QUEENSLAND
GAS ASSOCIATION (Inc.)
CERTIFICATION
RULES
Ver 1.10 Date :07/05
Certification Rules - The QGA Product Certification Schemes-
Full certification Approval, Individual Certification Approval.
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Table of Contents |
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1. Purpose |
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6. Post
Certification |
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2. Undertaking |
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7. Field
Safety Issues |
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3. Scope |
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8. Certification
Status |
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4. Definitions |
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9. General
Issues |
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5. The
Certification Process |
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10. Appendices |
1. PURPOSE
The
primary purpose of the Queensland Gas Association Inc. Certification Scheme(s)
is to provide assurance of an acceptable level of public safety with respect
to the design and manufacture of domestic and commercial gas appliances
designed for use with Gas. |
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2. UNDERTAKING
The
Applicant undertakes to comply with the Certification Rules of the Queensland
Gas Association Inc. and understands and accepts that QGA certification
is conditional upon such an undertaking. The Applicant also undertakes
to comply with any changes to the Certification Rules and understands
and accepts that continued certification is conditional upon such an undertaking. |
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3. SCOPE
The
Queensland Gas Association Inc. Certification Schemes for Full Certification
and Individual Gas Appliance Certification are applicable to domestic
and commercial gas appliances. The Schemes relate to the Essential Requirements
agreed to by the Australian Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC)
and apply to any manufactured appliances using natural gas or LP gas as
a fuel, including second-hand or refurbished appliances.
The following categories of Products fall within the Scope of the Scheme(s):
(a) Domestic gas-appliances including camping and leisure appliances such
as domestic barbecues.
(b) Commercial gas-appliances. |
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4. DEFINITIONS
Application means
a written request, made by the Applicant to the QGA under these Certification
Rules, seeking a Certificate in respect of the Technical Design of a Sample
Product and seeking approval to affix the QGA Badge to the product.It
also applies to an application submitted to an Approved Person under Regulation
81 of the Gas (Residual Provisions) Regulation 1989 for that
person or body to undertake an Individual Certification.
Approved
Person is a person or body approved to approve gas appliances
under Regulation 81 of the Queensland Gas (Residual Provisions) Regulation
1989.
Association unless
otherwise stated means the Queensland Gas Association (Inc.).
Audit means
verification of ongoing compliance with the Certification Rules of QGA.
Authorised
Bodies means such bodies other than an Authorised Laboratory
authorized by the Australian Gas Association or the Chief Gas Examiner
to conduct one or more tests and/or assessments in a Test Program.
Authorised
Laboratory means a laboratory that has been authorised by the Australian
Gas Association or the Chief Gas Examiner to conduct tests and/or assessments
on gas appliances and gas components.
Certified
Design means the Technical Design of a Sample Product which
has been certified by the QGA and for which a Certificate has been issued
by the QGA.
Certificate means a certificate issued by the QGA to the Applicant
accepting the applicant’s assurance that that the Technical Design of
the Sample Product complies with the requirements of the Association and
following relevant tests against those requirements.
Essential
Requirements are the Essential Requirements agreed to by the
Gas Technical Regulators Committee (GTRC) and published in December 2001.
Full
Scheme means the Full Appliance Certification Scheme under which
a Sample Product is assessed against the Essential Requirements by an
Authorised Laboratory or Authorised Body.
QGA means the Queensland Gas Association (Inc.)
Certification
Scheme means the Full Certification Scheme and the Individual
Gas Appliance Certification Scheme (as amended from time to time) operated
by the QGA and against either one of which the QGA assesses an Application.
Applicant includes the person, whether an individual, business name, body
corporate or other legal entity, whose name appears in the Application
as the person seeking to be issued with a Certificate and/or affix the
Maker’s Warranty Badge.In relation to post-certification issues includes
any person, whether an individual, business name, body corporate or other
legal entity whose name appears on any Certificate at any time.Note that
a Certificate is only issued under the Full Compliance Scheme.
Gas means
Natural Gas or LP Gas as defined in Queensland legislation.
Individual
Scheme means the Individual Gas Appliance Certification Scheme
whereby an individual appliance is assessed against the Essential Requirements
by an Approved person.
Information means any technical information not publicly available
provided by the Applicant to the QGA.
