IIW History 1990-2015

The year 2005, incidentally, was a turning point in the development of the IIW ANB scheme which, by that time, comprised 32 countries that had attained IIW ANB status, consisting of 25 European and seven non-European countries, plus three applicant countries. This was creating significant work for the IIW IAB Secretariat and, in order to reduce inefficiencies and streamline activities, it was decided to combine both EWF and the IIW IAB into a joint Secretariat, effective from the 1 January 2006. It also corresponded with the Institute’s move into IIW company certification through the launch of the IIW Manufacturer Certification Scheme (MCS) According to ISO 3834 Quality Requirements for Fusion Welding of Metallic Materials . 29 The IIW personnel certification scheme was introduced in January 2008 and in recognition of the efforts by EWF in the prior development of personnel certification procedures, the IIW IAB agreed to promote both systems for the coming three years as compensation. As an indication of the growing closeness between IIW and EWF the first publication of a joint Annual Report earlier in 2006 showcased the attributes of both organisations in the operation and dissemination of information for qualification and certification activities. The following years involved rapid expansion, both technically and geographically. The IIW IAB continued its activities in the development of systems in regard to qualification and certification in countries outside of Europe. It launched three new Working Groups that undertook the development of new guidelines for ETQ&C in the areas of Mechanical, Orbital and Robot Welding, Mechanical Destructive Testing, and Welding Safety. At the same time IIW undertook a management review of the IIW IAB through a Board-appointed Task Force under the Chairmanship of Dr-Ing. Stefano Morra (Italy) to develop new strategies and a wider participation of IIW ANBs and ANBCCs in the management process. In furtherance of these objectives the IIW IAB later initiated a Task Group to look at ways of improving the marketing and promotion of the IIW schemes. One of the pleasing results to come out of 2008 was an increase in diplomas awarded, which was attributed to the fact that more and more IIW ANBs were entering the system. One surprise was ‘…that very few, only 1 500 IW diplomas had been awarded, compared with 2.5 million welders in the world’. In this respect there was a huge need for increased attention by all ANBs with regard to the potential to increase welder qualification. 30 Of particular interest, also during that year, was the implementation of a new harmonised examination database that provided a much higher level of consistency in the preparation of suitable questions for examinations. Stefano Morra

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