2.4 Administration of Standards
The term “administration” is taken strictly to imply an ongoing activity on the part of an agency, to which
a standard has given a clear mandate to monitor the maintenance of its requirements.
The classical example of such standards are the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) welding
certification standards, whether concerned with products (e.g., electrodes) or organizations (e.g.,
fabricators, inspectors or inspection companies). The Canadian Welding Bureau (CWB), Certification
Division (a Division of the CWB Group – Industry Services) is charged with the task of administering
and monitoring these standards. It is the responsibility of CWB to monitor, through an appropriate
mechanism, the manufacturer’s or the company’s adherence to the full conditions of the standard
under which certification has been granted.
There are other administrative models. In Canada, the area of boilers and pressure vessels is under
the jurisdiction of provincial governments. The designated departments of the appropriate ministries
perform a function similar to the responsibility of CWB (to monitor), but the extent of this function is
defined by the applicable Pressure Vessel Act.
In the United States, boiler and pressure vessels are governed by ASME codes (American Society of
Mechanical Engineers).
In some European countries, agencies have been established to fulfill the functions similar to those
performed by the CWB. The assignment of these agencies may also include an inspection function.
In Canada, the CWB certifies welding inspectors and welding inspection organizations.