About the Transition to ISO/IEC 22003:2022 Standard!

Standard of Requirements for Organizations Providing Certification of Food Safety Management Systems ISO 22003-1:2022, was published in June 2022. 

Certification bodies that provide ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System certification are required to complete their transition to ISO/IEC 22003:2022 by 31 December 2024.

In this context, all our customers certified by our organization on ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System must complete the audit activities until 30.06.2025, we bring to the attention of the relevant parties.

You can contact our System Certıfıcatıon department for detailed information about the changes.

What is the Gas Appliances Regulation (2016/426/EU)?

2016/426/EU Gas Appliances Regulation (GAR) was created by the European Union (EU) to determine the standards regarding the safety and placing on the market of gas appliances. This regulation imposes certain requirements to ensure that gas appliances and their associated equipment are produced and used in a safety, health and environmentally friendly manner. GAR aims to protect the safety of consumers and the environment by regulating the design, production, performance and conformity assessment processes of gas appliances.

Importance of Gas Appliance Tests

The safety of gas appliances is of paramount importance to both users and the environment. Testing these appliances is a critical step to ensure that they operate safely and efficiently. Testing processes evaluate the performance of appliances under various operating conditions and identify potential hazards in advance. Criteria such as gas leaks, combustion efficiency, emission levels and mechanical durability are the main focal points of these tests.

Testing gas appliances not only ensures the safety of users, but also minimises environmental impact by improving energy efficiency. These tests verify that the appliances comply with regulatory standards and regulations. Thus, it offers the highest quality in terms of safety and performance.

CE Certification and Advantages in the Market

CE certification indicates that a product complies with the health, safety and environmental protection requirements of the European Union. Obtaining CE certification for gas appliances means certifying that the product complies with GAR and other relevant directives. This certificate proves that the product complies with European standards in terms of quality and safety.

Products with CE certification have significant advantages in the market:

Compliance with Eco-Design Directives and Standards

Eco-Design directives and standards cover a set of requirements set by the European Union to improve the environmental performance of products. These directives and standards aim to minimise energy efficiency, resource use and environmental impact. Gas appliances are also covered by the Eco-Design directives and compliance with the standards improves the sustainability and energy efficiency of appliances.

Products compliant with Eco-Design directives and standards provide cost savings to consumers and minimise environmental impacts by reducing energy consumption. These standards make a significant contribution to a sustainable future by improving the environmental performance of appliances throughout their lifecycle.

Laboratory and Accreditation

Our laboratory is accredited by TÜRKAK within the scope of EN ISO/IEC 17025 to ensure high standards in the testing and evaluation processes of gas appliances. This accreditation guarantees the technical competence of our laboratory and the reliability of test results. EN ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation is an indicator that the laboratory operates in accordance with internationally recognised standards and provides high quality service.

Main Product Groups We Serve

Our laboratory provides testing and evaluation services for various gas appliances and equipment. The main product groups we serve are as follows:

• Household Cooking Appliances: Ovens, hobs and other household cooking appliances.
• Commercial Cooking Appliances: Industrial cooking equipment for large-scale kitchens and restaurants.
• Commercial Cooling Systems: Large-scale cooling systems designed for industrial use.
• Regulators : Fittings that regulate gas pressure and ensure safety.

The safety and performance of gas appliances are critical for both users and the environment. CE certification and compliance with Eco-Design standards ensure the safe and efficient use of these appliances, while the accredited services of our laboratory guarantee testing and evaluation processes of the highest standards. In this way, we contribute to the competitive positioning of gas appliances on the market.

 

Gas Appliances Department Manager

Burak Çalışkan

THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCREDITATION IN MACHINE CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Nowadays, conformity assessment activities in machines have changed. This is mainly due to developing technology and increasingly important standards. As Szutest Machinery Department, we call this process new generation machine conformity assessment activities.

Based on this context, an institution that carries out machine conformity assessment activities must first be accredited by the European Commission and then by our accreditation body, the Turkish Accreditation Agency, which is affiliated with our relevant ministry. Therefore, the notified body carries out and reports the necessary examinations and tests regarding the standards under the regulation for which it is accredited. Based on this logic, services such as PL verification and ESPE measurements performed within the scope of EN 13849-1 and EN 13855 standards, which have become increasingly important on machines recently, should also be performed by organizations accredited in the relevant regulation.

The importance of accreditation in machinery conformity assessment activities should be considered from several aspects.

