The Metal Casting Technology Station (MCTS) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) was recently certified as ISO 9001:2008 compliant for the scope of “Metal and Sand Testing”. The accreditation was issued in December 2016 by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). The MTCS operates within the UJ Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE).

The ISO 9001:2008 standard sets out the criteria for a quality management system. It is the most widely used and internationally-recognised framework for good quality management in an organisation.

According to Mr Kulani Mageza, UJ’s MCTS Station Manager, “With the ISO 9001:2008 certification, the MCTS is more equipped to provide high standard technical services to industry. Our customers can be confident that the MCTS is dedicated to maintain the highest efficiency and responsiveness possible in achieving its ultimate goal – guaranteed customer satisfaction.”

To maintain its certification, MCTS will perform audits to ensure compliance and to assess initiatives for continued improvement.

The ISO 9001:2008 compliancy demonstrates that the Metal Casting Technology Station has set policies, processes and procedures in place to support and assist with analysis, testing, research, product development, consultation and facilitation through education and training.

The MCTS is now in the process of obtaining ISO 17025:2005, which will enable them to promote their testing as independent third-party testers, as well as the performing calibration of foundry laboratory equipment.

With this certification, MCTS has joined over one million organizations in the world certified for quality management systems and has led the way for other university units in the country, says Mr Mageza.

The MCTS would like to thank the South African Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) for funding the accreditation, as well as Mr Farouk Varachia, retired staff and current staff members of the MCTS for making the accreditation possible.