API Spec. Q1 Certification
For companies seeking API Spec. Q1 certification, we offer full-service certification assistance to get you in compliance.Certification
In the oil and gas industry, certification to API Spec. Q1 remains one of most prestigious certifications in the industry. Q1 certification demonstrates the robustness of your quality management system by building upon ISO 9001 requirements to create a more risk-based approach to quality management. While ISO 9001:2015 addresses the subject of risk and other critical QMS areas, in addition to these requirements, Q1 certification motivates manufacturers to further institute controls for:
The American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute’s certification programs provide the opportunity for companies in the oil and natural gas industry to meet global demands and to operate in an increasingly competitive business environment. Today, organizations must demonstrate that they can consistently meet customer requirements and international standards through API certification.
API Monogram Program
Organizations registering under the API Monogram Program are required to:
♦ Prove that they have “capability” to API specified requirements
♦ Develop and maintain a quality manual that describes their quality management system and how it conforms to the requirements of API Spec Q1
♦ Submit quality management system application
♦ Submit a signed API Licensing Agreement
♦ Submit an agreement for the specific API product specification(s) to which they wish to be licensed
♦ Operate under their documented quality management system for 4 months prior to receiving an API audit
♦ Perform and document an internal audit
♦ Perform and document a management review
Your Competitive Advantage
There are clear, empirical competitive advantages for manufacturing companies that implement the Q1 standard for their quality management:
Certification Solutions
QSI offers a proven path to certification, backed by numerous years of industry experience. Whether your quality management system is in need of major or minor changes, our approach helps to foster quality commitment within your organization from the top down. QSI supports companies nationally and internationally to successfully license to API product specifications (e.g., 2C, 4F, 5CT, 5L, 6A, 6D, 6DSS, 7-1, 8C, 10A, etc.) and certify to quality specifications (e.g., API Q1, ISO TS29001, ISO 9001).
With QSI, your path to certification and compliance comes with various levels of technical assistance and support. Our consulting services include:
♦ Software setup and deployment
♦ Employee training in software modules and procedures
♦ Data imports of all existing documentation
♦ Ongoing system support and software upgrades
Implementation and Integration
Because many oil and gas companies choose to integrate their Q1 certification with other management system standards, such as ISO 9001:2015, QSI provides services that help make this implementation and integration seamless. Companies may choose to integrate Q1 with:
Benefits of API Spec. Q1 Certification
♦ Reduce cost
♦ Improve operational efficiency, productivity, and product reliability
♦ Customer satisfaction - meet customer requirements
♦ Access to new markets
♦ Increase market share and sales
♦ Meet statutory and regulatory requirements
♦ Increased environmental benefit
Why O&G Suppliers Should Go Beyond ISO 9001:2015
O&G companies are beginning to push Q1 requirements down to their suppliers. ISO 9001:2015 provides a basis for quality management system requirements, but suppliers should highly consider gaining Q1 certification in addition to ISO 9001 because Q1 was specifically designed for the O&G industry.
For example, while a quality manual is not a requirement in ISO 9001:2015, it is required in Q1 and is essential for:
♦ Gaining a high-level understanding of your degree of quality management system competence and understanding
♦ Providing O&G customers a level of assurance that you understand basic quality management system requirements
♦ Allowing the QMS requirements to be flowed-down cross-functionally (all departments, all locations) throughout your organization
Customer Testimonial
“Special thanks to our quality team for their expertise on making this certification possible.“
ISO 9001:2015
API Spec. Q1
API Spec. Q2
API Lead Auditor
Learn the latest. Stay competitive with training.
QSI and API
QSI is experienced in API product specifications and can assist your company in the following areas:
♦ Submitting the API Monogram Program application
♦ Performing internal quality audits
♦ Assisting with analysis of data
♦ Assisting with management reviews
♦ Suspensions
♦ Cancellations
♦ Act as the intermediary to API
Popular Software Apps for Compliance
Which software apps do most companies value to effectively track their quality management system?
Key QMS Software Features
Improve Your QMS Efficiency
QSI's web-based quality management software comes loaded with over 20 applications that help you leverage and streamline your business processes. The software applications easily integrate with each other so your QMS stays compliant and runs efficiently. Easily integrate processes, such as:
Risk Management
Change Management
Nonconformance Reporting
Corrective and Preventive Action, and much more
Measure Effectiveness.
Know exactly what's going on in all aspects of your management system. Real-time dashboards give you great visibility and insight. With dashboard reports, you can identify your company's opportunity for improvement and steadily decrease systemic issues, including corrective actions, customer returns or complaints, and audit deficiencies.
Dashboard reports allow you to analyze data and identify trends. For example, view your company's gradual decrease in nonconformities, and watch your company improve its efficiency over time.
Instant Visibility.
Instantly access all your documentation at the click of a mouse with our self-hosted, web-based QMS portal. All information is stored on our secure servers, eliminating the need for expensive IT costs and implementation. Get visibility to all areas of your QMS, across all your departments and locations world wide - no matter your company size.
Hassle no more during an audit. With quick search and record retrieval, our software allows you to quickly access your QMS documentation without flipping though mounds of paperwork. The system also comes pre-configured with various sort and filter options, which can also be customized to meet your needs.
Get Notifications. Track Due Dates.
Track due dates with interactive calendar management. Get email notifications of key due dates, such as:
Calibration / maintenance due dates
Expired vendors
CAPA / NCR approval and assignment
Training notifications
All the software applications you need to manage your compliance.
Our Reputation.
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 9001, ISO 14000, and OHSAS 18000 management systems, as well as industry-specific certification schemes such as API Q1 and Q2, AS9100, ASME systems, and numerous other standards.