Certification procedure

Certifying of humanitarian demining equipment/products is a procedure by which their conformity with international standards and with standards prescribed by Croatian laws is established. In the course of testing procedure of equipment/products used in humanitarian demining for the purpose of certifying, below listed activities are conducted:

• Apply for testing/certifying;
• Submit necessary documents and equipment/products for testing;
• Inspect and test equipment/products
• Develop a Testing Report
• Issue a Certificate
• Oral and written complaints

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The ordering party fills out, confirms and submits „Certification Application form” ( Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01 ) . Together with „Certification Application form” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01) the ordering party will submit „Statement on Conformity“ (Sample form: Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02).

On the basis of application submitted by the ordering party and after inspecting the equipment/product for which the application for certifying has been submitted, the Testing/Certifying Plan is developed

Depending on the equipment to be certified, the following activities should be conducted:

I. CERTIFICATION OF DEMINING MACHINES

A. CERTIFICATION OF A NEW DEMINING MACHINE

For certification process to be implemented, together with “Certification Application form" (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01 and „Statement on Conformity“ (Sample form: Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) following documents will also be submitted:
technical data on the demining machine (brand, mark, technical description of the machine and soil processing quality),

technical data on the material of the cab armor and glass and on the protection of vital parts - of the machine (material certificates),

certificate on the measuring of noise inside the cab (issued by an accredited laboratory/center),

certificate or report on the overall level of impact acceleration on the machine operator's seat caused by detonation of an antitank mine (issued by an accredited laboratory/center),

documents on developmental and factory testing (if existing),

documents on the use of the machine outside Croatia (if existing),

instructions for use (Standard Operating Procedures),

appointment of the ordering party representative who will be present at the testing.

Enclosed to the conformity evaluation request will be all certificates on the quality control of the machine, issued by authorized institutions.

B. RECERTIFICATION OF A DEMINING MACHINE

For implementation of recertifying procedure, “Certification Application form" (Q-Ob- 4202-ABC-01 and „Statement on Conformity” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) should be submitted.

II. CERTIFICATION OF MINE DETECTION DOGS

A. FIRST CERTIFICATION

For implementation of certifying procedure, together with „ Certification Application form “ (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01) and „Statement on Conformity” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) the following documents will be submitted:
“Handler and Dog questionnaire”, filled out (Q-Ob-UVP-1),
Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the work with handlers and dogs or a Chapter of the SOP which defines it, which will contain:
Overview of the work out and training, daily, weekly and monthly records,

List of equipment necessary for work with dogs,

Procedure of preparation and control of general and health condition prior to working with dogs,

Preparation and marking of the work site for work with dogs,

Working procedure for handlers and dogs while searching the area,

Safety measures

B RECERTIFICATION

For implementation of the recertifying procedure, together with „ Certification Application form” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01) and „Statement on Conformity“ (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) the filled out form of the request for mine detection dogs testing (Q-Ob-TVP-0) will also be submitted.

III. CERTIFICATION OF METAL DETECTORS

To initiate the certification process, it is necessary to submit “Certification Application form” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01 and “Statement on Conformity” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) as well as the filled out „Metal Detectors Conformity Assessment Form“ (Q-Ob-ZMD CO-0).

When taking over metal detectors for certification, a HCR-CTRO representative will, together with a representative of the ordering party, fill in the “Metal Detectors Take Over Report” (Q-Ob-PMD-CO 01).

IV. CERTIFICATION OF PRODDERS

To initiate the certification process, it is necessary to submit “Certification Application form” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01 and “Statement on Conformity” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) as well as the filled out „Prodders Testing Application Form“ (Q-Ob-ZP-DO 01).

When taking over metal detectors for certification, a HCR-CTRO representative will, together with a representative of the ordering party, fill in the “Prodders Take Over Report” (Q-Ob-PP-DO 01).

V. CERTIFICATION OF PPE

To initiate the certification process, it is necessary to submit “Certification Application form” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-01 and “Statement on Conformity” (Q-Ob-4202-ABC-02) as well as the filled out „PPE Testing Application Form“ (Q-Ob-ZO-EO 01).

When taking over metal detectors for certification, a HCR-CTRO representative will, together with a representative of the ordering party, fill in the “PPE Take Over Report” (Q-Zapis PZO-EO 01).

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The ordering party will deliver equipment/product for testing to the place and in time determined by HCR-CTRO. The ordering party will submit necessary documents at least seven (7) days prior to the established testing date. Certification Application and other necessary documents are submitted in Croatian language.

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During the testing, inspections performed are recorded and a Testing Report is developed as a final document produced by a testing leader.

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If the testing was completed with positive results and if all required documents exist, a Certificate is issued as a HCR-CTRO final document for performed certification procedure.

If the equipment failed to pass the testing, the ordering party will receive a Nonconformity Note.

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If they are dissatisfied with the HCR-CTRO work (work which is not linked to the reasons to file a complaint), the ordering party or other interested parties may express their verbal complaint.

Written complaints are submitted within 7 days from the day of the occurrence of the circumstances which were the reason to file a complaint.

Complaints may be filed personally or via mail, and they are filed at the Office Management office. Every complaint will be treated as a separate matter in accordance with the HCR-CTRO rules of business operation.

The president of the Committee for Certification Procedure Monitoring and Complaints will be informed about a complaint.

After inspecting the records of implementation of the procedure under complaint, and after inspecting other necessary documents, the Committee will evaluate the HCR-CTRO decision which was contested in the complaint.

The Committee will deliver a report on their findings to the HCR-CTRO director within 15 days from the date of receiving the complaint. The report will contain a proposed way of settling the complaint.

HCR-CTRO director will make a decision about the complaint, on the basis of the findings and suggestions given in the Committee report.

This decision will be final and cannot be a matter of a new complaint.

The director will inform the complainant, in a written form, about the justification of his decision, and when applicable, refer him to possible legal remedies.

Documents:

• Certification Application form
• Statement on Conformity
• Handler and Dog questionnaire
• Metal Detectors Conformity Assessment Form