7A

Any reference in these Regulations to a verification scheme is a reference to a suitable written scheme for ensuring, by means described in paragraph (7B), that the safety-critical elements—

a

are or, where they remain to be provided, will be suitable; and

b

where they have been provided, remain in good repair and condition.

7B

The means referred to in paragraph (7A) are—

a

examination, including testing where appropriate, of the safety-critical elements by independent and competent persons;

b

examination of any design, specification, certificate, CE marking or other document, marking or standard relating to those elements by such persons;

c

examination by such persons of work in progress;

d

the taking of appropriate action following reports by such persons;

e

the taking of such other steps as may properly be provided for pursuant to regulation 15B and Schedule 9; and

f

the taking of any steps incidental to the means described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e) of this paragraph.

7C

For the purposes of paragraph (7B) and regulations 15A and 15C a person shall be regarded as independent only where—

a

his function will not involve the consideration by him of an aspect, of a thing liable to be examined, for which he bears or has borne such responsibility as might compromise his objectivity; and

b

he will be sufficiently independent of a management system, or of a part thereof, which bears or has borne any responsibility for an aspect, which he might consider, of a thing liable to be examined, to ensure that he will be objective in discharging his function.