QA-M-018 Quality Assurance Manual Nonconformances

Table of Contents

1. General
2. Identification of Nonconformances
3. Nonconformances in Company's Offices
4. Nonconformances at Suppliers
5. Nonconformances at Site
6. References

1. General

This section is to:

• provide direction for the identification, documentation, evaluation, segregation and disposition of nonconforming products
• prevent inadvertent use, fabrication, and/or installation of nonconforming products
• provide for the notification of nonconformances
• provide for the maintenance of nonconformance records.

Nonconformances are conditions that are adverse to quality. They may encompass any of the following:

• errors
• failures
• malfunctions
• deficiencies
• deviations
• defective material and equipment
• other adverse conditions.

2. Identification of Nonconformances

Nonconformances may be detected by means of:

• audits
• authority or client review
• witness of inspection and tests
• review of documents
• review of activities
• supplier reports
• others.

All personnel are authorized to draw attention to any suspected nonconformances.

Nonconforming products or documents shall be identified and if possible segregated from the production flow or installation process to prevent inadvertent use, shipment, or mixing with conforming products.

Further nonconformances may be assessed as a result of internal or external audits, verifications or inspections.

Decisions on the resolution of nonconforming products shall be subject to the approval of Company and/or client.

Inspection personnel identifying nonconformances shall ensure that they are clearly described in a Nonacceptance Note.

An item is regarded as nonconforming and consequently shall be reported, if a deviation from any of the following topics is detect­ed:

• deviations from Company/Project requirements
• deviations from Purchase Order (PO) requirements
• deviations from Construction requirements.

3. Nonconformances in Company's Offices

Nonconformances identified during an internal audit shall be recorded in the audit report with recommendation for resolution (see also section 22). Significant nonconformances shall be subject to a follow-up to verify the resolution.

Nonconformances identified outside of audits shall be reported by the detector to the responsible Manager(s) for resolution. Should this action not result in a satisfactory resolution then the detec­tor shall report the findings to the Manager of Quality Assurance. The latter shall verify the findings and, if appropriate, take further action to initiate the resolution.

4. Nonconformances at Suppliers

Deviations from Purchase Order (PO) requirements detected at suppliers by the Company inspector shall be reported on a Non­acceptance Note (see also section 15).

An "Abortive Inspection Report" shall be issued if minor, simply correctable, nonconformances, that are considered to be of a nonrepetitive character, are discovered by the inspector.

A copy of the report shall be forwarded to the supplier to detail the resolution of the deficiency.

Objective evidence shall be retained to substantiate that repaired and reworked items have been re-inspected or re-tested according to applicable procedures.

Deviations found during external audits by a Company Assessor(s) in suppliers' premises shall be reported in an External Audit Report.

5. Nonconformances at Site

If deviations are detected, during receiving inspection at the construction site, then an Over, Short and Damage (OS & D) report shall be issued by Company’s site personnel (see also section 15).

Nonconformances detected at site and that are within the total responsibility of the Construction Team shall be corrected by that team, except if the proposed correction repair or rework will/may adversely affect the guarantee or performance of the materials or equipment. In that case, the nonconformance procedure (ref.18.6.1) shall be implemented.

Deviations from Project requirements detected during a construction audit shall be reported in an audit report (see also section 22.0) with recommendations for resolution.

Significant nonconformances shall be subject to a follow-up to verify the resolution.

6. References