Certification in India
The National Accreditation Board for Auditors and Training (NABAT) is the Indian national body for certifying auditors and training courses for auditors, and is a constituent of the Quality Council of India (QCI). Girdhar J Gyani, secretary general of the QCI and Vipin Sahni, deputy director of NABAT, discuss the objectives and activities of their organizations, and examine the future of the certification system in India
India was one of the top ten countries for growth in the number of ISO 9000 certifications in 2003. Its number of certifications grew from 5,554 at the end of 2001 to 8,110 at the end of 2002 - an increase of 2,556 (statistics taken from the ISO survey of ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 certificates, twelfth cycle).
The number of ISO 14001 certifications has also risen dramatically: with an increase of 205, there were 400 certifications at the end of 2001 and 605 at the end of 2002. Quality is a dynamic and constantly evolving industry in India; to meet the increasing need for strategic direction, the services of QCI were announced on 1 April 2000.
QCI is a non profit, autonomous body formed by the joint initiative of Indian Industry - which is represented by the three premier industry associations, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) - and the government of India. This long-needed national accreditation structure aimed to consider local requirements while formulating various schemes based on mutually-agreed international standards and guidelines.
The objectives of the QCI are to:
- establish an accreditation structure in the country
- provide correct and unbiased information on quality and related standards
- spread the quality movement in India
- facilitate the upgrade of equipment and techniques related to quality
- represent India's interest in international forums
- help establish brand equity of Indian products and services
Activities
- the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) offers accreditation to management system certification bodies in accordance with international standards ISO/IEC Guide 62 and 66 supported by the guidance of the IAF
- the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) offers accreditation to the laboratories in accordance with ISO 17025
- the National Accreditation Board for Auditors and Training (NABAT) offers certification to QMS and EMS auditors. It also offers certification to the training course providers who offer training courses for the QMS and EMS auditors, namely lead auditor training courses and internal auditor training courses
- the QCI also spreads awareness about the need of quality of the products and services in the industry and to consumers as part of the national quality campaign
- the QCI provides responses to the queries received about the implementation of quality and standards
NABCB is a member of the IAF and of the Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC). NABCB is also a signatory to the multilateral arrangement (MLA) of mutual recognition of the accreditations granted by the signatories of the MLA of IAF and PAC.
Similarly, NABL is a member of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and of Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC). NABL is also a signatory to the MLA of mutual recognition of the accreditations granted by the signatories of the MLA.
Certification
The objectives of NABAT are:
- to be equally accessible to all the applicants (auditor and training course) who wish to be certified
- to upgrade the criteria in line with international developments to foster improvements in the quality of certified auditors and training courses in India
- to be impartial in its decision on criteria and certification
- to seek international recognition of the certification scheme
- to be financially self-sufficient to conduct its business professionally
NABAT is guided by a board of 11 members which includes various stakeholders who ensure that all these objectives are met consistently. The chairman of the board is appointed by the chairman of the QCI, based on the proposals received from the members of the council in consultation with the governing body members of the QCI. The term of the board is two years and is renewable for another term of two years based on acceptance of the members.
The board formulates its policies in line with international standards and guides. It is responsible for all the decisions taken by the secretariat and the various other constituents, like the certification committee and appeals committee. NABAT is well supported by the certification committee which takes decisions regarding the granting, maintaining, extending, reducing, suspending and withdrawing of NABAT certification, based on the assessment and other reports presented to the committee by the secretariat. It also advises the board on the issues related to the certification of auditors and training courses. NABAT is also supported by a panel of experts, reviewing officers and assessors.
Failings of certification bodies
The effectiveness of a management system audit is the most widely discussed subject in the field of conformity assessment. It is even more aggressively debated when the auditor is certified with an auditor certification body. Some of the auditors who have been conducting audits as per ISO 9000:1994 have been missing the intent of the 2000 version.
Some of the factors which have contributed to the decrease in the quality of auditors and hence audits include: the quality of subcontracted courses and the poor exchange of information related to training course certification.
NABAT and IRCA have debated these issues and have been working on an agreement of mutual recognition. This agreement will ensure that there is regular exchange of information between the two organizations regarding the certified training courses in India by IRCA and NABAT. Wherever possible the two organizations will also work mutually to conduct certification and annual surveillance assessments.
About the authors
Mr Gyani has been at the forefront of the quality movement in India
in various capacities. Since November 2003 he has been the secretary
general of QCI. Previously, he led the Indian Institute of Quality
Management (IIQM), providing training and consultancy to a number
of organizations.
Mr Sahni is head of NABAT and is responsible for implementing the
policies of the board. He has been with the QCI for the last five
years. Prior to the current assignment he worked with a leading training
and consultancy organization in India.
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