In this Industry Insight series, Bud Weightman discusses his recent attendance at the American Petroleum Institute’s 2021 Winter Standardization Conference, held virtually on January 21st, 2021. Bud’s primary focus was on subcommittee updates and news from the API Monogram Program:

• SC18 – Subcommittee on Quality
• SC20 – Subcommittee on Supply Chain Management
• The API Monogram Program / APIQR Forum and News

To view all API Standardization Conference updates, visit the API Insider page.

Remote Audits

Overview

• API has performed more than 900 remote audits due to COVID-19
• Onsite audits are preferred
• Audits eligible for remote audit include Initial, Surveillance and Renewal/Recertification
• Programs eligible for remote audits include Monogram, Spec Q1, Spec Q2 and ISO 9001
• Remote audit eligibility to be extended to June 2021

Eligibility

• Be operational while maintaining the capability to execute the activities within the scope of their Monogram License(s) and/or Certificate(s) of Registration
• Have personnel subject to interviews onsite to facilitate connectivity and access to documents and records
• Provide live streaming for product realization activities
• Ensure that all employees, contractors and consultants who would be present during the audit have consented to participation in the video conference
• Have capability to facilitate web conferencing technology such as Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom Meetings, GoTo Meeting, etc.

COVID-19 Related Updates

• Facilities unable to undergo an audit will be put in Inactive status
• Duration increased up to 12 months
• ISO certifications can only be extended if the recertification audit has been conducted

Annex A Update

A decision has been made to remove Annex A, API Monogram Program, Use of the API Monogram by Licensees out of all API Monogram Program Product Specifications.  Annex A will only be included in API Spec Q1.

Update on API Advisories

Advisory 3

Advisory 3 was updated to reflect clarifications related to licensee’s consultants and their interactions with the API.

Advisory 6

Advisory 6 has been revised, several products have been removed.  Effective July 1, 2021, several products will require design:

Advisory 12

Advisory 12 relates to the outsourcing of single-piece products; it is currently being finalized.  See QSI’s API Winter Standardization Conference 2019, “Product Specification Changes”.  This provides a high-level review of the issues causing concerns in the industry.

API Licensing and Certification Activities

Here are some interesting statistics:

Republished Past Articles

Citing of API Documents in Federal, State and International Regulations

The API reported that API documents have been cited in 4,785 federal, state and international regulations. 

What impact could this have on your quality management system?

An association could easily be drawn between the quality management system and:

• The identification and evaluation of statutory and/or regulatory documents as specified by Q1, section 4.4.4 Use of External Documents in Product Realization
• Whether or not statutory and regulatory requirements have been considered in processes such as design input, product realization and purchasing

Linkage to Q1

Next API Standardization Conference

The 2021 Summer Exploration and Production Standards Conference on Oilfield Equipment and Materials is scheduled for June 07, 2021 to June 11, 2021.

When the time nears, check the API Events Calendar for more information and the selected venue.