Maker’s
Warranty Badge means a self-adhesive badge the design of which
is owned by the QGA and by which the Applicant warrants by affixing same
to an appliance that the appliance meets the requirements of the Association.
Non-Conformance means
non-conformance of a Sample Product or a Production Unit with the Essential
requirements.
Product includes
a Type A gas appliance or a component designed for use with Gas.
Production
Unit means a Product that has been manufactured in conformity
with the Certified design which is to be offered for sale or otherwise
used in a domestic or commercial situation.
Certification
Rules >means these Certification Rules as amended by the QGA
from time to time and by which the QGA and the Applicant agree to be bound.
Sample
Product means a sample of a Product that the Applicant has provided
to the QGA and upon the Technical Design of which, or upon an amended
Technical Design of which, a Certificate may be issued.
For
the purposes of this Definition:
“Sample
Product”, is a manufactured sample of the product including all
relevant documentation which the manufacturer certifies is fully compliant
with the Essential requirements.
Standards
and/or Codes means the national and international standards and/or
codes against which the Technical Design of a Sample Product is assessed
and which may be used to verify the Technical Design against the Essential
Requirements.
Technical
Design means an engineering description of a Sample Product
and includes the physical configuration and structure, including dimensional
relationships, electrical and electronic hardware and software, materials
and components of a Sample Product together with all relevant installation,
operating and servicing instructions.
Test
Programme means a written document outlining the tests to be performed
and/or assessments to be carried out on a Sample Product by an Authorised
Laboratory and/or by an Authorised Body.
Test
Report means a Test Report on a Sample Product received by the
QGA from an Authorised Laboratory and which contains all relevant test
results and a summary of the compliance (or otherwise) of the Sample Product
against the tests required by the Test Programme.
For
the purposes of this Definition unless otherwise approved by the Chief
Gas Examiner: |
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Each Test Report from an Authorised Laboratory
operating in Australia shall be an official National Association of
Testing Authorities (NATA) endorsed Test Report.
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Each Test Report from Authorised Laboratories
operating overseas shall be similarly endorsed by an equivalent national
laboratory accreditation body.
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Transfer means
an assignment and novation of the rights and obligations attaching to
a Certificate to a third party.
Type
A gas appliance means a domestic or commercial manufactured appliance
designed to burn Gas as a fuel to which the Essential Requirements apply.
Type
B gas appliance means an appliance generally intended for use
in an industrial process.
General
Notes :
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- Words
importing the singular only shall also include the plural (and vice
versa).
- Words importing one gender shall include every
gender.
- Words importing persons shall include business
names, bodies corporate and any other legal entity.
- A reference
to Standards and/or Codes shall be
deemed to be a reference to either one or both and includes such other
safety related requirements of the QGA as amended from time to time
as well as any Standards and/or Codes or safety related requirements
of the QGA which may be substituted by another or any new Standard or
Code or safety related requirement of the QGA as may be amended from
time to time.
- The QGA
reserves the right in its absolute discretion to apply one or more relevant
Standards and/or Codes wholly or in part in
the certification process.
- All fees, charges and other monies referred to
in these Certification Rules are in Australian dollars.
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5. THE CERTIFICATION
PROCESS
5.1
The Application Stage
The
Applicant: |
- will make the necessary arrangements with an Approved
Person (for the Individual Scheme) or an Authorised Laboratory or Body
(for the Full Certification Scheme) to have the appliance assessed against
the Essential Requirements.
- will provide to the relevant person or body any
required access to the appliance and will also provide the required
documentation.
- will pay to the relevant person or body any fees
or charges payable for the services rendered.
- in
the case of the Full Certification Scheme, will provide to QGA all test
reports from the relevant person or body together with an application
for certification under the Certification Rules of the Association.
- will fully disclose to the relevant person or
body all relevant information in relation to the Sample Product and
which information might reasonably be expected to be taken into account
by the person or body when assessing the Applicant’s Application.
- authorises the
QGA to discuss any matters relating to the Applicant’s Application with
the relevant person or body.
- authorises the relevant person or body to disclose to the QGA all information or
knowledge of which it is aware, regarding the Technical Design.
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5.2
The Testing Stage
For
the Individual Scheme – |
- The Approved person will undertake a series of
inspections and tests to ensure that the Essential Requirements are
complied with.
