Transitioning to API Q1 - 9th Edition

The API Q1 Specification outlines the minimum quality management system requirements for organizations that manufacture products for the oil and gas industry. Q1 has been around for more than 20 years and has gone through several editions in that time. The ninth edition is right around the corner and its implementation will alter your organization’s compliance processes.

API Q1 9th edition expands the scope of previous publications by adding over 80 new clauses and 5 new sections. API recommends, that as a result of the vast changes, that the implementation time is a year from the publication date.

So, what does this mean for your organization?

The first step of the transition involves auditing. API will conduct audits based on the 8th edition up until November 2013 to allow your organization and any third parties to become familiar with the 9th edition. API realizes that implementation and training can drain time and resources. To reduce these impacts, they have provided organizations and interested parties 5 months to train personnel and become prepared.

The second step will begin in December of 2013. At this point, all audits will be done according to the 9th Edition of Q1. During this period any unusual findings will be marked as “concerns” and API will not follow up to ensure corrective actions have been taken. However, beginning March 1, 2014 any of these issues that remain unresolved will be marked as non-conformances.

The final phase takes effect in June of 2014 and requires conformance to the 9th edition and any nonconformities will be treated with appropriate penalties.

With these dates rapidly approaching, it is essential that you develop a plan to become compliant. If you do this properly, you can put the 9th edition transition in the rearview mirror and focus on core business operations.

To discuss how your organization can easily comply with API Q1 9th edition standards call Accupoint at 800-563-6250