Common use of Technical Competence Clause in Contracts

Technical Competence. 1. The technical competence of a testing laboratory shall be demonstrated by means of accreditation, including in the following areas: (a) Technological knowledge of the relevant equipment, processes and services; (b) Understanding of the technical regulations and the general protection requirements for which designation is sought; (c) The knowledge relevant to the applicable technical regulations; (d) The practical capability to perform the relevant conformity assessment; (e) An adequate management of the conformity assessment concerned; and (f) Any other evidence necessary to give assurance that the conformity assessment will be adequately performed on a consistent basis. 2. To ensure consistency of the designation and accreditation processes, the relevant international standards and guides for conformity assessment shall be used in conjunction with the technical regulations of a Party to determine the technical competency of a testing laboratory. The following list of relevant ISO/IEC standards and guides shall be applied for the purpose of determining the technical competency of a testing laboratory: (a) ISO/IEC 17011:2004 – Conformity assessment - General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies; and (b) ISO/IEC 17025:2005 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.

Technical Competence. 1. The technical competence of a testing laboratory conformity assessment body shall be demonstrated by means of accreditation, including in with regard to the following areasfollowing: (a) Technological technological knowledge of the relevant equipment, processes and services; (b) Understanding understanding of the technical regulations and the general protection requirements for which designation is sought; (c) The knowledge relevant to the applicable technical regulations; (d) The practical capability to perform the relevant conformity assessmentassessment procedures; (e) An adequate management of the conformity assessment procedures concerned; and (f) Any any other evidence necessary to give assurance that the conformity assessment will procedures shall be adequately performed on a consistent basis. 2. To ensure consistency of the designation and accreditation processes, the relevant international standards and guides for conformity assessment shall be used in conjunction with the technical regulations of a Party to determine the technical competency of a testing laboratoryconformity assessment body. The following list of relevant ISO/IEC standards and guides shall be applied for the purpose of determining the technical competency of a testing laboratoryconformity assessment body: (a) ISO/IEC 17011:2004 – Conformity assessment - General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies; and; (b) ISO/IEC 17025:2005 17025:2004 – General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; and (c) ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996 – General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems.