NSI supports World Accreditation Day 2019

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) offered its full support to World Accreditation Day 2019 (#WAD2019). A global initiative celebrating accreditation, the event (which took place on Sunday 9 June) focused on accredited bodies like the NSI adding value in supply chains. 

From a security and fire safety sector perspective, installers and service providers of security and fire safety systems and security guarding solution are a vital ‘link in the chain’ with their expertise at the point of delivery, keeping people safe, ensuring security solutions harness suitable technology and that they’re fit for purpose.

Whether it be in the design, installation and commissioning of intruder alarms, access control systems, fire detection or suppression systems and CCTV or the monitoring of myriad guarding services, Best Practice in service provision by NSI-approved companies ensures that quality solutions are delivered to customers.

World Accreditation Day marked the work underway to launch ‘IAF CertSearch’, a website designed to provide buyers with the ability to verify management systems certificates such as ISO 9001 (itself a key component of NSI’s Gold approvals). This facility will help to distinguish certificates issued by accredited conformity assessment bodies (CABs), such as the NSI, from certificates issued by non-accredited CABs and to check the authenticity of a certificate.

Richard Jenkins, CEO at the NSI, commented: “World Accreditation Day plays an important role in promoting the value of accreditation and accredited conformity assessment. As an accredited certification body, the NSI conforms to ISO 17021-1 and ISO 17065 in the delivery of Certificates of Approval to over 1,800 approved companies operating in the UK and Eire. The worldwide system of accreditation spans economies accounting for 96% of global GDP*. The NSI is proud to play its small part in this ecosystem underpinning Best Practice, competency and consistent quality within our sector, as recognised by, among others, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Security Industry Authority, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, BAFE and industry and insurer stakeholders.”

Richard Jenkins

NSI Gold Approval combines Quality Management Systems approval ISO 9001 with specific product standards pertinent to services provided, in addition to NSI Quality Schedules and approval criteria specifically designed for the security and fire systems and guarding services sectors. The NSI adopts a ‘treat recommendations as mandatory’ stance with regard to all standards and Codes of Practice, affording buyers confidence that NSI-approved companies adhere to the latest Best Practice at all times.

For full details of the range of NSI approvals to international and British Standards and industry Codes of Practice visit www.nsi.org.uk

*Source: World Economic Forum

Lynn Watts-Plumpkin appointed director and general manager at IQ Verify

The IQ Group – which encompasses Industry Qualifications and the Institute of Administrative Management – has announced the appointment of Lynn Watts-Plumpkin to lead the development of its new certification body entitled IQ Verify.

IQ Verify will specialise in the certification of management systems, products and services, and is in the final stages of UKAS accreditation to ISO 17021 and ISO 17065. This development will allow the IQ Group to provide both individual certification through its awarding organisation as well as organisational certification through IQ Verify. It will be the first multi-sector organisation in the UK with this capability.

Lynn Watts-Plumpkin, whose background includes significant roles at both the NSI and the SSAIB, said: “I’m delighted to be joining the IQ Group at this time, and am excited by the opportunity to lead a new certification body. IQ Verify will be distinct in its offering. The focus will be on standards associated with corporate resilience, the investigations sector and PSC-1 within the security industry. We will also be developing inspection schemes for a number of economic sectors and trade bodies. Announcements will be made over the coming months.”

Lynn Watts-Plumpkin: director and general manager at IQ Verify

Raymond Clarke, CEO of the IQ Group, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to attract a person of Lynn’s experience and ability to IQ Verify at a very important time in its development. We’ve been working towards UKAS accreditation for a year now, and have conducted a range of trial assessments in advance of UKAS approval to positive acclaim.”

Clarke added: “IQ Verify will be operational from Monday 1 December, offering inspections to BS 102000 (Investigative Services), ISO 27001 (Data Security), ISO 31000 (Risk Management) and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity). We will be offering PSC-1 and ISO 9001 from January, by which time we expect to have obtained full UKAS accreditation.”

*For further information on the work of Industry Qualifications visit: http://www.industryqualifications.org.uk/