- These inspections and tests should, where possible,
be based on the relevant Australian Standard.
- The Approved person will compile a certification
report detailing all inspections, tests and results certify that these
tests have been undertaken and send a copy of the report to QGA for
filing.
- If requested by the applicant, the Approved person
will provide to the applicant the estimated costs of testing prior to
any work being undertaken.
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For the Full Scheme – |
- The Authorised Laboratory or body will establish
a suite of inspections and tests to ensure that that the Essential requirements
are complied with.
- These inspections and tests should, where possible,
be based on the relevant Australian Standard.
- The Authorised Laboratory or body will compile
a certification report detailing all inspections, tests and results
certify that these tests have been undertaken and send a copy of the
report to QGA.
- If requested by the applicant, the Authorised
Laboratory or body will provide to the applicant the estimated costs
of testing prior to any work being undertaken.
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5.3
The Certification Stage
For
the Individual Scheme - |
- If the appliance is suitable to be certified,
the Approved Person shall affix a Maker’s Warranty Badge to the Appliance
and shall include the number of the Maker’s Warranty Badge in the certification
report.
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For the Full Scheme – |
- If the appliance is suitable to be certified,
the QGA will provide a certificate to the Applicant and will provide
up to 50 Maker’s Warranty badges for the Applicant to affix to appliances
of the type tested.
- The QGA may, at its sole discretion, provide more
than 50 badges to an applicant where the Applicant’s or a manufacturer’s
system of factory quality management has ISO 9000 or equivalent accreditation.
- The applicant will pay the standard fee for the
certificate and badges.
- QGA will maintain a register of all documentation
including a record of the badge numbers issued.
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6. POST-CERTIFICATION
– Full Scheme only |
6.1 Manufacturing of Production Units
The
Applicant - |
- warrants
if a manufacturer of a Production Unit, to manufacture each Production
Unit in conformity with the Certified Design and that all manufactured
appliances meet the provisions of the Essential Requirements.
- warrants,
if not a manufacturer of a Production Unit, to ensure that each Production
Unit is in conformity with the Certified Design and meets the provisions
of the Essential Requirements.
- Will, prior to the re-issue of Maker’s Warranty
Badges from QGA, provide to QGA an independent statement of audit which
certifies that the appliances continue to meet the Essential Requirements
and detailing any non-safety related modifications which have been made
to the Certified Design.
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QGA – |
- Will, upon receipt of an independent statement
of audit and subject to any other inspections or audits by QGA or the
Chief Gas Examiner, issue a further 50 Maker’s Warranty Badges and include
details in the register.
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6.2 Badging of Production Units
The
Applicant : |
- will obtain Maker’s Warranty Badges only from the QGA and only
for the purposes of affixing such Badges to Production Units for which
the Applicant holds a current Certificate.
- will
pay the QGA such sum as may be required by it from time to time to enable
the Applicant to obtain Maker’s Warranty Badges in respect of the Certified
Design of a Product and the subject of a Certificate issued in the name
of the Applicant. (The current fees for Maker’s Warranty Badges are
set out in Appendix 2.)
- will affix or cause to be affixed the appropriate
form of Maker’s Warranty Badge to each Production Unit manufactured,
distributed, sold or otherwise disposed of by it throughout the currency
of the Certificate.
- will not affix and will not permit any other party
to affix a Maker’s Warranty Badge to any Product, the Technical Design
of which does not comply with the Certified Design for that Product
and the Essential Requirements.
- will surrender to the QGA all Maker’s Warranty
Badges held by it immediately upon request by the QGA.
- acknowledges that the QGA ’s Maker’s Warranty
Badges is the property of QGA.
- warrants that it shall not purchase Maker’s Warranty
Badges for any Production Unit for which the Applicant does not hold
a Certificate.
- will not provide any Maker’s Warranty Badges held
by the Applicant to a third party for any purpose whatsoever unless
approved in writing by QGA.
- will not accept from a third party any Maker’s
Warranty Badge and will not affix any such Badge to any Production Unit
unless such Badge has been provided to the Applicant by the QGA.
- acknowledges that the QGA may exercise its rights
in the manner set out in Appendix 3 in the event that the Applicant
fails to comply with the badging requirements of this section.
