SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Implement a quality system to ensure technically valid measurement results in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119244  Implement a quality system to ensure technically valid measurement results in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Engineering 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who are required to produce technically valid, credible measurement results. Persons credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate fundamental understanding of the concepts of a measurement quality system.
  • Explain the need for a measurement quality system.
  • Clarify the management and technical requirements.
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given requirement.
  • Demonstrate the means to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing a measurement quality system. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Literacy and numeracy at NQF 04 or equivalent.

    Competence in the following:
  • Define the role, functions and operation of the international measurement system.
  • Apply the ISO document "Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement" to estimate the uncertainty of measurement.
  • Develop calibration and test methods and procedures.
  • Reporting of measurement results. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The application of this unit standard is limited to calibration and test laboratories. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain why a Quality System is required to ensure technically valid measurement results. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for competence, accuracy traceability, uncertainty, procedure/method and records as key requirements to ensure technically valid results, is explained. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    How a measurement quality system ensures that technically valid results, are achieved in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe and clarify the management and technical requirements for a measurement quality system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The management components of a measurement quality system are described and clarified. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The technical components of a measurement quality system are described and clarified. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The competence system requirements in the laboratory environment are determined in terms of ISO/IEC 17025. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The individual management and technical components of a measurement quality system are applied in the laboratory environment. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The assessment methods, and their application, for evaluating the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system are explained. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Assessment methods include internal audit, inter laboratory comparisons, audit samples, vertical assessment, quality checks, third party accreditation, witnessing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Non-conformances to ISO/IEC 17025 in a given measurement system scenario, are identified and reported. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a registered SANAS Technical Assessor and registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.
    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:
  • ISO / IEC 17025.
    Competence, accuracy traceability, uncertainty, procedure/method and records. Management and technical requirements
  • Assessment methods.
    Internal audit, inter laboratory comparisons, audit samples, vertical assessment, quality checks, witnessing.
  • Accreditation.
    Third party assessment, mutual recognition, credibility of measurements, competency evaluation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to identify quality system requirements and design and/or implement an appropriate measurement quality system, assess and taken appropriate action.

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment.
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: The ability and willingness of the candidate to interact with laboratory staff to implement a measurement quality system and to request assistance in an appropriate manner as a team member

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment.
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: The interpretation of ISO / IEC 17025 in order to assess measurement quality system requirements, and subsequent planning, is required.

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Explain why a Quality System is required to ensure technically valid measurement results.
  • Describe and clarify the management and technical requirements for a measurement quality system.
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment.
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to assess the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system and constantly evaluate the changing situation.

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
    Note: The appropriate communication with customers, laboratory manager and personnel with regard to the measurement quality system and its implementation, will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication.

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Explain why a Quality System is required to ensure technically valid measurement results.
  • Describe and clarify the management and technical requirements for a measurement quality system.
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment.
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: Not applicable to any of the specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    Note: The candidates application of ISO /IEC 17025 and inter laboratory comparison will lead to a standardized measurement results, which will indicate his/her understanding that problem-solving does not exist in isolation.

    Associated with specific outcomes:
  • Explain why a Quality System is required to ensure technically valid measurement results.
  • Describe and clarify the management and technical requirements for a measurement quality system.
  • Develop a measurement quality system for a given specific laboratory environment.
  • Apply various assessment methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measurement quality system. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to assessors

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    Unit standard justification

    1. Level

    Attribute-Level
    Applied Competence-5
    Autonomy of Learning-5

    Actual Level Assigned: 5

    2. Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom Teaching-40
    On-The-Job Training-10
    Mentoring required-10
    Other (Specify)-
    Total-60

    Credits Assigned: 6 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57228   National Certificate: Metrology  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.