Transcript Director`s presentation, Kyriacos Tsimillis

2002-2012
The first ten years of the operation
of the Cyprus Accreditation Body
,
Dr Kyriacos Tsimillis
Director
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The road of Quality in Cyprus
1975: Establishment of the Cyprus Organization for
Standards and Control of Quality (CYS) – Law 68/75
1980: Promotion of Product Certification
1992: Introduction of Quality Management System
Cerification (ISO 9000)
1995: Introduction of Accreditation
2002: Preparation of a new legislative framework –
Law Ν.156(Ι) (CYS-CYSAB) – Transfer of certification
activities to the Cyprus Certification Company
2005: Transfer of standardization activities to the Cyprus
Standardization Organization
2011: CYS-CYSAB becomes an EA MLA signatory
201Χ: Change to an autonomous status
Reliability, Confidence and Competence
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CYS-CYSAB is…
 the National Accreditation Body
 the organization for the Promotion of Quality
 the competent authority for the inspection and
verification of the Good Laboratory Practice
 the competent authority for the Technical
Notification
 The competent authority for the assessment of
bodies applying to become notified (New Approach
Directives).
As from February 2011, accreditation is a
prerequisite for notification.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Today’s event
gives the opportunity for a brief review of the
main activities of CYS-CYSAB during its first
decade, after the implementation of the
Accreditation Law (2002).
Some illustrative help comes from the photos in
the exhibition at the back of this room.
The decade starts in 2002 with the then new Law;
however, some important activities had already
started since 1995.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The first significant step…
was the implementation of a programme co-funded by the
European Commission and the Government of the Republic
of Cyprus for establishment of the infrastructure for
 the National Accreditation System, implemented by
DANAK (October 2003 – March 2004)
 the harmoniozation with the New Approach Directives,
implemented by EOTC (Οctober 2003-June 2004).
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
With regard to Accreditation…
a lot of activities were carried out in a rather short
period, namely
 training fοr assessors (for laboratories and
inspection/certification bodies) in Cyprus
 practical training of five assessors attending (as
observers) assessments by DANAK in Denmark.
Much more time was then required to complete the
System, as it was gradually implemented and matured.
An endless procedure!
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
In the second part
of the Programme, also managed by CYS-CYSAB,
25 experts from the whole of the European Union,
implemented a big number of activities i.e. training and
awareness, publications etc. They cooperated with all
ministries and all competent authorities for each individual
New Approach Directives.
Very important for both CYS-CYSAB and through it for the
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism in general.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
An Accreditation Body..
Is evaluated by
ΕΑ**, ΙLAC and IAF***
according to Standards*
Is working according
to Standards*
CABs under
assessment comply
with Standards*
Assesses CABs
according to
Standards*
* european/international
** European cooperation for Accreditation
*** International Accreditation Organizations
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Great emphasis was given…
to the training and continuous education of assessors with
the support of organizations from abroad (EA, ESYD,
DANAK, BIPM, HellasLab, Eurachem, Eurolab and others).
The objectives were
 to cover new subjects/fields
 to maintain and widen the technical competence
 to interact on specific technical issues
 to follow developments with regard to the issue of new
standards and revision of others i.e. ΙS0 17025,
ISO 15189, EN 45011, EN 45004, EN 45012, ISO 17011,
ISO 17020, ISO 17021, ISO 17024, ISO 17043.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
CYS-CYSAB uses external partners
as Technical Assessors. Considering the difficulties of a
small market, especially during the first phase of
accreditation services being offered, an MoU was signed
with ESYD in June 2005. Emphasis was also given to the
involvement of experienced Cypriots as Tecnhical
Assessors. They were working mainly in accredited
laboratories in the public sector as well as in Universities.
Two more MoUs were signed with
 The Department of Chemistry, University of Cyprus
(November 2009)
 The State General Laboratory (June 2010).
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Τhe cooperation with IRMM
started in 2002 and involved
 training programmes
 participation of laboratories in PT schemes
 post-graduate studies for new personnel.
Further to this, CYS-CYSAB participated in
TrainMiC and AcadeMiC with very favourable
results.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Euromed Quality Programme
was implemented within the Euro-Mediterranean
cooperation for 5 years (2004-2008). Among the 12
beneficiary countries, Cyprus and Malta had already the
experience of the pre-accession period and they could
more efficiently interact with colleagues from other
countries. More than 150 scientists form both the public
and private sectors of Cyprus participated in the training
and other activities of the Progarmme.
CYS-CYSAB was the national coordinator.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The route towards the european
and the international accreditation
 CYS-CYSAB becomes Full Member of EA (Νοvember 2004)
 CYS-CYSAB becomes Αffiliate Member of ILAC and after
the first accreditation certificate was granted (June
2006)  Associate
 Pre-evaluation by EA (Μarch 2009)
 Initial assessment by EA (Μay 2011)
 CYS-CYSAB is accepted as an EΑ MLA signatory (Οctober)
and signs EA MLA (Testing, Inspection) in Νοvember 2011
 CYS-CYSAB become an ΙLAC MRA signatory (Testing
and Inspection) in Οctober 2011
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The participation in the
international activities…
includes many other aspects, further to agreements,
namely
 active participation in meetings (General Assemblies
and committees)
 active involvement in voting, submission of comments
etc.)
 follow new documents and comply with them
 Participation in the peer evaluation system of EA.
