Policy PP-01
Issued: 27 Oct 2016
Position Paper on ASNT Participation in Development of Procedural Specifications
The American Society for Nondestructive Testing was formed to promote the use and science of nondestructive testing. Procedural specifications, standards, and codes are an essential element in the use of nondestructive testing. The American Society for Nondestructive Testing takes the following position with regard to writing and approving of procedural specifications, standards, and codes.
1.0 Procedural Specifications
Have and are being written by the American Society for Testing and Materials. ASNT, through its Technical Council, will review and approve, where appropriate, procedural specifications related to nondestructive testing issued by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Such approval will not be official until passed by the Board of Directors. Procedural specifications have been written and issued by various committees of the Society. These were written in areas not then covered by procedural specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials. The position of the Society is that these procedural specifications should, for uniformity, be included in those of the American Society for Testing and Materials in issuing procedural specifications in areas deemed to be required by the Technical Council and/or the Board of the Society.
2.0 Standards
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American Society for Testing and Materials, American National Standards Institute, and others write and specify standards for use in nondestructive testing. These standards are usually associated with a procedural specification or a code. It is the position of the Society that review and approval of such standards, where appropriate, be handled by the Technical Council in the same manner as procedural specifications.
3.0 Codes
The American Society for Mechanical Engineers, The American Welding Society, the Federal Government, and others issue codes which involve the use of nondestructive testing. It is the position of the Society that writing, approving, and issuance of such codes does not fall under the scope of Society activities.
4.0 Other Areas
Since the American Society for Nondestructive Testing has the responsibility to promote the use and science of nondestructive testing, there are areas where this responsibility must be acted upon. It is the position of the Society that official Society documents will be written in the following areas:
4.1 Qualification and Certification of Nondestructive Testing Personnel.
The Society has issued a document, Recommended Practice for Qualifying and Certifying Nondestructive Testing Personnel, SNT-TC-1A. This document is referenced in various specifications and codes, some of which become mandatory under law. It is the responsibility of the Technical Council to maintain this document so as to best serve the interest of our profession.
4.2 Education and Training of Nondestructive Testing Personnel. The Society, through the Educational Council and local chapters, has maintained a strong position in the education and training of nondestructive testing personnel. It is the position of the Society to continue to be promoted at all levels. Such efforts are subject to the following restrictions.
4.2.1 The Society will not officially endorse the educational documents, training curriculum, or similar activities of any private organization. Educational documents and training courses are only issued, after Board approval, by the National Office. Training courses may be held by local chapters with or without specific Board and Technical Council approval. Official Society approval of training activities by non-Society organizations may be approved, on a case-by-case basis, by the Board. Educational documents, training course curricula, and written material presented during the training courses issued by local chapters will, when bearing the Society logo, have a statement that the materials was issued by the _______ Section of ASNT.