ASTM_E_2159_-_15.pdf

Designation:E215915An American National StandardStandard Guide forSelection,Assignment,and Monitoring of Persons To BeUtilized as Assessors/Auditors or Technical Experts1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2159;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides guidance to organizations that needto utilize persons to perform assessments/audits(assessingbodies)of other organizations(assessed bodies)for purposes ofrecognition,accreditation or other type of approval to performa function.1.2 An assessing body should consider the contents of thisguide and apply it according to its unique situation.Theelements of this guide should be applicable to the selection,assignment,and monitoring of assessors,auditors,and techni-cal experts whether they are contract or permanent staffmembers.2.Terminology2.1 DefinitionsThe following definitions apply to theterms used in this guide.2.1.1 assessment teama group of two or more personsconsisting of a combination of assessors,auditors and technicalexperts,as required by the specific assessment to be performed.2.1.2 assessor/auditoran individual who has the skillsnecessary to perform a comprehensive assessment of anotherbody which includes assessment of the quality managementsystem,policies and procedures,etc.2.1.3 technical experta technical expert is an individualwho has extensive technical expertise in a specific area(s).3.Significance and Use3.1 In a situation where an organization is performing anevaluation of another,either formally or informally,the singlemost important element in the evaluation may well be theselection and assignment of a properly qualified assessor/assessment team to perform an on-site assessment.Therefore itis imperative that the person(s)performing the assessment beselected and assigned with care by the assessing organization.Two basic types of individuals normally participate in anon-site assessment:assessors/auditors and technical experts;each perform separate functions(see definitions).3.2 This guide focuses on providing guidance regarding theresponsibilities and obligations of an assessing body in theselection,training,assignment and monitoring of assessors/auditors and technical experts to carry out their evaluationfunctions.NOTE1In some cases,others may also participate in an assessmentwho are beyond the control of the assessing body:for example,govern-ment regulatory personnel,or other observers specified by a client.Suchparticipants are not covered by this guide.4.Management System4.1 An assessing body should have in place a documentedsystem describing how it fulfills the elements of its assessor/auditor,technical expert selection,training,assignment andmonitoring process.4.2 Assessor CriteriaAn assessing body should have writ-ten qualification criteria for the selection of required assessors/auditors,and technical experts.These criteria should addresssuch factors as the candidates education and experience,assessment/audit participation,training,and any examina-tion(s)passed.Requirements for qualification renewal and ifapplicable,re-qualification should be specified.Technical ex-perts should be qualified based on their previous experienceand demonstrated skill.4.2.1 An assessing body should have written evaluationcriteria for assessors/auditors,and technical experts.4.3 Continuous Interactions with Staff-Other AssessorsAnassessing body may find it advantageous to periodically havetheir assessors/auditors and technical experts meet with othersimilar persons to discuss their experiences and developproposals to improve the assessment process.4.4 Rating/Categorization/Listing SystemsAn assessingbody should have a documented system to rate or classify,orboth,assessors according to its needs and situation.NOTE2Categories could be based on length of experience,demon-strated capability or rating other factors.Some systems currently use termssuch as lead assessor,assessor,and assessor trainee,whereas others mayuse designations such as senior and junior assessors.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E36 on Accreditation&Certification and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E36.60 onAccreditation Bodies.Current edition approved June 15,2015.Published July 2015.Originallyapproved in 2001.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E2159 01(2008).DOI:10.1520/E2159-15.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.5 DatabaseAn assessing body should maintain a func-tional database of all assessors/auditors and technical expertsas an effective way to easily select persons for a particularassignment.4.6 RecordsAn assessing body should maintain a com-plete file of all assessors/auditors