada will issue a document indicating the person's participation in the training session, which will form part of the organization's documented information (i.e. records). This document should include the date, subject matter covered, etc., and will be issued by the person delivering the training.

The purpose of the assessment of technicians is to determine their level of competence.

After an organization has been delegated authority, it may add trained technicians to its delegation program. Any additional trained technicians will need to be evaluated by Measurement Canada at the earliest possible time, such as the next surveillance audit. After the initial successful evaluation, each trained technician is to be reassessed at least once every three years.

11.8 Recertification and initial certification policies

11.8.1 Recertification policies

No guidance provided.

11.8.2 Initial certification policies

Evaluation criteria are established in the document entitled EL-ENG-11-01—Initial Certification of Calibration Consoles by Organizations Delegated by Measurement Canada.

11.9 Modifications to electricity meter calibration consoles

No guidance provided.

11.10 Monitoring of organizations

No guidance provided.

11.11 Certificate content and issuance

No guidance provided.

11.12 Modifications of certificates

No guidance provided.

11.13 Certification of electricity meter calibration consoles owned by other accredited organizations

No guidance provided.

12 Additional Conditions for the delegation of the authority to calibrate and certify pressure, temperature and dimensional measuring apparatus

12.1 Purpose

No guidance provided.

12.2 Scope

No guidance provided.

12.3 Delegation mechanism

No guidance provided.

12.4 Quality management system conditions

See guidance in 4.4 of this document.

12.4.1 Management review

No guidance provided.

12.4.2 Documented information of calibration services provided

No guidance provided.

12.4.3 Control of nonconforming calibration work

In the implementation of this requirement, the organization should consider how it will handle nonconforming calibration work.

In defining this aspect of the program, consideration should be given to the different processes through which nonconforming work can be identified, such as the review of calibration certificates, internal audits, routine working standard checks and interlaboratory comparisons.

Organizations should also consider the process for assessing the validity of previous device inspection results when a measuring apparatus is found to be out of calibration.

12.5 Technical conditions

Measurement Canada will evaluate technical aspects of this document by means of recommended practices. These documents are available to organizations that qualify and have applied for this program.

12.5.1 Traceability

No guidance provided.

12.5.2 Calibration and certification periods

No guidance provided.

12.5.3 Environmental conditions

No guidance provided.

12.5.4 Calibration methodology

No guidance provided.

12.5.5 Validation of calibration methodology

No guidance provided.

12.5.6 Estimation of measurement uncertainty

No guidance provided.

12.5.7 Monitoring and measuring equipment

Monitoring activities will be conducted or authorized to be conducted by Measurement Canada. This work is to be conducted at least once every four years.

12.6 Calibration certificates

The following is a sample traceability statement for measuring apparatus:

I, the undersigned hereby certify that the measuring apparatus identified below has been calibrated in the manner prescribed by section 7 of the Electricity and Gas Inspection Regulations, and is accurate within the tolerances prescribed by section 8 of the said regulations.

12.7 Conditions for CLAS-certified organizations

No guidance provided.

13 Delegation of authority process

13.1 General

No guidance provided.

13.1.1 Application for delegation of authority

No guidance provided.

13.2 Evaluation of applicant's documented information

No guidance provided.

13.3 Delegation of authority audit

No guidance provided.

13.4 Delegation of authority by the President

Commemorative documents are not produced or issued to applicants that have been granted delegation of authority.

13.5 Maintenance of delegated authority

No guidance provided.

13.6 Suspension of delegated authority

No guidance provided.

13.7 Revocation of delegated authority

No guidance provided.

13.8 Expansions of scope and revisions

13.8.1 Expansions of scope

No guidance provided.

13.8.2 Minor revisions requiring Measurement Canada regional acceptance

No guidance provided.

13.8.3 Minor revisions requiring notification

No guidance provided.

13.9 Expansions of scope / outstanding nonconformities

No guidance provided.

13.10 Changes to delegated organizations

It is important that authorized service providers notify Measurement Canada early on of any ownership or other structural change being planned, so that a smooth and seamless transition can be planned for the continued recognition by Measurement Canada.

Appendix 1—Examples of Fees Payable to Measurement Canada

The examples below include the fees that applied prior to July 1, 2019.

Example 1

Organization seeking delegated authority, initial audit for a calibration/certification conducted in January 2017:

Fee payable = audit fee: $1,000.

Example 2

Organization seeking delegated authority, initial audit for a calibration/certification combined with S-A-01 surveillance audit:

Fee payable = initial audit for calibration/certification: $1,000, surveillance audit: $1,000

Total fees = $2,000

Example 3

Maintenance fees:

Surveillance audit for calibration/certification, January 2017, combined S-A-01 surveillance audit.

Total fee payable for year 2017 = audit fee: $1,500