Reliability and Trust: An accredited organization has a structure that independently verifies compliance with a certain standard or guideline and gives credibility to this verification. Therefore, assessment results by an accredited organization are generally considered more reliable.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance: In some countries, testing and certification by accredited organizations are required to evaluate certain products or processes. Accreditation is important to comply with such legal and regulatory requirements.

International Acceptance and Recognition: Accredited organizations generally operate in accordance with international standards and thus have the advantage of being recognized and accepted internationally. This may facilitate the entry of products or processes into international markets.

Quality and Process Management: The accreditation process can help organizations improve their processes and quality management systems. Accreditation criteria can provide organizations with a framework for continuous improvement and strengthening quality assurance systems.

Consumer and Corporate Trust: Certifications or reports issued by an accredited organization can create a reliable reference for consumers and other business partners. This can provide an advantage in market competition and increase customer satisfaction.

Potential harms of non-accredited organizations performing conformity assessment on machines may include:

Reliability Issues: There may be doubts about the reliability of evaluations made by non-accredited organizations. These organizations may not be able to fully implement quality control procedures required by certain standards or guidelines.

Legal Issues: In some countries, testing and certification by accredited organizations are legally required to evaluate certain products or machines. Certificates issued by a non-accredited organization may not be valid for legal compliance and this may lead to legal problems.

Deficiencies in Quality Standards: Non-accredited organizations may be inadequate to ensure compliance with national or international quality standards. This may result in products or machines not meeting expected standards in terms of safety, performance and quality.

Cost Increase and Inefficiency: Documents obtained as a result of the certification or evaluation processes of non-accredited organizations may not be accepted in international markets. This can make commercial acceptance of products or machines difficult and therefore lead to increased costs or operating inefficiencies.

Loss of Customer Trust: Certificates or evaluation reports issued by a non-accredited organization may cause loss of trust in customers. Customers may have concerns about the conformity of products or machines to certain standards, which may negatively affect sales.

When a notified body carries out conformity assessment activities on machines, it does not care which brand or model of components the manufacturer or designer uses. What he is interested in is whether that component has undergone a conformity assessment activity or not. An accredited notified body does not pursue any purpose other than conformity assessment activity.

As a result, accreditation in machine conformity assessment activities brings many important advantages such as reliability, legal compliance, international acceptance, quality management and consumer confidence. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors when researching and evaluating an organization’s accreditation. Conformity assessment of machines by non-accredited organizations may cause problems in important areas such as reliability, legal compliance, quality standards and customer confidence. For this reason, choosing accredited organizations in conformity assessment processes will generally be a healthier and more reliable approach.

 

İbrahim Aydeniz

SZUTEST Machinery Department Manager

Low Voltage Directive (LVD) and the Importance of Electrical Safety Tests

The safety of electrical appliances is of great importance for both manufacturers and consumers. The European Union’s Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) is a regulation established to ensure this safety. This regulation sets safety standards for equipment operating at AC voltages between 50V and 1000V and DC voltages between 75V and 1500V. The aim is to minimise electric shock and other potential hazards.

Importance of Electrical Safety Tests

Electrical safety tests are carried out to check whether the appliances comply with certain safety standards. These tests are critical to ensure the safe use of devices and prevent possible accidents. In particular, tests such as electrical insulation, earthing, insulation, overcurrent protection, protection against high voltage are carried out to ensure the safety of the devices.

Advantages of CE Certificate

CE certification indicates that a product complies with European Union directives and can be used safely. Products with CE marking can circulate freely and be placed on the market in the European Economic Area. This gives manufacturers a wide market access. For consumers, the CE marking guarantees that the product is safe, high quality and environmentally friendly.

Accreditation of Our Laboratory and Our Services

Our company offers electrical safety tests as an accredited laboratory under the EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This accreditation provides international recognition of the technical competence of our laboratory and the reliability of test results. The accreditation process shows that our laboratory works to consistently high standards and attaches importance to customer satisfaction.

Product Groups We Serve

Our laboratory carries out electrical safety tests for a wide range of products. These product groups are as follows:

Household Cooking Appliances: Tests are carried out to ensure the safety of devices that we frequently use in our daily lives such as ovens, microwave ovens, hobs.

Industrial Cooking Appliances: Professional cooking appliances used in restaurants, hotels and other commercial kitchens must comply with high safety standards.

Household Refrigerators: Refrigerators used in homes for safe storage of food must be safe and energy efficient.

Industrial Cooling Devices: Commercial refrigeration systems are used in large-scale storage and food preservation processes. Safe and efficient operation of these devices is critical.

Household and Industrial Kitchen Equipment: A variety of kitchen equipment is tested for safe use in both domestic and industrial environments.