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The QGA , subject to compliance by the Applicant with its obligations:
Will provide the Applicant with up to 50 Maker’s Warranty
Badges as requested by the Applicant in respect of each Production Unit
warranted by the Applicant as having been manufactured or caused by it to
be manufactured in conformity with the Certified Design and the Essential
Principles. |
6.3 Proposed Change to Certified Design
The
Applicant: |
- acknowledges and accepts that product which varies
from the Certified Design in any manner which could affect the safety
of the appliance is not covered by the certification.
- will promptly notify the QGA of any proposed modification
or change to a Certified Design as detailed above and will not proceed
with any such modification or change to the Certified Design without
the prior written approval of the QGA.
- will
lodge an Application seeking approval from the QGA in the form required
by it for any proposed modification or change to the Certified Design
which could affect the safety of the appliance. (The current Application
Form relating to proposed modifications and changes to a Certified Design
is referred to in Appendix 1).
- will provide full assistance and will cooperate
with the QGA to enable it to carry out its assessment of the proposed
modification or change.
- will
pay the fees and charges of the QGA arising out of the Application and
as set out in Appendix 2.
- authorises
the QGA to contact the manufacturer of a Production Unit if the Applicant
is not the manufacturer of the Production Unit and to discuss with the
manufacturer the Application for modification or change to the Certified
Design made by the Applicant.
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The QGA, subject to compliance by the Applicant with its obligations : |
- will promptly process any Application received
by it and relating to any proposed modification or change to a Certified
Design in accordance with the principles outlined in Clause 5.1.
- will,
where appropriate, issue a replacement Certificate to the Applicant
which will extinguish the prior Certificate.
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6.4 New or Amended Certification Requirements
The
Applicant : |
- will take all necessary steps to remain fully
aware of current certification requirements relating to the Certified
Design and shall lodge an Application with the QGA to address such new
and/or amended certification requirements.
- will
promptly advise the QGA, in writing, of any issues that compromise,
or may compromise compliance of the Certified Design with current, amended
or new certification requirements.
- will
advise the QGA, in writing, of any intended or proposed modification
or change to the Certified Design considered necessary in order to comply
with new or amended certification requirements prior to introduction
of the modifications or change and shall not undertake any modification
or change without the prior written approval of the QGA.
- will
promptly make any changes to the Certified Design as may be required
by the QGA as a result of any amended or new certification requirements.
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The
QGA : |
- will
advise all certificate holders of any amended or new certification requirements.
- will
promptly respond to notification from the Applicant advising the QGA
of any intended or proposed modification or change to the Certified
Design resulting from amended or new certification requirements and
notify the Applicant, in writing, regarding implications for continuance
of the Certificate.
- will
where compliance with new certification requirements is established
to the satisfaction of the QGA, promptly reconfirm in writing, the Certificate
of Compliance.
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6.5 Audits
The
Certificate holder: |
- will, as required by these certification rules
appoint an auditor acceptable to the Association to certify compliance
with the Certified Design and Essential Requirements of the Association.
- The auditor will undertake such tests as the auditor
deems necessary to provide assurance that the requirements of the Association
are being adhered to.
- Prior to undertaking an audit, the auditor shall
inform the Association and shall include in the audit any additional
inspections or tests as required by the Association.
- The applicant shall pay all costs associated with
the audit.
- The auditor shall provide a report to the Association
stating whether or not the appliances still comply with the requirements
of the Association.
- Should the Auditor’s Report show that the Appliance
as manufactured has deviated from the Certified Design, the Certificate
holder shall immediately advise the Association what steps will be taken
to rectify that non-compliance.
- If the non-compliance is one which may affect
the safety of the appliance, the certificate holder will cease production
immediately and notify the Association and the Chief Gas Examiner.
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The QGA: |
- will
monitor ongoing audits and make requests for any changes deemed necessary
to bring appliance into conformity with the requirements of the Association.
- will
advise government and regulatory bodies concerned with public safety
in the event that the QGA reasonably believes that a significant safety
issue has been disclosed by an Audit.
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7. FIELD SAFETY ISSUES >(including Safety Notices and Product Recall)
The
Applicant : |
- will advise the QGA immediately that it becomes
aware of any matter which involves or may involve the unsafe operation
or condition of a Production Unit and will otherwise comply with the
Applicant’s obligations at law.
