API Receives Accreditation of Safety and Sustainability-Focused Certification Programs

WASHINGTON, April 27, 2021 – The American Petroleum Institute (API) is pleased to announce the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) accreditation of three of its inspector certifications, validating API’s ongoing commitment to deliver world-class programs to support safe and reliable natural gas and oil operations.

“Accreditation by the ANSI National Accreditation Board confirms that our certification programs are developed transparently and by consensus to enhance safety and sustainability across the industry,” Senior Vice President for Global Industry Services (GIS) Debra Phillips said. “The recognition gives our programs further validity in both U.S. and international markets as we see participation numbers increase in nearly every region of the world.”

This accreditation formally recognizes that the API inspector certification programs for API 510 for Pressure Vessels, API 570 for Piping and API 653 for Aboveground Storage Tanks meet the rigorous requirements established under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17024, Conformity Assessment - General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of Persons. To qualify for accreditation, certification bodies like ICP need to meet ISO 17024 to demonstrate competency in personnel credentialing.

“ANSI accreditation ensures that a high degree of consistency and accountability is instituted through the entire credentialing process,” API’s ICP Manager Andri Orphanides said. “Just as our inspectors prove their value through acquiring our certifications, receiving this recognition by ANSI validates our ability to provide certifications meeting global standards.”

The three ICP certifications that have been accredited by ANSI include:

• API 510 – Pressure Vessel Inspector, a certification program designed to determine if an individual possesses the knowledge required to conduct inspections of repairs, alterations, and maintenance activities of pressure vessels.
• API 570 – Piping Inspector, a certification program used to determine a candidate’s knowledge related to maintenance, inspection, alteration and repair of in-service metallic piping systems.
• API 653 – Aboveground Storage Tank Inspector Certification Program, establishes a uniform knowledge base relating to tank inspection and repair of aboveground storage tanks that meet state and local government regulations.

API’s Individual Certification Programs provide the natural gas and oil industry with a pool of independently certified technical and inspection personnel with demonstrated knowledge and experience. ICP testing, developed in partnership with industry leaders, is used to certify that inspectors and personnel can demonstrate competence in areas important to the safe and sustainable operation of energy facilities. The new accreditation serves to identify ICP certifications as meeting the highest standard for openness and integrity.

The ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is a non-governmental organization that provides accreditation services and training to public–and private–sector organizations, serving the global marketplace. ANAB is the largest accreditation body in North America and provides services in more than 75 countries.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.