Category Archives: QMS Requirements

API 6D Monogram License – What’s Required?

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Bill Aston

We are interested in getting an API 6D monogram license for our ball valves.  We plan to outsource product design, manufacturing, assembly and testing.  We need a consultant’s support with explaining API 6D requirements to our providers of all activities … Continue reading →

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Keeping Current

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Bill Aston

The case for continued professional growth Written by Bill Aston, Published in ASQ QP Magazine, June 2018. It sometimes may seem that as soon as an organization becomes familiar with a management system and its requirements, changes must be made … Continue reading →

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ISO 9001:2015 & Determining External & Internal Issues

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Bill Aston

QUESTION: From: Adolpho P., April, 21, 2017 – My question is regarding ISO 9001:2015 requirements for reporting external and internal issues as a part of the management review process.  Which subjects should be analyzed as the inputs, subclause 9.3.2.b?  I don’t … Continue reading →

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Estimating the cost for API Q1 certification & API 6A Monogram License

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Bill Aston

QUESTION: From: Eugene P., March 6, 2017 – During the past months, we have received several inquiries asking if our company was API Q1 certified or if we had an API 6A monogram.  How much does it cost to get API … Continue reading →

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Are Exclusions to ISO 9001:2015, Permitted?

Posted on October 23, 2016 by System Admin

Inquiry:  Our organization provides mobile crane rental services. We recently received a request from a client to deliver a crane to their site location. This was the extent of the services provided to the client.  Can we exclude ISO 9001:2015, subclause 8.3 requirements … Continue reading →

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Leaders of Change

Posted on October 12, 2016 by System Admin

LEADERS OF CHANGE – Leadership begins at the top. Although ISO 9001:2015, subclause 5.3 requires C-level or top management to assign relevant persons to ensure quality management system (QMS) requirements are communicated and understood, the responsibility to provide the leadership … Continue reading →

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API 6A Monogram Restricts Remanufactured Equipment

Posted on August 26, 2016 by System Admin

Inquiry:  My question is regarding application of the API monogram. Our company is an API 6A licensee. We manufacture valves and other related equipment at our facilities here in the USA and overseas.  During a recent re-certification audit, the Auditor … Continue reading →

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ISO 9001:2008 vs. 2015, Receiving Insp.

Posted on April 21, 2016 by System Admin

Question: Referring to ISO 9001:2008 clause 7.4.3, Verification of Purchased Product; since we are only a trading company that recieves a limited amount of purchased items at our site, please advise if this requirement is applicable to our organization. Thank … Continue reading →

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Tools for Auditing ISO 9001: 2015, Risk Based Thinking

Posted on October 21, 2015 by System Admin

Inquiry: Question received via ASQ’s Ask the Experts Blog, Published 10/21/2015 In addressing clause 4 of ISO 9001:2015 regarding organization context and interested parties, what type of tool (spreadsheet,diagram,flowchart,etc), would you recommend to use to simplify the practice and to … Continue reading →

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API Q2 Risk Assessment, Contingency Planning & MOC

Posted on October 14, 2015 by System Admin

Inquiry: Where can examples of how to implement API Q2 requirements for risk assessments, contingency planning and management of change be found? Suggestions are appreciated. Maxwell Reply: Hello Maxwell, ISO 31000 can provide some general guidance regarding  risk management terminologies … Continue reading →

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API Q1, Risk Management, Contingency Planning & MOC

Posted on May 17, 2015 by System Admin

In the event of changes that affect the QMS or organizational structure, does API Q1 require a corrective/preventive action to be initiated to document the MOC action? Inquiry: Hi Bill, Firstly, going through the different queries on this site has … Continue reading →

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API Q2 Fundamentals & Practitioner Training Course

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Bill Aston

An API Q2 Fundamentals and Practitioner training course will be held in Kingwood TX from May 18, to May 21, 2015. Click this link for course details and access to the registration form. http://tinyurl.com/APIQ2TrainingApr202015 Aston Technical Consulting Services is an … Continue reading →

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