Updates from the President, Bud Weightman
API Standard 20M, Qualification of Suppliers of Machining Services for Use in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries
I am the Chairman of this Task Group; the Task Group has been underway since late 2015. The 20M Standard is intended for the qualification of machining service companies that perform all types of machining for the Oil & Gas Industry.
20M is intended to alleviate supplier audits by the equipment manufacturers. It includes 3 levels of Machining Qualification Levels: MQL 1, MQL 2 and MQL 3. Here are some highlights of the 3 levels:
- MQL 1 – intended for machining services companies that machine customer owned materials and/or products. MQL 1 suppliers will be required to meet approximately 11 quality management system requirements that have been specifically tailored for machine shops. MQL 1 suppliers cannot purchase materials or outsource services.
- MQL 2 – intended for machining services that have a more robust quality management system that meets ISO 9001 requirements, including select additional requirements as identified by 20M’s quality management system requirements. MQL 2 machining services suppliers may purchase raw materials and outsource service, but only from customer approved suppliers.
- MQL 3 – intended for machining services that meet the extended requirements of API Spec. Q1 requirements, including select additional requirements as identified by 20M’s quality management system requirements. MQL 3 machining services suppliers may purchase raw materials or outsource services.
20M will allow MQL 1 machining services suppliers to issue a declaration of conformity to the requirements specified therein. MQL 2 and MQL 3 machining services suppliers are eligible to engage with API under API Quality Registrars for a quality management system certification to ISO 9001 and/or Q1 respectively, as the need dictates.
The 20M draft was finalized Jan 27, 2017 and is going out for ballot.
Bud Weightman, President of QSI, is an international management systems expert involved with management and technical systems for over 40 years. As President of QSI, Bud is involved with the industry committees responsible for emerging requirements, including: revision of API specifications, leading various API Task Groups, and lead auditor for the accreditation of SEMS Audit Providers through the Center for Offshore Safety. Bud’s experience includes working with ISO 9000, ISO 14000, OHSAS 18000 management systems and with industry-specific certification schemes such as API Q1 and Q2, AS9100, ASME systems and numerous other standards.