- will immediately make available to the QGA all
information held by it, which relates to any possibly unsafe or unsafe
operation or condition of a Production Unit.
- will fully cooperate with the QGA and authorize
the QGA to contact relevant government and regulatory bodies concerned
with public safety in the event of an unsafe or possibly unsafe operation
or condition of a Production Unit.
- will initiate every reasonable action to rectify
the unsafe or possibly unsafe operation or condition of a Production
Unit.
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The
QGA, subject to compliance by the Applicant with its obligations: |
- will
contact and assist government and regulatory bodies concerned with public
safety in the event that it becomes aware of the possibly unsafe or
unsafe operation or condition of a Production Unit.
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8. CERTIFICATION STATUS
(>Suspension and/or Cancellation)
The
Applicant: |
- aknowledges
and accepts that the QGA may suspend and/or cancel a Certificate held
by the Applicant where the QGA believes that the appliance does not
meet the Essential Requirements of the Association and presents a danger
to the public.
- In determining the compliance or otherwise with
the Essential Requirements, the QGA shall take into account and accident
data, audit reports and other relevant information.
- undertakes that it will not market or offer for
sale, sell or otherwise dispose of for gain or otherwise any Production
Unit for which a Certificate has been suspended or cancelled.
- will
not claim, imply or infer in any way whatsoever that the Technical Design
of any Product is the subject of a Certificate if that Certificate has
been suspended or cancelled by the QGA.
- will not affix a Maker’s Warranty Badge to any
Production Unit for which a Certificate of Compliance has been suspended
or cancelled by the QGA.
- authorises
the QGA to notify regulatory and/or government bodies concerned with
public safety of the suspension or cancellation of a Certificate if
the suspension or cancellation relates, either directly or indirectly
to public safety.
- will promptly return to the QGA all Certificates
of Compliance held by the Applicant which have been the subject of cancellation
by the QGA.
- acknowledges that cancellation of a Certificate
is irrevocable and that a new Application seeking certification must
be lodged with the QGA in the event that the Applicant seeks re-certification.
- may
in writing by its authorised representative, request the QGA to cancel
a Certificate.
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The
QGA: |
- may
only suspend any Certificate held by the Applicant on the grounds that
the appliance no longer meets the Essential Requirements of the Association
and presents a danger to users and the public.
- may only cancel a Certificate held by the Association
when requested to do so by the certificate holder or after all reasonable
steps have been taken to resolve the suspension of the Certificate and
where the certificate holder has been given sufficient time to resolve
the issues.
- shall
advise the Chief Gas Examiner prior to any cancellation taking place.
- shall
advise all regulatory and/or government bodies concerned with public
safety in the event that it has suspended or cancelled a Certificate.
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9. GENERAL ISSUES
9.1
Confidentiality
The QGA shall keep confidential the Information provided to it by the Applicant.
This obligation does not apply to Information which is already, or which
may appear later, in the public domain, nor does it apply in respect of
Information which is requested to be produced by the Courts, Tribunals,
Police or by any government or regulatory bodies concerned with public safety.
9.2
Transfer of Certificate
The
Applicant: |
- will promptly notify the QGA in writing of any
proposed Transfer of a Certificate to another party or legal entity
(proposed transferee) and will not infer to any party or legal entity
that any such transfer has taken place, without the prior written approval
of the QGA.
- will provide the QGA with all necessary information
required by it to enable the processing of the Transfer and will meet
the QGA ’s charges in processing the Transfer.
- will ensure that the Applicant and the proposed
transferee execute such documentation as may be required by the QGA
to effect any Transfer.
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The
QGA, subject to compliance by the Applicant with its obligations will
process any proposed Transfer received by it.
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9.3
Notices
The
respective addresses of the Applicant and the QGA are the addresses set
out on the Application, unless a different address is notified in writing
to the other party. These addresses will apply for the serving of notices
or other communications and which may be effected by personal delivery or
by post, and if by post the date of service shall be deemed to be the day
after posting. |
9.4
Jurisdiction
These
Certification Rules are governed by the laws of the State of Queensland
and the parties irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the Courts of
that State. |
9.5
Liability
The
Applicant shall forever release the QGA , its directors, employees, servants,
agents and members and each of them from and forever agrees to indemnify
and keep indemnified each of them against all actions, claims, suits, demands,
costs and expenses, whether based wholly or partly on the negligence of
the QGA , its directors, employees, servants, agents and/or members, in
any way arising out of or in connection with the QGA ’s obligations under
these Certification Rules and the certification process including (but without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) the following: |
- the
giving of any assistance and/or advice prior to the time an Application
is made.
