For Suppliers read Suppliers/Manufacturers

1.  What is the timeline for go live of the new standards?
   BSI has now agreed a new GIS and a sister Kitemark Protocol:- 
1. The first date BSI will accept an application for the scheme will be 09/10/06
2. From 16/04/07 the GDN’s will in their new contracts require all products to be Kitemark certified
   
   Update Oct 08 - In awarding of new contracts, GDN's will expect to see evidence of compliance with Gas Industry Standards by the compnay concerned having the BSi kitemark for that particular item.  Where the BSi kitemark has not been obtained, companies are expected to supply thier plans to achieve this status.
2. Are we asking suppliers to self certify to the standards?
   No.  The GDN’s require suppliers/manufacturers to gain a Kitemark through the BSI.  This is achieved by means of an evaluation of previous assessments combined with independent testing as required and further assessment of the manufacturer’s ability to continually supply the product whilst conforming to ISO9001. Refer also to Q11.
3. Are the suppliers expected to adopt the new standards as soon as they are released? Oct 08 - Under Review
   Any existing Transco approved product that is purchased under an existing contract must be Kitemark certified by the time a new contract for that product is awarded, or within 6 months from the 16th October 2006, whichever is the greater.
   Details of the certification fee structure attributable to suppliers, is available on the BSi website.
   In addition there is an expectation that suppliers will voluntarily obtain a Kitemark within 6 months from the 16th October 2006 of a GIS being published.
   In the case of new contracts commencing after the 1st April 2007, the 4 GDN’s will only purchase products that have been Kitemark certified as conforming to the initial set of GIS  i.e those being implemented in October 2006
   A supplier/manufacturer supplying to existing standards should be able to supply to the GIS equivalent.  However there may be some minor changes required due to the clarification of requirements and the updating of reference standards which may have an effect on the materials used or available. These changes are expected to be marginal and consequently the transition to the new standards should be easily managed
4. What is the process for Kitemark certification?
   The slides published here provide an overview of the process
5. What is the Charging Mechanism?
   There is an application fee followed by an assessment fee set at a day rate. If there is any type testing the supplier is also charged for this. Once you have a Kitemark Licence you are charged an annual Licence fee, plus on site assessment fees and audit testing fees. These are very scheme dependent and BSi are happy to provide no obligation quotes
   A lower set of fees and audit and assessment requirements may apply for low volume suppliers to gain the Kitemark.
6. Has the process for Legacy Agreements / Grandfather Rights / Letters of approval been confirmed?
   Yes, the BSI Kitemark certification process does take into account all of the above.
7. What will the process be for concessions and where will these be recorded?
   Products not conforming to the GIS will not be granted a Kitemark Licence. The Kitemark process allows for no concessions against the GIS.
   This does not stop GDNs accepting products outside a GIS; however the risk is then accepted by the GDN
8. What will the process be for reporting product failures and how will the GDN’s be aware of failures in the wider industry?
   As part of the governance arrangements for the scheme the GDNs have established a coordinating group for the reporting and collating of such instances.
9. Are a new suite of procedures going to be produced to confirm the process for approvals, concessions, failures etc?
   GDNs will establish their contractual requirements. Kitemark certification has its own set of process to establish conformity, to deal with serious product or system failure by suspending a Kitemark Licence where the information may be shared with the GDNs through the governance arrangements. There is also a cancellation procedure for Kitemark certification.
10. Will we still need Business Quality Assurance (BQA) visits to suppliers under these arrangements?
    It is expected this role will be undertaken by staff employed by BSI as part of the process.
11. What has happened / is planned in terms of supplier communications?
    There will be an initial communication to make the industry aware of the changes, why they are taking place and when they will take place. 
12. Do all suppliers need to be ISO9001 registered, or equivalent, to gain a Kitemark?
    The supplier needs to have a quality management system which complies with ISO 9001 and/or the quality plan requirements of the Kitemark Protocol. The Quality Management System does not have to be independently registered.
13. What is the process for change / revision of the standards (including frequency)?
    A high level process has been agreed for dealing with change and governance of the scheme, which relies heavily on the agreement of the stakeholders and has the full support of the GDN's and signed off by the Gas Network  Collaboration Forum.
14. Where can I get access to the standards?
    All the standards are available at http://www.gasindustrystandards.com
15. Some standards refer to other standards, specifications and reference documents, how do I access these?
    If there is a genuine need to view GDN owned referenced documents or sections of the documents then please submit a request via the email address gas.distribution@bsi-global.com
    For all other documentation you will need to contact the relevant organisation.
16. How will I know if I am affected by these changes?
    Manufacturers and suppliers are required to familiarise themselves with the GIS’s and make an assessment as to whether the change is applicable. 
17. How do I apply for a Kitemark?
    Please contact gas.distribution@bsi-global.com They will then provide the information you need.
18. I supply 2 products, only 1 needs a Kitemark, why is this?
    The Gas Industry Standards apply to all gas carrying equipment (pipes and fittings etc); all tools for working directly on gas carrying equipment (electrofusion boxes, bead removal tools etc) and gas specific associated equipment (gas detection equipment etc) within the gas distribution field; it does not include Metering (i.e downstream of the emergency control valve) or Transmission (the pipe network operating >7bar)
19. I already Kitemark to another standard, why do I need to Kitemark to this standard as well?
    If your product holds a Kitemark Licence for another standard, BSI has to evaluate if it complies with the GIS. If this is the case BSI extend the scope of the existing Kitemark Licence to cover the GIS. Following the certification fee the supplier is not charged any extra for the annual Kitemark Licence fees and the assessment fees. There may be extra audit testing fees.
20. I have a range of products which comply to one GIS how many Kitemark license do I need?
    1. Most Kitemark Licences are issued against one Standard (specification) at one location. e.g.  If a product relating to one standard but is manufactured at two locations the client will have two Kitemark Licences
    2. If a client manufactures at one site only one product complying with a standard or if a different client at one site manufacturers 2000 products complying to a standard they will both only receive one Kitemark Licence each.
    3. If a client manufactures a range of products at one location which complies with three standards, the client will have three Kitemark Licences.
    4. If a product complies or group of products complies with a number of Standards at one location it may be possible to issue one Kitemark Licence to certify the product e.g. safety glass will normally comply with at least three standards currently. Some valves will have use in the oil and water industries and comply to two different standards but will only have one Kitemark Licence.
21. I manufacture my products in China can I still apply for a Kitemark Licence?
    Yes. BSI assessors in China will normally perform the assessment, but the technical evaluation will be performed by the BSI Scheme Manager
22. I have a question about the process of change, the Standards or the Kitemark process, who do I contact?
    BSI has agreed to establish an e-mail point to act as a conduit for all questions regarding this process even if the question is directed at the GDNs. The address of this e mail is gas.distribution@bsi-global.com