Introduction

National Quality Assurance Ltd is the UK's second largest accredited certification body, carrying out third party assessment and registration of management systems against the requirements of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and, the sector specific schemes, QS-9000 / TS 16949 and TickIT. The company was established in 1988 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC).

NQA is accredited by UKAS, RvA and RAB (in the UK, Netherlands and USA respectively) for its QMS certification activities; its UKAS accredited scope covering 37 of the 39 EA codes, and is also accredited by UKAS for all 39 EA codes in respect of its EMS certification activities. NQA is also accredited for BS 7799 certification and Product certification against BS 7950 and BS 7412 which relates to double glazed windows.

NQA has a large staff of experienced and fully qualified assessors and lead assessors, most of whom are registered with the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA). Where appropriate, assessors are registered with the Environmental Auditor Registration Association (EARA).

NQA is based in Dunstable and is supported by four UK regional offices and 14 overseas agents. In addition we have established two joint venture companies, NQA Inc and Shanghai NQA to provide certification services in North America and China respectively.

Assessment Process

NQA's philosophy is to build a practical and professional working relationship with clients, which includes close customer care that maximises the benefits of management system certification. A carefully developed assessment process assists and guides clients through to registration. The process begins, if required, with an advisory visit to establish the clients certification needs and provide advice on costs and timescales. It is helpful if clients complete a Questionnaire at this stage giving details of their company. On receipt of an application, a NQA auditor with the required skills and experience is appointed to carry out an initial on-site review of the applicant's quality manual. The visit also provides the client with the opportunity to meet the auditor and resolve any potential problem areas prior to the assessment itself. The auditor will either go on to carry out an assessment or form part of a team of auditors that carries out the assessment. On completion of the assessment and registration process the company details will be entered in the QA Register.

Address:
Head Office
Warwick House
Houghton Hall Park
Houghton Regis
Dunstable
LU5 5ZX
UK

Contact:
Mr S Dewhirst

Tel: +44(0) 1582 539000
Fax: +44(0) 1582 539090
E-mail: enquiries@nqa.com
Website: www.nqa.com

Scotland:
1^st Floor
Craigievar House
77 Craigmount Brae
Edinburgh
EH12 8XF

Tel: +44 (0)131 317 8444
Fax: +44 (0)131 317 1250

Central:
Unit 2B
Frank Foley Way
Greyfriars Business Park
Stafford
ST16 2ST

Tel: +44 (0)1785 228288
Fax: +44 (0)1785 225234

Southern:
Minton Place
Station Road
Swindon
SN1 1DA

Tel: 08000 52 2424
Fax: +44 (0)1793 422465

Northern Ireland:
Office 2
Ballymena Business Development Centre
Galgorm Industrial Estate
62 Fenaghy Road
Galgorm
Ballymena
BT42 1FL

Tel: +44 (0)28 2564 4699
Fax: +44 (0)28 2564 4977

NQA, USA Inc:
4 Post Office Square Road
Acton
MA 01720
USA

Tel: +1 978 635 9256
Fax: +1 978 263 0785
E-mail: customerservice@nqa-usa.com

China:
Shanghai NQA Certification Co Ltd
Room 15-1
No 985 Dongfang Road
Pudong New Zone
Shanghai 200122
Peoples Republic of China

Tel: +86 21 50810246/50814116
Fax: +86 21 58304013

Accredited scope of National Quality Assurance Ltd (NQA):