Consultancy
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Testing Performance Standards Fitness for Purpose Product Safety Assessment Inspections Inter-laboratory correlations Quality Management Systems Social Systems |
Need help with understanding
UK or European Regulations.
Find out what tests are required to satisfy your target market
Find a test lab who can perform the required testing
Take the trouble out of sourcing equipment for your own laboratory
Keep quality manuals and performance specifications up to date with
ever-changing test method references
Advice on good laboratory practice and/or complying with ISO 17025 requirements
With over 20 years laboratory experience, Alan Ross Consulting can help you sort it out. From strength to stability, fastness to flammability, durability to drape ...we can provide you with advice and assistance on sourcing, conducting the testing, and interpreting the test results.
Even if there are no recognised test methods for your products, Alan Ross Consulting can help you develop new test methods to establish the safety, fitness for purpose, and performance of your products. We have experience in a wide range of consumer markets ... from fireworks to footballs, clothing to candles, carrier bags to carpets.
From a one-off jobs and projects to monthly support (by retainer), Alan Ross Consulting can provide you with an effective solution to your problem.
Fed up with customers demanding to
know what you can guarantee in performance before they'll place an order?
Can't get your suppliers to provide consistent quality to meet your needs?
Perhaps the problem is communication of your 'quality standard' with your supply chain or customers?
Let Alan Ross Consulting assist you with developing your own range of performance standards for both goods purchased and goods sold. Over the last 15 years I have helped many companies produce their own quality manuals and performance specifications.
The European General Product Safety Directive 2005 requires that all products sold to consumers are 'safe'. But what is safe? How is it defined? What do you do if there are no agreed test methods? How can I show 'due diligence'?
Design safety in to your products at every stage from the original design concept to the manufacture of the final product! Avoid unnecessary setbacks when time costs money ... and maybe even lost customers. The 2005 Directive came into effect on 1st October 2005 and gave more power to the enforcement agencies than previously.
Alan Ross Consulting can help you assess your product for safety and assist you in ensuring you have exercised 'due diligence'.
Even if a product is safe (see above), is it fit for purpose and of merchantable quality? In today's society, we are increasingly seeing professional products sold in a domestic market and conversely domestic items used for business and corporate end-uses. But are these products suitable for the intended market? What if conventional test methods just don't go far enough in predicting performance or your product doesn't fit into the test regime defined in the performance specification?
Are fashion garments
suitable for use in a corporate uniform?
Will the bottom fall out of the carrier bag whilst taking your shopping home?
Will the home gym equipment withstand the rigours of regular use over their
intended
lifetime?
Is your upholstered furniture suitable for your family's use?
Alan Ross Consulting has access to many specialist testing facilities and years of experience assisting customers avoid costly litigation and helping to reduce customer returns. Even if you do end up in a dispute which requires legal action, Alan Ross Consulting can help you. Click here for more about my Expert Witness services
Alan Ross Consulting can carry out inspections of many different consumer products, from garments and soft furnishings, to floor coverings, plastic products, toys, etc. If you have an inspection and you need an independent opinion, Alan Ross Consulting can help you.
Sampling can be carried out in accordance with BS 6001-1, (identical to ISO 2859-1 and equivalent to MIL-STD) or against any other sampling scheme provided.
Alan Ross Consulting can also provide training and assistance with inspections, explaining how sampling schemes work, what is AQL, the difference between single, double and multiple sampling schemes, etc. If you need inspections carrying out then let Alan Ross Consulting help you.
Inter-laboratory or intra-laboratory correlations provide a valuable means of benchmarking technical expertise in testing. Without a benchmark, can you be assured that your technical staff are providing accurate results which will correlate with the wider testing community. Many tests which involve subjective assessment (e.g. colour fastness, pilling or appearance retention of textiles) can give rise to significant commercial implications if the test result is disputed by a third party.
Alan Ross Consulting can provide support and assistance in evaluating your in-house laboratory and/or staff's technical expertise. Get your results in line with those of the major commercial testing houses.
Thinking about ISO 9000:2000? Do
you want a quality management system but don't know where to start? Alan Ross is
trained as a Lead Auditor for ISO 9000:2000. We can provide you with an initial
consultation to help you evaluate whether ISO 9000 is for you.
Alan Ross Consulting
can assist you develop your quality management system so that it complies with
the requirements of ISO 9000:2000.
Are you a laboratory? Alan Ross can help you establish a quality system meeting
the requirements of ISO 17025:2005.
Are you a commercial launderer? Let Alan Ross Consulting help you establish quality systems which meet the requirements of EN14065:2002 "Laundry processed textiles - biocontamination control system"
In addition, Alan Ross Consulting can undertake first or second party audits of your quality management system
Are you an 'ethical' or 'corporately social responsible' company? Are your customers asking you to meet their ethical standards? Do you need help understanding what 'social accountability' is all about?
Alan Ross is trained as a Lead
Auditor for Social Systems (including ETI Base Code and SA 8000) and can help you develop your own
social system and/or carry out 1st/2nd party audits of your supply chain for compliance with social system.
Health & Safety Training and Consultancy
Do you need help in understanding health and safety? Are you a small business who doesn't have the knowledge to ensure you meet your legal obligations to your workers and to your customers? Do you need help carrying out risk assessment or developing a Safety Policy? Alan Ross Consulting can help you with a range of services including training courses and consultancy designed to help you.
© Alan Ross Consulting 2005