- the inspection or testing (whether before or after
the grant of a Certificate of Compliance) of any Sample Product, including
the giving of any advice and/or assistance during the testing or inspection
process.
- any advice and/or assistance given in the course
of or in connection with the testing or inspection of a Sample Product
or Production Unit.
- the
issuing of a certification number and Maker’s Warranty Badges.
- the
granting of any Certificate.
- the
affixing of any Maker’s Warranty Badge.
- the installation (in accordance with all applicable
Acts and Regulations) of any Production Unit bearing a Maker’s Warranty
Badge.
- the
carrying out of any Audit and any actions undertaken following an Audit.
- the
suspension or cancellation of any Certificate or the lifting of a suspension.
- the contacting of government bodies concerned
with public safety and discussing with those bodies any matters concerning
a Sample Product, a Production Unit, a Certified Design, any Audit or
a Certificate.
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9.6 Quality Assurance
The
Applicant’s system of factory quality management must be acceptable to the
Certifying Body in order for a Certificate to be issued. If the Applicant
is not the manufacturer of a Production Unit then the manufacturer of the
Production Unit must have a factory quality management system that must
be acceptable to the QGA in order for a Certificate to be issued. The QGA
will accept that a Applicant’s or a manufacturer’s system of factory quality
management is sufficient if that system has ISO 9000 accreditation. The
Applicant must provide a true copy of such evidence to the QGA upon each
Application being made by an Applicant. |
9.7
Severability
Should
any part of these Certification Rules be or become invalid, that part shall
be severed from these Certification Rules. Such invalidity shall not affect
the validity of the remaining rules. |
9.8
Dispensations
The
Queensland Gas Association Inc. Certification Scheme(s) are intended to
confirm that a Type A gas appliance or a component described under the heading
“Scope” within these Certification Rules meets the requirements of relevant
Standards and/or Codes. As the certification is based on the Essential Requirements
of the GTRC, no deviations of any kind are permitted. This is not to be
taken to read that strict compliance with any specific Standard and/or Code
is mandatory, but rather that the relevant Essential Requirements themselves
are not negotiable. |
9.9
Reserved Certification Numbers
The
QGA may, upon receiving a written request from the Applicant in a form approved
by the QGA, issue the Applicant with a reserved certification number. A
reserved number may only be issued to enable the Applicant to print data
plates and /or publications relating to a Sample Product shortly prior to
the issue of a Certificate of Compliance. The Applicant acknowledges that
any reserved certification number issued to it will be withdrawn by the
QGA after the expiration of 30 days from the date of its issue if a Certificate
has not been granted due to any acts or omissions of the Applicant. The
QGA may in exceptional circumstances and in its absolute discretion extend
the 30-day period. The Applicant agrees that it will not use any reserved
certification number after the Certifying Body has withdrawn such number
and that any costs associated with a withdrawn certification number are
the sole responsibility of the Applicant. |
9.10
QGA Non-Standard Expenses
From
time to time, the QGA may incur non-standard expenses in completing a certification
or providing essential post-certification services to an Applicant. Typically,
these costs would relate to travel and/or accommodation where the QGA has
to provide such services outside its operational metropolitan areas. The
QGA will endeavour to minimise non-standard expenses for a Applicant by
considering appropriate servicing alternatives but, in any case, reserves
the right to recover all incurred non-standard expenses from the applicant.
The QGA will advise the Applicant in writing, and in advance, of the projected
non-standard expenses and the Applicant will agree to meet the cost of such
expenses as agreed with, and in a manner notified by, the QGA. |
9.11
Spot Tests
Spot
Tests are tests and/or assessments designed to help address safety concerns
associated with issues such as field failures, failed audits and product
complaints. The Applicant shall, at its own cost and if requested by the
QGA, provide a Production Unit to an Authorised Laboratory and/or Body nominated
by the QGA for the purposes of conducting such testing and/or assessments.
