What Is an IECEx Quality Assessment Report (QAR)?
An IECEx Quality Assessment Report (QAR) is a document that records the assessment of a manufacturer's quality management system for the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
While an IECEx Ex Test Report (ExTR) documents the technical evaluation and testing of equipment, the QAR addresses the manufacturing side of certification. Its purpose is to provide confidence that the manufacturer can continue producing explosion-protected equipment in accordance with the certified design and the applicable IECEx requirements.
The QAR is therefore closely linked to the IECEx Certificate of Conformity (CoC), the ExTR, and the specific manufacturing locations covered by the certification.
What Is an IECEx Quality Assessment Report?
An IECEx Quality Assessment Report, or QAR, records the assessment of a manufacturer's quality management system against the requirements applicable to the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
The assessment focuses on whether the manufacturer's manufacturing and quality processes are capable of maintaining conformity of production with the certified equipment design and the applicable IEC 60079 standards.
IECEx documentation describes the purpose of the QAR as providing confidence that manufacturing production of products listed on an IECEx Certificate of Conformity will continue to comply with the standards listed on that certificate.
Why Is the QAR Needed?
Product testing establishes whether the examined equipment design meets the applicable technical requirements. It does not, by itself, demonstrate that every production unit will continue to be manufactured in accordance with that approved design.
The QAR addresses this production-consistency issue.
The quality assessment examines the manufacturer's documented quality system and its implementation at the relevant manufacturing location. This provides the certification system with evidence that production controls are capable of maintaining conformity over time.
This distinction is particularly important for explosion-protected equipment because changes in materials, components, manufacturing processes, inspection methods, or production controls can potentially affect characteristics that are important to explosion protection.
Who Issues an IECEx QAR?
An IECEx Quality Assessment Report is issued by an IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) within the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
The ExCB assesses the manufacturer's quality system and the relevant manufacturing location or locations. IECEx procedures include review of the manufacturer's quality documentation, site assessment, compilation of the QAR, independent review, and registration of the QAR in the IECEx online system.
The QAR is then used in support of IECEx Certificates of Conformity and ongoing production.
What Standard Does the QAR Assess?
The current IECEx quality assessment framework is based on ISO/IEC 80079-34, which addresses the application of quality systems for the manufacture of equipment for explosive atmospheres.
IECEx documentation also refers to OD 005 for older versions of QARs. Current certification reviews should therefore be based on the applicable and current IECEx requirements rather than relying on older QAR terminology.
What Does a QAR Audit Evaluate?
The QAR is concerned with the manufacturer's ability to maintain conformity during production.
Depending on the manufacturing operation and certified equipment, the assessment can examine areas such as:
- Quality management procedures
- Manufacturing process controls
- Document and drawing control
- Purchasing and supplier controls
- Incoming material controls
- Production and assembly procedures
- Inspection and testing
- Calibration and control of measuring equipment
- Control of nonconforming products
- Corrective action processes
- Personnel competence and training
- Product identification and traceability
- Records demonstrating conformity of production
The objective is not simply to determine whether the manufacturer has written procedures. The assessment also considers whether the quality system is implemented effectively at the relevant manufacturing location.
QAR and Manufacturing Location
A QAR is associated with specific manufacturing location or locations.
This is an important point when reviewing an IECEx certificate.
The manufacturer named on the Certificate of Conformity and the manufacturing locations covered by the associated QAR should be consistent with the certification documentation. IECEx certification-file review procedures specifically require the QAR to cover the manufacturing locations associated with the CoC.
A manufacturer may therefore have several production facilities, but the relevant QAR must cover the location where the certified equipment is actually manufactured.
How Does the QAR Support an IECEx Certificate?
The relationship between the main IECEx certification documents can be simplified as follows:
| Document | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ex Test Report (ExTR) | Documents the technical evaluation and testing of the equipment against the applicable IEC 60079 standards. |
| Quality Assessment Report (QAR) | Documents assessment of the manufacturer's quality system and manufacturing controls. |
| Certificate of Conformity (CoC) | Provides the IECEx certification of the equipment based on the applicable technical and production requirements. |
The ExTR and QAR address different parts of the certification process. IECEx certification-file review procedures require the relevant CoC to be linked to valid ExTR and QAR documentation and require the scope of the certificate to be consistent with the associated certification records.
QAR vs Ex Test Report (ExTR)
| Aspect | QAR | ExTR |
|---|---|---|
| Primary subject | Manufacturing quality system | Equipment design and technical assessment |
| Main location | Manufacturer's production site | IECEx Ex Testing Laboratory and associated certification process |
| Main requirement | ISO/IEC 80079-34 and IECEx requirements | Applicable IEC 60079 standards |
| Focus | Conformity of production | Technical conformity of the examined equipment |
| Purpose | Confidence in continued compliant production | Evidence of technical testing and assessment |
A QAR therefore does not replace the ExTR. The two documents answer different questions:
ExTR: Does the examined equipment design meet the applicable technical requirements?
QAR: Does the manufacturer's quality system support continued production of equipment conforming to that certified design?
QAR and the IECEx Certificate of Conformity
The QAR is one of the supporting documents associated with an IECEx Certificate of Conformity.
When reviewing an IECEx certification file, the relationship between the CoC, ExTR, and QAR is important. IECEx certification procedures require the relevant documents to be linked and consistent in areas such as manufacturer, manufacturing location, product scope, protection concept, and applicable standards.
This means that a QAR should not be treated as an independent product certificate.
What Information Is Included in a QAR Summary?
IECEx publishes a QAR Summary on its online certification system.
