The AGA Cylinder Certification Scheme introduces a much improved and traceable arrangement that has also appealed to government regulators responsible for overseeing public safety in this area. AGA’s approach will result in an improved level of confidence in public safety outcomes without any additional costs to industry – in fact it will achieve a reduction in stakeholder costs!
With the introduction of AGA’s cylinder certification process, the industry is expected to achieve significant cost savings and reduced time to market. To assist readers understand the new scheme, the following provides a brief outline of the process.
How the scheme works
Full Traceability
The Scheme provides for AGA coordination of all the required certification steps – from design verification through to the monitoring of every production unit to loading in Australian destined shipping containers. The system comprises the following:
– Design verification
– Regulatory acceptance
– Type testing
– Factory inspections
– Test station certification and monitoring
– On-site Monitoring Inspections.
AGA’s hands-on role during all these key stages ensures the best possible traceability of every certified production unit.
Government acceptance
The AGA Cylinder Certification Scheme is recognised and accepted by the relevant government regulatory authorities.
Focus on safety critical aspects
The scheme particularly focuses on the safety critical aspects of the prescribed government regulations and also additional safety aspects including:
– Verification of cylinder compliance as well as compliance of its valves and safety components
– Verification of the surface coating type, thickness and adhesion properties
– Type testing of the cylinder, its valves and safety components conducted by independent ISO17025 compliant laboratories
– Verification of cylinder – cylinder valve compatibility
– Factory and monitoring inspections conducted in accordance with 17020 requirements
– Monitoring of the AGA certified test stations during conduct of AS 2337.1 inspection and tests
– Design verification and inspection records maintained at AGA ensuring full traceability.
Assurance of a certified cylinder
Under government regulations, suppliers of cylinders are held responsible and accountable for every cylinder they release into the Australian marketplace. The industry now has a scheme that will provide suppliers with a higher level of assurance and piece of mind than has previously been possible. Suppliers of AGA certified cylinders can be confident that all the required certification steps have been met, safety critical aspects have been verified, every cylinder produced is fully traceable and that Australian consumers will enjoy an enhanced level of safety.
Cost Competitive
AGA is a not-for-profit organisation with a long-standing focus on product safety and reliability. Despite this primary focus, AGA routinely looks for ways to provide competitive product certification services. One way it does this is to review the steps required to achieve and maintain certification to see if they can be varied to reduce costs whilst retaining an appropriate level of stakeholder confidence in the relevant product’s compliance. An example of this is the change to the “˜stamping’ requirements for individual cylinders. The AGA scheme is expected to deliver substantial savings in conjunction with improved regulatory confidence in product compliance.
Direct supply of cylinders into marketplace
Since the AGA Scheme provides a higher level of safety assurance, suppliers of AGA certified cylinders (unlike those relying upon other schemes) are able to arrange delivery directly from the manufacturer to their retail customers. This eliminates the need for excessive handling of container shipments throughout the supply process – yet another cost saving.
Types of Cylinders
The AGA scheme covers most cylinders referenced in AS 2030.1 and AS / NZS 1425. Contact the AGA office for further information.