The Applicant may apply to the QGA to recover direct laboratory testing
costs resulting from compliance with this requirement and the QGA will consider
the results of such tests and/or assessments in determining the merit of
the Applicant's application for such costs.
QGA will only request a spot test where there is documented evidence that
the appliance may be hazardous and present a real danger to the community
or at the request of the Chief Gas Examiner. |
9.12
Applicant Contact Details
The
Applicant shall keep the QGA fully informed in writing of all relevant contact
details necessary for the QGA to satisfactorily administer the Applicant's
certification (eg name of contact officer, job title, telephone and fax
number, etc). |
9.13
Non Technical Modifications
The
Applicant shall be liable for costs set out in Appendix 2 for non-technical
modifications that require the re-issue of documentation by the QGA. |
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10. APPENDICES
10.1 APPENDIX 1: SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTATION
Submittal documentation required by the QGA before it can commence the
certification assessment process, must include all of the following: |
- A completed Application for Certification Approval/Change Form signed by
an authorised employee of the Applicant.
- Payment of the applicable fees and charges as stipulated in the current
Fee Schedule (refer Appendix 2 of the Certification Rules).
- One copies of Product Specifications which clearly identify the Sample
Product. These shall provide an engineering description of the Sample
Product and cover physical configuration and structure, dimensional
relationships, electrical hardware and software, materials and components.
The specifications are also to include two copies of fully dimensioned
A4 size drawings and instructions relating to installation, operation
and maintenance applicable to the product.
- A completed Undertaking and Indemnity Form (QGA Reference F0918); and
- Any other information the Applicant wishes the QGA to consider in its certification
assessment.
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Notes:
1. The Applicant is responsible for ensuring Submittal Documentation is
consistent with any specification requirements described in the Standard/Code
applicable to the Sample Product and must be acceptable to the QGA.
2. Applications received without the necessary supporting documentation
and payment (as described above) will be rejected and returned to the
Applicant.
3. Applicants are advised to refer to the AGA web-site www.gas.asn.au or
the QGA Technical Office (tele: 03 9580 4500) to confirm the current versions
of the listed Forms and Fee Schedule.
|
10.2 APPENDIX 2 - Fee Structure - Certification Services
Revenue Stream |
Description |
Fee |
| Application
Fee (Full Certification) |
All
appliances |
$100.00 |
| Application
Fee (Individual Certification) |
All
appliances |
No Charge |
| QGA
Certification Fee (Full Certification) |
All
appliances |
$50.00 |
| Transfer
of Certification |
All
appliances |
$50.00 |
| Badge
Fee |
All
appliances (per badge) |
$2.50 |
| Non-Standard
Expenses |
Actual
costs plus hourly charge |
$70.00/hr |
|
Note
1: Fees include GST.
Note 2: Fees do not include the costs of testing and certification by an
Authorised Laboratory, Body or Approved Person. Such fees need to be negotiated
between the applicant and the relevant Person / Body.
Note 3: QGA may discount the Badge Fee for large numbers of appliances.
Note 4: Non-technical modifications will attract a further QGA Certification
Fee. |
10.3
APPENDIX 3: CERTIFICATION STATUS CHANGE
Suspension
The
QGA may suspend a Certificate for such period as determined at the sole
discretion of the QGA when: |
- in
the opinion of the QGA , continuance of a Certificate may result in
a significant or potentially significant threat to public or consumer
safety.
- the
Applicant is unable, or refuses to meet one or more than one of the
Applicant’s obligations under these Certification Rules.
- the
Applicant is unable, or refuses to fulfil its financial obligations
to the QGA with respect to fees and charges payable in accordance with
Appendix 2 and these Rules Governing as amended from time to time.
|
Cancellation
The
QGA: |
- will
not, except in exceptional circumstances, cancel a Certificate without
first suspending the Certificate and affording the Applicant reasonable
opportunity to fulfil the Applicant’s obligations under these Certification
Rules.
|
Notwithstanding the above, the QGA: |
- may
cancel a Certificate when, in the opinion of the QGA, continuance of
the Certificate may result in a significant, or potentially significant
threat to public or consumer safety.
