Statutory verification

What is statutory verification?

In the context of UK waters, Verification can be defined as:

• It replaces the previous certification regime of SI 289
• it sets in place independent and competent scrutiny of parts judged to be safety critical
• it ensures their appropriate examination to confirm initial suitability
• it provides assurance of their continued satisfactory condition
• it establishes a scheme for the full life-cycle management of such examinations.

To provide the duty holder with an important component of a safety management system in some contexts, verification is the activity of ensuring that an asset is compliant with specific requirements.

How we can help

There are options open to the duty holder as to how the independent and competent body is employed. However the essential requirements are that an ICP be suitably engaged in the following activities:

• Reviewing the record of Safety Critical Elements (SCE), and making comments or reservations.
• The establishment of appropriate standards of performance for the SCEs are the responsibility of the duty holder, however they may use the Independent Competent Party (ICP) to assist in producing them.
• An assessment of SCEs and the development of the means of verification, including breadth and depth of examination of design, inspection and test, examination of work in progress, the type and periodicity of examination, and arrangements incidental to the examinations i.e. a suitable written scheme of verification.
• The assessment of suitability of SCEs by design review and survey, as appropriate, of the structure, facilities and equipment against the defined standards of performance.
• Provision of arrangements for review and revision of scheme.
• Provision of arrangements for recording the results of examinations, findings, and recommendations.
• Provision of arrangements for implementation or close-out of recommendations.
• Provision of arrangements for communicating between verification activities and the projects Safety Management System (SMS) whilst the Safety Case is prepared.
• Overall management of the verification scheme, audit trails, records and certificates, reports to management.

Verification encompasses the following stages of an installations life:

• Design
• Construction
• Installation
• Commissioning
• Operation
• Abandonment

What are the benefits?

In some contexts verification by an ICP is a mandatory requirement. In other circumstances verification gives confidence to stakeholders in the performance of an asset.

Verification provides:

• Compliance with statutory requirements
• provides greater flexibility for the client by enabling them to regulate themselves
• provides a key component of the duty holder/operators safety management system
• may be used to satisfy insurance requirements.

What next

If you would like to progress your enquiry further please choose one of the following: