Unlocking Opportunities with Kiwa: Personal Certification for Welders, Welding Operators, and Brazers

As a trusted Notified Body (NoBo) operating under the esteemed Pressure Equipment Directive (PED), our accreditation extends across multiple European countries. Our role as an independent third-party organization, endorsed by Member States, is to rigorously evaluate people products to ensure they meet the specific standards required for a specific market. This designation empowers us to provide personnel certification services to clients throughout Europe. In this way strict adherence to regional regulations can be ensured and a culture of safety and quality can be fostered. 

With our expertise and commitment to excellence, we are here to support you in reaching new heights of professional success while maintaining the utmost safety and quality standards in the industry. 

The Certification Process in Welding: Your Path to Success 

Unlocking professional opportunities and demonstrating expertise is within your reach through the certification process. From application to testing and certificate issuance, Kiwa provides a clear path to personal certification success. Discover how Kiwa can propel your career forward. 

1. Applying for Certification: The first step toward obtaining a personal certification is submitting an application. The applicant easily provides all the necessary information, including the desired standard, certificate type, and test details. By signing the application, the applicant confirms agreement with the certification rules.
2. Testing and Inspection: Prior to the test, our inspector reviews the manufacturing instructions to ensure compliance with applicable requirements. The test pieces are labelled for traceability, and the inspector oversees the entire process, ensuring adherence to the current standards. Depending on the standard, knowledge tests may be conducted in conjunction with the examination. 
3. Testing for Certification: Once the test is completed, the inspector performs a visual inspection of the sample. If the requirements are met, the samples undergo non-destructive or destructive testing, based on the standard and type of sample. 
4. Failure and Retesting: In case an applicant fails to meet the standard's requirements during the initial testing or subsequent attempts, a retest can be done. However, if the second attempt is unsuccessful, the applicant must undergo additional training before booking a new certification opportunity, as prescribed in the standard. 
5. Certificate Issuance: Following a successful test and inspection, the certification documentation is compiled and reviewed by independent Kiwa personnel who were not involved in the testing phase. If all requirements are met, the certificates are issued to the applicants. The certificate's validity period is determined by the respective standard and the chosen certificate type. Employers usually get certificates, but applicants can ask Kiwa for their own copies since we own the certificates. 
6. Extension and Revalidation of Certification: Extending the validity of a certificate is possible for certain standards and certificate types. The employer can apply for revalidation, and Kiwa reviews the basis for revalidation. If the requirements are met, the certificate's validity period is extended accordingly. Note, some certificate types, such as ISO 9606-1 and ISO 14732, are non-extendable.