Participation in the 3-A SSI Replacement Part Qualification Certificate (RPQC) Program is strictly voluntary. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) need not participate in this program. OEMs, which have been granted a 3-A Symbol Authorization, are considered as having met the requirements of this program due to the fact that their equipment and its associated parts sold as replacement or repair parts have been fully certified during the 3-A Symbol authorization TPV evaluation. OEMs may state in their sales and marketing information that all parts for 3-A Symbol authorized equipment meets the requirements of this program. To participate, a replacement part manufacturer must apply to 3-A SSI for a RPQC, which they may use in sales or marketing information. The replacement part manufacturer shall satisfy the following conditions:

1. Apply to 3-A SSI and pay a one-time application fee for participation in the program and the annual certificate fee, similar to the 3-A Symbol Authorization program.
   
   
2. The replacement part manufacturer will submit to a full Third Party Verification (TPV) inspection, including a site visit, for the replacement part(s) to be covered by the certificate. The applicant is responsible for obtaining the TPV inspection. The TPV inspection must be conducted by an independent inspection professional credentialed by 3-A SSI, a Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE). Replacement parts include any items intended for use in equipment built in accordance to a 3-A Sanitary Standard or a processing system covered by a 3-A Accepted Practice. A replacement part cannot be covered by its own 3-A Sanitary Standard to be eligible for participation in the program; for example, rupture vents are not eligible.
   
   
3. The TPV shall be based on a specific declared base standard (i.e., pumps, fillers, compression valves). In the case of a replacement part that can cover multiple standards, all standards must be declared and the replacement part shall meet the most restrictive criteria applicable from the base standard(s).
   
   
4. The 3-A SSI RPQC holder must obtain a renewal TPV inspection every five (5) years, similar to the renewal TPV inspection requirement for 3-A Symbol authorization.
   
   
5. The certificate holder shall not mark the replacement part in anyway to indicate participation in this program. The RPQC shall convey all such acknowledgment. This certificate will bear a complete listing of replacement part types, the models/names, and serial numbers (if appropriate) which have been inspected and the specific 3-A Sanitary Standard(s) that were used in the TPV inspection. 3-A SSI may make copies of complete certificates available on-line for public inspection to help maintain the veracity of certificates that have been issued.
   
   
6. Use of the certificate is subject to provisions of the 3-A SSI Agreement which accompanies the application.
   
   
7. While not necessary, an OEM which already possess a 3-A Symbol Authorization (and have obtained the required TPV inspection), may obtain a 3-A SSI Replacement Part Qualification Certificate if they desire to satify a customer request. The OEM does not need obtain another TPV inspection for the RPQC. These OEMs have already participated in a TPV to verify that all of their component parts, which may be used as replacement parts, conform to the appropriate 3-A standards. Neither is the Certificate of Quality Control necessary to be filed by such applicants. However, the OEM must complete and return the application form with a complete list of the items to be shown on the certificate and the required fees. The applicant must also sign and return the 3-A SSI RPQC Program Agreement.
   
   An OEM may utilize the RPQC Program as an added quality assurance control step when purchasing component parts from outside suppliers. This arrangement is between the OEM and the supplier and not a requirement of 3-A SSI.
   
   
8. An organization holding a 3-A SSI RPQC may state this in its sales or marketing literature. The organization may state that items listed on the Certificate meet the requirements of the applicable provisions of 3 A Sanitary Standards. 3-A SSI recommends the following declaration:
   
   (Part Names/Models/Numbers) holds a 3-A SSI Replacement Part Qualification Certificate and conforms to applicable provisions of (3-A Sanitary Standard #)
   
   Neither 3-A SSI nor its employees “approve”, “certify”, “rate”, or “endorse” the design, construction, or use of the equipment and there shall be no statements or implications, which might so indicate. Unauthorized use of the 3-A SSI.
   
   RPQC, or improper statements regarding its scope or purpose is not allowed and may result in the discontinuance or revocation of the Certificate and/or other actions determined suitable by 3-A SSI.

Upon revisions of 3-A Sanitary Standards, new certificates or renewals of certificates based upon the 3-A Sanitary Standards in effect prior to the revision shall not be valid for replacement parts manufactured after the effective date of the revised 3-A Sanitary Standards. Holders of certificates for replacement parts manufactured after the effective date of the revised 3-A Sanitary Standards shall submit the documentation required.

When a holder of a certificate wishes to modify the design, fabrication, or materials of construction of covered equipment or machinery; or, add one or more models of replacement parts conforming to the 3-A Sanitary Standards upon which the new or renewal certificate was predicated, the certificate may be amended upon the filing of an application (or applications by the non-manufacturer and manufacturer(s), supported by pertinent data required.

Certificates shall expire on the date shown. Each holder of a certificate shall be notified by 3-A SSI and provided renewal information approximately 90 days prior to the expiration date. The application forms for renewal of a certificate shall conform to provisions of the TPV Manual.

A certificate may be relinquished by the holder. If such relinquishment is announced by all of the manufacturers of replacement parts for a non-manufacturer, the certificate non-manufacturer automatically expires.

Completed applications and all other required material shall be submitted to:

3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
6888 Elm Street
Suite 2D
McLean, VA 22101-3829

The application shall be accompanied by:

1. A statement as to whether the applicant is or is not the manufacturer of the models of equipment or machinery listed in the application. If the applicant is a non-manufacturer, the name(s) and address(s) of the manufacturer(s) shall be supplied to 3-A SSI.
   
   
2. For New Applications (and for renewals/amendments where a significant change in design, fabrication, or materials has been made) a copy of the TPV Report issued by a Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) and a Certificate of Quality Control.
   
   
3. The Certificate of Quality Control shall be signed by the highest ranking corporate official (e.g. President, Chief Executive Officer) of the company or division and the Director of Manufacturing.
   
   
4. The appropriate application and fee to 3-A SSI. Fees are shown in 3-A SSI Schedule of Fees and Payment Form. The certificate program operates on a calendar year period.

 

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