Electrical safety tests and CE certification ensure that products are both safe and competitive. Our company, with our accredited laboratory, provides high quality testing services to manufacturers, helping their products to take place safely in the European market. You can contact us to ensure that your products comply with safety standards and gain market advantage.

Gas Appliances  Department Manager

Burak Çalışkan

ISO 9001 is supposed to be revised in 2025. The new version of ISO 9001 is expected to adapt to developments in digital technologies and the evolving risk environment. The new version of ISO 9001 is supposed to be emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making, risk management and continuous improvement.

Most probably, it will include requirements for cybersecurity, data privacy, and the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

By adopting and implementing the new version of ISO 9001, digitalization will be better equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.

It is very important for auditors to be aware of the latest developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning and to get the necessary skills to use these technologies effectively.

By adopting these technologies, auditors can improve their skills and contribute to the organization’s digital transformation journey. Apparently, it seems that the new version will ensure that the processes and systems of businesses will take place at the forefront of technological innovation.

 

System Certification Department Manager

Belma Türkel

Many chemicals are used in the production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). These substances, including heavy metals, can cause serious damage to human health and the ecosystem when they mix with nature. When we consider that the use of EEE and consequently the amount of electronic waste has increased exponentially with the rapidly developing technology, we see that the dimensions of the danger increase even more.

Based on this danger, the European Union (EU) introduced two important regulations for the production of EEEs in 2003. These regulations, including the Restriction of the Use of Certain Harmful Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) and the Control of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE); In addition to limiting the use of harmful substances such as Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) in the production of EEEs, it introduced the technical framework for environmentally friendly recycling of waste EEEs. Within the framework of the RoHS regulation, which has been revised twice, taking into account the technological developments in the process until today, manufacturers are required to declare their compliance with the specified conditions in order to put their products on the market. This declaration, also called the RoHS document, is a prerequisite for EEEs to be placed on the market in Europe and in our country.

ITS SCOPE AND EQUIVALENT IN OUR COUNTRY’S LEGISLATION

The RoHS directive was first transferred to our country’s legislation within the scope of the Regulation on the Limitation of the Use of Certain Harmful Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment dated 30 May 2008. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Control Regulation, which was issued in May 2012, combined the two regulations and canceled the previous regulation. The regulation in its current form;

-Large household items

-Small appliances

-IT and telecommunications equipment

-Consumer equipment

-Lighting equipment

-Electrical and Electronic tools

-Toys, entertainment and sports equipment

-Vending machines

-Medical devices

-Monitoring and control tools

It covers a large number of products from refrigerators to dialysis devices in a total of 10 different categories. It is possible to see the detailed list of these products in Annex 1/B of the Regulation. The Regulation, which sets out the technical conditions and product group-based targets for the recycling of waste EEEs in an environmentally compatible manner, also includes the limit values listed below for substances harmful to health used in production.:

-Mercury (Hg) – 0.1%

-Cadmium (Cd) – 0.01%

-Lead (Pb) – 0.1%

-Chromium (Cr) – 0.1%

-Polybromide Biphenyl (PBB) – 0.1%

-Polybromide Diphenyl Ether (PBDE) – 0.1%

Detailed information on the said limit values can be found in Annex 2 of the regulation.

HOW IS THE ROHS CERTIFICATE PREPARED? WHAT DOES IT CONTAIN?

Manufacturers need to prove that the content of their products complies with the limit values we have stated above in order to obtain the RoHS Certificate. For this purpose, the products sent to the laboratory are analyzed in accordance with the relevant TS EN 62321 standard and a technical file is prepared. In case the analysis results comply with the values stipulated in the Regulation, the RoHS certificate to be prepared should contain the following information:

-Statement that it has been manufactured in accordance with the Regulation on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Harmful Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

-Manufacturer Name and Address

-Name and types of products

-Company contact information

-A reference to the test report

-Test standard

-Place and date declared

In this preparation process, we see the importance of getting help from competent institutions for necessary analyzes and technical files.

 

 

 

As Szutest, we have completed our Notified Body authorization process within the scope of the 2016/425/EU Personal Protective Equipment Regulation. We have successfully completed the audits first by the Turkish Accreditation Agency and then by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services. As of April 27, our notified body authorization has been published on Nando, the official publication of the European Union Commission.

We would like to inform you, our esteemed manufacturers, that we can now carry out CE certification of products with our own authority, within the scope of which you can find the details below.