- may
cancel a Certificate, together with any other Certificates of Compliance
held by the Applicant, in circumstances in which the Applicant is unable,
or refuses, to fulfil its financial obligations to the QGA with respect
to fees and charges payable in accordance with Appendix 2 and these
Certification Rules as amended from time to time.
- will
cancel a Certificate immediately upon receiving a request from an Australian
Court of Law, regulatory or government body.
- may
cancel a Certificate when the Applicant is unable, or refuses to meet
one or more than one of the Applicant’s obligations as described in
these Rules Governing.
|
10.4
APPENDIX 4: AUDITS
Purpose |
- To help ensure that Production Units continue
to be manufactured in accordance with the Certified Design; and to help
ensure the Certified Design is reviewed in light of new or changed certification
requirements.
|
Audit Limitations |
- The audit process is routinely based upon a selective
review of a single (or restricted number) of Production Units. Audits
are generally conducted at the Applicant's premises (or that of their
nominated representative) and, as such, are unable to involve detailed
laboratory testing.
|
Audit
Principles |
- The QGA reserves the right to conduct audits on
randomly selected Production Units as and when it sees fit.
- It is intended that Audits should be conducted
on a regular basis and normally (but not necessarily) by arrangement
with the Applicant.
- An Audit is essentially a visual comparison of
a Production Unit with elements of the associated Certified Design and
the current requirements prescribed in the applicable Standard(s) and/or
Code(s).
- Individual audits may not necessarily cover all
features, versions or components of the Certified Design but should
(over time) cover most of them.
- Irrespective of nature, severity or cause, auditors
will report all audit non-compliances disclosed by the Audit to the
QGA.
- In addition to any fee to renew a Certificate,
all failed audits relating to that Certificate will attract an audit
charge based on the current hourly rate (i.e. on-site audit time plus
a reasonable estimate of pre/post audit administrative and total traveling
time).
- The QGA may recover from the Applicant non-standard
expenses incurred by it arising from an Audit.
- For a Certificate to remain current, the Applicant
must pay the required Renewal Fee each year and make a Production Unit
available for audit.
- The QGA will suspend the Certificate for any Production
Unit failing an Audit for reasons that, in the opinion of the QGA, may
represent a significant safety problem. Such suspension shall remain
in force until such time as the QGA advises the Applicant otherwise
in writing.
- Where, in the opinion of the QGA, a standard Audit
is unable to adequately confirm continued compliance with current certification
requirements, and where it has reasons to suspect a significant non-compliance
may exist, the Applicant agrees to submit a Production Unit for laboratory
re-testing at its own expense.
- Where no Production Unit relating to a certification
has been assessed in a laboratory for in excess of 10 years, the QGA
may request appropriate laboratory re-testing, and the Applicant agrees
to comply with such request and at the Applicant's expense.
|
10.5
APPENDIX 5: ACCREDITED TESTING LABS
Enertech
PO Box
5240
STUDFIELD VIC 3152
Email: mail@enertech.com.au
Phone: +613 9800 3622
Fax : +613 9800 4420
|
Gas Technology Services
279 Normanby Road
PORT
MELBOURNE
VIC 3152
Email: gastech@vipac.com.au
Phone: +613 9647 9800
Fax : +613 9646 4370
|
Agility
Management
28
Raglan Road
AUBURN NSW 2144
Email: lab@agility.net.au
Phone: +612 9721 9000
Fax : +612 9738 5798
|
|
|
10.6
APPENDIX 6: LIST OF GASEOUS FUELS
Gaseous
fuels for which the QGA Product Certification Scheme(s) apply are as follows: |
- Natural Gas (NG)
- Town Gas (TG)
- Tempered Liquefied Petroleum Gas (TLP)
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
|
| Note:
Liquefied Petroleum Gas is divided into three sub-groups designated as follows: |
- Propane
(P)
- Butane
(B)
- Universal
(U)
|
| Or
such other gaseous fuel(s) as may be determined by the QGA from time to
time. |
10.7
APPENDIX 7: PUBLICATION OF NEW/AMENDED REQUIREMENTS
New
and/or amended certification requirements (including changes to Standards)
may be publicised in any of the following ways: |
- TAS Magazine (Australian Standards)
- QGA Publications, including Technical Bulletins.
- Public advertisements.
- The QGA website.
|
|