Quality and Audit programme (QAP) - latest news
Revision of the rating system used in QAP audits
21 February 2023
The EDANA QAP working group, in close cooperation with BSI, has decided to revise the rating sheet that is used by the auditor to calculate the overall score. The key consideration for doing this is the discrepancy between the overall score (often in the high 90’s) and the number and nature of the non-conformities identified. It’s important to note that there is no defined minimum score, no pass-fail limit. Converters make their own assessment based on the report, not on the rating only.
After all there appears to be a need for a rating system, as auditees like to have a concrete result coming out of the audit.
The definitions of the non-conformities (C/D, major, critical) remain unchanged. But, as off February 2024, the calculation is different, simplified, resulting in a rating between 0 and 100% points. The members of the working group have the believe this new rating better reflects the overall audit result.
This implies that the rating of audits conducted as off this month are likely to be lower than before. Please bear in mind this has no impact on past audits, one cannot compare ratings from the past with new ratings.
EDANA Board approved QAP
2 December 2021
In the board meeting on Dec 2, 2021 the Board decided to approve the QAP. The QAP WG has been mandated to prepare the launch of this tool to be used between suppliers and converters in the hygiene industry. The QAP WG is making an effort to streamline the communication to adequately inform what the programme is about and how to participate, but is also working together with BSI to streamline the operational procedures about joining the programme and using it, both for suppliers and converters.
2nd Round of pilot audits has been concluded
10 November 2021
The EDANA Quality and Audit Programme (QAP) is about to be finalised after the successful completion of the second round of pilot audits. The last audit took place during the week of INDEX, at a film plant, where another auditor became qualified. The QAP Working group, with the support of senior industry leaders, is preparing the launch of the programme.
Successful second round of pilot audits run for the EDANA Quality and Audit Programme
3 August 2021
The EDANA Quality and Audit Programme (QAP) is further progressing with a second round of pilot audits now well underway.
The project, initially devised in late 2017, was crystallised at a workshop in March 2018 where unanimous member support for initiative was shown.
In spring 2019 the EDANA standard was released for the pilot audit and a cooperation was established with BSI, a global and leading organisation active in the field of standardisation and auditing.
The first round of pilot audits took place in the 2nd half of 2019 and the initiative was made public in October of that year when Dominiek Tytgat of Ontex and EDANA’s Director of Scientific and Technical Affairs, Marines Lagemaat presented the project at OUTLOOK.
Regular operational improvements were made to the programme throughout 2020, in particular relating to auditor selection, training and qualification. A number of pilots were postponed due to the pandemic.
In 2021 the QAP Working Group (WG) agreed to continue the programme, conducting the pilot audits online, following the example of many other auditing bodies.
In May this year the first pilot audit of the second round was held at a nonwoven production site of a leading manufacturer in Europe.
Further pilots were held in June and July with a 4th one running from the 16th to the 18th of August.
These audits demonstrated the value of the improvements made since launch, boosting the team’s confidence in the process!
The QAP WG anticipated this when publishing a short presentation on the EDANA website that is used by stakeholders to convince suppliers to participate.
Following this second round of pilots, a decision to ‘go live’ with the programme will be made by the working group in the autumn.
For further information on the QAP project please contact EDANA’s Director of Scientific and Technical Affairs, Marines Lagemaat Marines.Lagemaat@edana.org