Product Scope	Product Standarts	Related Module
General Face and Eye Protectors	TS 5560 EN 166	EU Type examination Annex V (Module B)
Respiratory System Protective Equipment   against particles,   half masks with filters for protection	EN 149	EU Type examination Annex V (Module B) Annex VII (Module C2)   Annex VIII (Module D)
General Body Protective Equipment Protective Clothing against Chemicals, Protective Equipment against Harmful Biological agents	ISO 13688 EN ISO 13982-1   EN13034+A1   EN 14126   EN 14605+A1	EU Type examination Annex V (Module B) Annex VII (Module C2)   Annex VIII (Module D)

As can be seen, our scope of authorization is for now only products focused on products intended to provide protection in the Covid-19 pandemic. However, over time, we will expand this scope and add more different product ranges to our scope within the scope of the regulation.

Halal cosmetics refers to beauty products made from and composed of ingredients permitted under Islam.

Although halal certification is the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to food, certification can also be made for cosmetic products, and it is a category that has recently become a high consumer demand.

The halal compliance of cosmetics is basically enforced throughout the entire supply chain, from the sourcing of ingredients (so that they do not contain any non-halal ingredients) to production and shipping/distribution.

Halal certification processes have a comprehensive assessment approach, starting from the source of raw materials, production processes and transportation/distribution. The other approach refers to the assessment of a finished product to ensure that the product does not contain pork derivatives. Throughout the supply chain, halal cosmetics should be protected from the possibility of cross-contamination with non-halal ingredients.

Halal cosmetic products contain halal ingredients and in a halal environment, by preventing contact with non-halal substances; Products manufactured under good manufacturing practices are called The sources of the raw materials to be used must be known and the raw materials must comply with halal standards.

Products with halal certification – the origin of each ingredient(s) and on the production chain of the product purchased and used – are considered halal when they guarantee adherence to religious prescriptions. Also, in some countries, Halal certification is a basic customs requirement for certain products to enter the country and for subsequent marketing.

The halal cosmetics certificate, on the one hand, enables companies exporting cosmetic products to reach the Islamic faith markets, where the purchasing power of personal care increases, on the other hand, contributes to the credibility of the Islamic society residing in our country.

 

 

Although Halal certification service is seen as a common point of Muslim societies, it has brought about the difference in application and interpretation worldwide due to the nuances revealed by different sects, societies, geographies and cultures. The understanding of “Halal”, which has developed sectorally and commercially over time, has started to find a place in different industries and platforms. Day by day, it has become a phenomenon that is mentioned more and more with the necessity of Halal Certification, especially in food origin and related industries. Especially in consumer societies that adopt Muslim and Islamic conditions; It has caused it to be one of the indispensable parts of mutual contracts, tenders, etc. agreements and to be sought as a condition. This trend, which has developed sectorally and socially, has also triggered accreditation and standardization studies on this subject throughout the world, increasing the variety of accreditation, accreditation and certification bodies on a country basis. The awareness of all relevant sectors in the field of Halal certification has received academic and accreditation reactions from countries with different geographies and beliefs, and has developed in the formation of different accreditations and standards that provide halal certification services to the production sector.

While this development affects the Halal certification service positively in the academic sense, it negatively affects the Halal Accreditation and Halal Certification bodies due to the difference in the acceptance criteria for the products and methods evaluated within the service areas. Although the basis is based on Islamic conditions, the results of academic researches and the effects of sectarian and cultural donations, the fact that accreditation and / or certification bodies have different decisions and opinions for the same product and any issue / application methods affecting it in Halal certification has serious consequences such as dividing, taking sides and not accepting each other’s recognition globally among authorized and authorized institutions due to the fact that it touches the consumer and the Halal and cleanliness sensitivity of every product consumed / contacted. At the end of the day, the overall purpose of Halal certification service globally is to ensure unity of voice on the part of us consumers when we question the Halal of every product, surface and/or material we come into contact with, whether for consumption or not, and to eliminate any possible distrust of any accreditation or conformity assessment body.

In the field of Halal certification, in order to prevent the formation of differences and a negative difference of opinion, an institute was established to be a pioneer in Halal Certification services on behalf of Islamic Countries and to ensure global mutual recognition among all Islamic countries. This organization was established as the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC). It is recognized in both national and international markets and continents through founding and member countries. The establishment objectives of SMIIC are to remove technical barriers to trade between the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation by preparing common standards in the field of Halal certification and to ensure uniformity / homogeneity in standardization, metrology, laboratory, experiments and accreditation, and to pave the way for all Islamic countries and member countries in the field of Halal Certification Service.