The current IECEx rules specify that the QAR Summary includes information such as:
- Manufacturer
- Manufacturing location(s)
- Product type
- Type of explosion protection
- QAR expiration date
The QAR itself contains the detailed assessment information, while the online QAR Summary provides a public record of the relevant certification information.
How Long Is a QAR Valid?
The QAR is subject to a defined validity period and ongoing surveillance under the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
The current IECEx rules require periodic surveillance of certified Ex equipment and assessment of the manufacturer's quality management system for continued compliance. The surveillance interval is determined according to IECEx requirements and the effectiveness of the manufacturer's quality management system.
Older IECEx documentation described a three-year QAR period with surveillance assessments during that period. Current certification work should therefore be checked against the latest IECEx rules rather than assuming that every QAR follows the historical three-year arrangement.
What Happens if a QAR Has Problems?
If an assessment identifies nonconformities, the manufacturer may be required to implement corrective actions.
The certification process can require the deficiencies to be resolved before the QAR is issued, maintained, or accepted for continued certification support.
IECEx procedures also provide for surveillance and continued assessment of manufacturing quality systems. The purpose is to maintain confidence in conformity of production throughout the certification lifecycle.
Can the QAR Be Used as Product Certification?
No.
A QAR is not an IECEx Certificate of Conformity and should not be used as evidence that a particular product model is independently certified.
The QAR addresses the manufacturer's quality system and manufacturing controls. Product certification is documented through the applicable IECEx certification documentation, including the Certificate of Conformity.
IECEx rules specifically state that QARs and QAR Summaries are certification documents used in the preparation of IECEx CoCs and ongoing production and are not intended to be used as advertising or sales-promotion documents.
How Engineers Can Verify a QAR
For procurement and technical review, the QAR Summary provides useful information that can be compared with the IECEx Certificate of Conformity.
- Identify the manufacturer on the IECEx CoC.
- Identify the manufacturing location associated with the certified product.
- Check the associated QAR in the IECEx online certification system.
- Confirm that the manufacturing location is covered.
- Check that the product type and protection concept are consistent.
- Check the QAR status and expiration information.
- Compare the QAR information with the CoC and ExTR.
- Check that the certification scope corresponds to the actual product being offered.
IECEx certification-file review procedures specifically identify consistency between the CoC, QAR, ExTR, manufacturer, manufacturing locations, standards, and protection concept as important checks.
QAR and ISO 9001 Are Not the Same
An IECEx QAR should not simply be treated as another ISO 9001 certificate.
ISO 9001 is a general quality management system standard. The IECEx quality assessment is specifically connected to the manufacture of explosion-protected equipment and the requirements applicable to the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
A manufacturer may hold both ISO 9001 certification and IECEx certification, but the existence of an ISO 9001 certificate does not by itself replace the IECEx quality assessment requirements.
Common Misunderstandings About QAR
A QAR Is a Product Certificate
No. The QAR evaluates the manufacturer's quality system and production controls. The IECEx Certificate of Conformity is the product certification document.
A QAR Is the Same as an ExTR
No. The ExTR addresses technical testing and assessment of the equipment, while the QAR addresses manufacturing quality and conformity of production.
Only the Manufacturer's Head Office Matters
No. The relevant manufacturing location is important. The QAR must cover the manufacturing location associated with the certified production.
An ISO 9001 Certificate Replaces the QAR
No. ISO 9001 and the IECEx quality assessment have different purposes and scopes.
The QAR Is Only Relevant When the Product Is First Certified
No. IECEx requires ongoing surveillance and assessment of manufacturing quality systems to maintain confidence in continued conformity of production.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IECEx QAR?
An IECEx Quality Assessment Report is a report documenting assessment of a manufacturer's quality management system for the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
Who issues an IECEx QAR?
An IECEx Certification Body (ExCB) issues the QAR within the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
What does a QAR assess?
It assesses the manufacturer's quality system and manufacturing controls relevant to producing explosion-protected equipment in conformity with the certified design.
Is a QAR the same as an IECEx Certificate of Conformity?
No. The QAR concerns the manufacturing quality system, while the IECEx Certificate of Conformity certifies the applicable equipment.
Is a QAR the same as an ExTR?
No. The ExTR documents the technical testing and assessment of the equipment, while the QAR addresses manufacturing quality and conformity of production.
Can I verify a QAR online?
IECEx publishes QAR Summary information through its online certification system. The summary provides key information such as the manufacturer, manufacturing location, product type, protection concept, and QAR expiration information.
Does the QAR cover every manufacturing location?
It covers the specific manufacturing location or locations identified in the certification documentation. This should be checked when reviewing an IECEx certificate.
Conclusion
An IECEx Quality Assessment Report (QAR) documents the assessment of a manufacturer's quality management system for the IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme.
Its purpose is different from the Ex Test Report. The ExTR provides technical evidence concerning the examined equipment, while the QAR provides confidence that the manufacturer can continue producing equipment in conformity with the certified design.
For engineers and procurement teams, the most useful checks are the manufacturer, manufacturing location, product type, protection concept, QAR status, and relationship between the QAR, ExTR, and IECEx Certificate of Conformity.
References
- IECEx – Certified Equipment Scheme Rules
- IECEx OD 009 – Procedures for Issuing IECEx Quality Assessment Reports
- IECEx OD 003-2 – Procedures for IECEx Acceptance and Certification Review
- IECEx 02 – Certified Equipment Scheme Rules of Procedure
- ISO/IEC 80079-34 – Application of quality systems for manufacture of Ex products.
- IEC 60079 Series – Explosive Atmospheres.
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