Registration Process

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• Get a Quote from APIQR or contact Chip Evans at evanst@api.org. APIQR will send a quotation and an application package.
  
  
• Organizations applying only for ISO 9001 Registration must have quality manuals and quality management systems that conform with the ISO 9001 standard.  Companies applying for API Spec Q1 Registration or ISO/TS 29001 Registration must have quality manuals and quality management systems in conformance with API Spec Q1.  Companies applying  for ISO 14001 Registration must have environmental management systems that conform with the ISO 14001 standard.
  
  
• Prior to submitting an application to APIQR, companies must have had a quality management system in place for at least four months. This includes performing and documenting an internal audit and management review in accordance with the applicable standard.
  
  
• Submit the application paperwork, application fee, and the quality manual. The quality manual must be written in English.
  
  
• APIQR will review the application forms and the quality manual for conformance with program requirements and applicability of desired scope of certification. Should application forms be incomplete, and/or should the quality manual be out of conformance with requirements, APIQR will provide comments.
  
  
• When the application package and quality manual are accepted, API will schedule a Stage 1 audit. The audit costs are at the organization's expense.
  
  
• Stage 1 audits are generally performed offsite and require the organization to provide the auditor with documents for review. These documents may include procedures, control features, internal audit reports, management review records, staff responsibilities and facility layout. If needed, parts of the Stage 1 audit may be carried-out at the organization’s premises.
  
• Once the Stage 1 audit has been successfully completed, API and the assigned auditor will schedule a Stage 2 audit. The audit costs are at the organization’s expense.
  
  
• Stage 2 audits are performed on-site and include verifying the organization’s conformance with API Spec Q1, ISO 9001, ISO/TS 29001 and/or any applicable API product specification.
  
  
• API will make the certification decision on the basis of an evaluation of the audit findings and conclusions, and evidence of effective implementation of corrective actions by the organization (if required)*.
  
  
• Organizations registered under API Spec Q1, ISO 9001 and/or ISO/TS 29001 will have a full system audit every year to ensure continued conformance with the applicable program requirements.

Complaints

• APIQR appreciates customer feedbacks, including complaints. We consider complaints as one way to improve our processes. Complaints against APIQR or its clients may be transmitted to any APIQR employee by letter, email, fax, phone or in person. The API personnel will attempt to resolve the issue upon receipt. In case the complaint would require further investigation, APIQR will initiate its corrective action process to address the complaint.

Appeals and Disputes

• Clients may appeal APIQR’s certification decisions. Appeals should be submitted in writing to the:

Manager of Operations
APIQR/API Monogram Program
American Petroleum Institute
1220 L Street NW Washington, DC 20005

Following its procedure for appeals, APIQR will convene an independent Appeals Board to review the appeal and give all parties involved the opportunity to be heard. The decision of the Appeals Board will be communicated in writing to APIQR and to the appellant.

*A follow-up audit may be required if nonconformances are deemed significant.