The involvement of CYS-CYSAB in this procedure has
been upgraded after ΕΑ ΜLA
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Emphasis was given to…
 the widening of the participation in EA committees
 the representation of CYS-CYSAB by younger colleagues
 the consultation with the accreditation bodies of other
small countries and the coordination with them to
underline specific problems they face in the light of
some developments and new requirements. A couple of
such examples were met during the discussion of both
EA and ILAC documents and the Regulation (EC)
no.765/2008.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
CYS-CYSAB represents Cyprus
in all european fora within its responsibilities including
Standardization issues (at the State level), Technical
Notification and New Approach Directives (SOGS). With
regard to Accreditation in particular, it participates in
the General Assembly and the basic committees of the
European cooperation for Accreditation (EA) as well as
the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation
(ILAC).
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The General Assembly of EA
was hosted in Nicosia,
in Νοvember 2007.
It was an honour for
20-21 November 2007
CYS-CYSAB to
organise this very
and
important event on
WORKSHOP “What is accreditable?”
th
the 10 Anniversary
21 November 2007
of EA.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
This year, on the 10th Anniversary…
of CYS-CYSAB, we are
proud to host during
the next few days in
Nicosia the autumn
meeting of the EA
Multilateral
Agreement Council.
EA MAC meeting
Nicosia, Cyprus
26-27 September 2012
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Αpplications and certificates
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Income from accreditation services
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Accreditation certificates (31 Dec 2011)
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Accreditation certificates (by activity)
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CYS-CYSAB has constantly…
efficient communication with the competent authorities for
legislative issues and the use of accreditation for the
implementation of the law as well as public procurement.
Cooperation is also established for many years with
CyprusLab, Eurachem-Cyprus and other scientific
associations. CYS-CYSAB promptly responded to invitations
and participated in seminars and other awareness events.
CYS-CYSAB has organised a big number of training and
awareness events on various occasions, including the
International Accreditation Day, the Accreditation Week etc.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Leaflets in GR, TR and EN
www.cys.mcit.gov.cy
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
MoUs on accreditation…
have been signed with neighbouring countries.
This underlines the perspectives of regional
cooperation on quality issues.
In each case, CYS-CYSAB is fully committed to
the provisions of the cross-border accreditation.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
During the whole procedure…
we presented the characteristics of a living institution
which documents in practice the ability not only to
identify problems but also takes corrective and preventive
actions. There have been
 some complaints for delays
 decisions for suspension or withdrawal of certificates
 decisions for extension or reduction of scope of
accreditation
 reassessment CABs after the first 4-year cycle was
completed.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
How is accreditation transferred?
Soon after CYS-CYSAB became an ΕΑ MLA signatory, CABs
which had been earlier accredited by other accreditation
bodies, started to transfer their accreditation status to
CYS-CYSAB. The framework for this is as follows:
 CYS-CYSAB recognises the accreditation certificate
granted by another EA MLA signatory
 It undertakes to continue the procedure with
surveillance visits or reassessments as appropriate
 It asks for the documentation for the last two visits by
the foreign accreditation body including all findings
and relevant corrective actions by the applicant.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Throughout the whole procedure…
there are a number of challenging aspects:
 new topics
 new challenges
 new efforts
 extended working hours
 Cooperation and interaction with younger/new
colleagues, both in CYS-CYSAB and the accredited/
under accreditation bodies.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Some time ago,
a new colleague, referred to CYS-CYSAB as something
quite different from what a public service looks like:
“it looks like an academic institution”, he said.
As he explained later, this was the main reason he joined
CYS-CYSAB.
Nowadays, he is a qualified Lead Assessor.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
The accession to EA MLA
represents a success for CYS-CYSAB. However, this
development (referring to testing and inspection) does
not automatically ensure that an accreditation body
remains an MLA signatory!
The re-evaluation of CYS-CYSAB will be carried out in
2013 in correlation with the evaluation of an extension
to calibration as well.
Ensuring the sustainability in the efficient operation of
CYS-CYSAB represents a task for development of high
priority.
It is a responsibility of the State to ensure adequate
resources.
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For the steps to follow…
the main pillars are the following:
 Full compliance with the specified requirements and
other commitments [ISO 17011, Regulation (EC) no.
765/2008, documents of EA, ILAC, IAF]
 Continuous training of the assessors ensuring their
continuity
 Widening of the scopes of the ΕΑ MLA.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
An autonomous status: A step ahead?
In order to ensure that CYS-CYSAB has the
necessary flexibility and adequate human and
economic resources, a new status with sufficient
autonomy is currently under consideration as a
step ahead.
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Having completed the first decade
of its operation, the Cyprus Accreditation Body is
committed to carry on with reliability, efficiency
and competence, continuity and sustainability
towards the second decade!
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence
Thank you
for your attention!
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Reliability, Confidence and Competence