The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015

[F1 PART 4 E+W+S Module E: Conformity to type based on product quality assurance

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2A inserted (E.W.S.) (31.12.2020) by The Product Safety and Metrology etc. (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/696), reg. 1, Sch. 19 para. 39 (with Sch. 19 para. 36) (as amended by S.I. 2020/676, regs. 1(1), 2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

1.   Conformity to type based on product quality assurance is that part of a conformity assessment procedure whereby the manufacturer fulfils the obligations laid down in points 2 and 5, and ensures and declares on his sole responsibility that the pyrotechnic articles concerned are in conformity with the type described in the Type examination certificate and satisfy the requirements of these Regulations that apply to them. E+W+S

2.   Manufacturing E+W+S

The manufacturer shall operate an approved quality system for final product inspection and testing of the pyrotechnic articles concerned as specified in point 3 and shall be subject to surveillance as specified in point 4.

3.   Quality system E+W+S

3.1.   The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with the approved body of his choice for the pyrotechnic articles concerned. E+W+S

The application shall include the following information:

(a) the name and address of the manufacturer;

(b) a written declaration that the same application has not been lodged with any other approved body;

(c) all relevant information for the pyrotechnic article category envisaged;

(d) the documentation concerning the quality system;

(e) the technical documentation of the approved type and a copy of the Type examination certificate.

3.2.   The quality system shall ensure compliance of the pyrotechnic articles with the type described in the Type examination certificate and with the applicable requirements of these Regulations. E+W+S

All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:

(a) the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to product quality;

(b) the examinations and tests that will be carried out after manufacture;

(c) the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, qualification reports on the personnel concerned, etc.;

(d) the means of monitoring the effective operation of the quality system.

3.3.   The approved body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2. E+W+S

It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant designated standard.

In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant product field and product technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of these Regulations. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer's premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point 3.1(e), in order to verify the manufacturer's ability to identify the relevant requirements of these Regulations and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the pyrotechnic article with those requirements.

The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision.

3.4.   The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient. E+W+S

3.5.   The manufacturer shall keep the approved body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system. E+W+S

The approved body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a reassessment is necessary.

It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision.

4.   Surveillance under the responsibility of the approved body E+W+S

4.1.   The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system. E+W+S

4.2.   The manufacturer shall, for assessment purposes, allow the approved body access to the manufacture, inspection, testing and storage sites and shall provide it with all necessary information, in particular: E+W+S

(a) the quality system documentation;

(b) the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, qualification reports on the personnel concerned, etc.

4.3.   The approved body shall carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and shall provide the manufacturer with an audit report. E+W+S

4.4.   In addition, the approved body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. During such visits the approved body may, if necessary, carry out product tests, or have them carried out, in order to verify that the quality system is functioning correctly. The approved body shall provide the manufacturer with a visit report and, if tests have been carried out, with a test report. E+W+S

5.   UK marking and declaration of conformity E+W+S

5.1.   The manufacturer shall affix the UK marking, and, under the responsibility of the approved body referred to in point 3.1, the latter's identification number to each individual pyrotechnic article that is in conformity with the type described in the Type examination certificate and satisfies the applicable requirements of these Regulations. E+W+S

5.2.   The manufacturer shall draw up a written declaration of conformity for each product model and keep it at the disposal of the national authorities for 10 years after the pyrotechnic article has been placed on the market. The declaration of conformity shall identify the pyrotechnic article for which it has been drawn up. E+W+S

A copy of the declaration of conformity shall be made available to the relevant authorities upon request.

6.   The manufacturer shall, for a period ending 10 years after the pyrotechnic article has been placed on the market, keep at the disposal of the national authorities: E+W+S

(a) the documentation referred to in point 3.1;

(b) the information relating to the change referred to in point 3.5, as approved;

(c) the decisions and reports of the approved body referred to in points 3.5, 4.3 and 4.4.

7.   Each approved body shall inform the Secretary of State of quality system approvals issued or withdrawn, and shall, periodically or upon request, make available to the Secretary of State the list of quality system approvals refused, suspended or otherwise restricted. E+W+S

Each approved body shall inform the other approved bodies of quality system approvals which it has refused, suspended or withdrawn, and, upon request, of quality system approvals which it has issued.]