The REPUBLIC of TURKEY, which is among the member countries of SMIIC, has established HAK (Halal Accreditation Institution) in order to ensure standardization in Halal certification service and to establish an equivalent service understanding within the borders of the country. As SZUTEST, as one of the leading companies in the field of Halal certification, as in other certification service areas, we have been accredited by the HAK institution to provide Halal certification service. We are proud to provide accredited services to our valued customers in the field of Halal service, as a conformity assessment and certification body authorized by the HAK institution, accompanied by our Halal Certification audits, our highly disciplined and qualified Halal auditors and Islamic Affairs Experts.

We assess our halal certification audits accredited by HAK within the scope of the OIC / SMIIC 1: 2019 standard established by the SMIIC institution and assess their compliance.

The Halal Certificates that you will receive by having HAK accreditation have validity and recognition in all SMIIC (Islamic Countries Standards and Metrology Institute) member countries, therefore, you will have a great advantage in the circulation, sale and export of your products in all member countries by having a HAK accredited halal certificate, as SZUTEST, we are happy to see you among our references and to take our Halal Certification Service one step further in our service network.

WATER AND WASTE WATER ANALYSIS

The waters of the world are in a continuous cycle with the energy provided by the sun. Living things take water from this cycle for their needs and return it to the same cycle after meeting their needs. In this case, the substances mixed with the water change the physical, chemical and biological quality of the water and cause “water pollution”. Water pollution occurs in the form of negative changes in the radioactive, physical, chemical, ecological and bacteriological qualities of the water source. It is done in order to determine that it is suitable for using water resources, to prevent water pollution, to protect and increase water quality, and to ensure that waste water is discharged completely and correctly. Waste water analyzes are instant or periodic test studies carried out in order to prevent the quality of water from harming living things and the environment in all areas.

What are the Types of Waste Water?

• Domestic Waste Water
• Black Water
• Gray Water
• Industrial Waste Water
• Cooling Water
• Waste Water from Cleaning Processes
• Waste Water from Process in Industrial Production

The rapid increase in the world population causes the need for water to increase gradually. However, the water resources that meet this need are limited. In addition, liquid and solid wastes generated as a result of the increase in commercial and industrial activities are the most important factors that accelerate the deterioration of water quality. Environmental pollution is generally considered as air, water and soil pollution. The easiest and fastest polluting of these is undoubtedly water. Everything that is polluted is cleaned with water, which means that the end point of pollution is water. The regeneration of soil and air in terms of pollution over time causes them to give their pollution to water. As a result, controlling the existing water in terms of quality and quantity is becoming more and more important every day.

Wastewater analysis; It is made during the environmental permit phase and for the purpose of inspection (internal monitoring). The annual sampling frequency is determined according to the discharge rate of the treatment plant. Sampling times within the scope of the regulation are determined by considering Table.1 in the Water Pollution Control Regulation Sampling and Analysis Methods Communiqué. In the annexes of the regulation, the necessary parameters for wastewater analysis are specified separately as a sectoral activity.

Related Legislation;

• Water Pollution Control Regulation
• Water Pollution Control Regulation Sampling and Analysis Methods Communiqué
• Water Pollution Control Regulation Administrative Procedures Communiqué
• Waste Water Treatment Plants Technical Procedures Communiqué
• Regulation on Incineration of Wastes
• Bathing Water Quality Regulation
• Regulation on Urban Wastewater Treatment
• Communiqué on Sensitive and Less Sensitive Water Areas by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulation
• Regulation on Control of Pollution Caused by Hazardous Substances in Water and Its Environment (Annex-1 and Annex-2)

Within the scope of environmental legislation, the reports of laboratories authorized by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change regarding waste water analysis are valid. With MELBES, which was processed in 2019, environmental permit and internal monitoring wastewater analysis requests are collected. Internal monitoring wastewater analysis applications; It is done over MELBES twice a year, in January-June and July-December. Generally, requests are made in June and December. MELBES assigns the received requests to authorized laboratories. If waste water analysis will be done within the scope of environmental legislation, an application should be made to MELBES.

SZUTEST Occupational Hygiene and Environment Laboratory is at your service, accredited by TÜRKAK, from the taking of the sample to the analysis and delivery of the reports to you. For detailed information and application, you can contact our experts at info@szutest.com.tr.

Occupational Hygiene and Environmental Laboratory Analysis Manager

Tuğçe Aktoğan

Source:

https://secure.turkak.org.tr/kapsam/Scope/PublicHTML/1777?sube=10299&language=0)