Third party inspection in infrastructure and accreditation

Third party inspection in infrastructure 

and accreditation 

Cesare Saccani 

ICMQ India Managing Director 

Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce – Vice President 

Indo Italian Club for Infrastructure and Building - Chairman

“International Summit PPP in Road 

Delhi, 16 February 2012 

ICMQ means: 

Italian certification and inspection body leader in the building 

materials and construction industry: 

� € 6.500.000 of turnover 

� 3.500 certified site (more than 1100 RMC and asphalt plants) 

� 1500 companies (12 countries) 

� 70 auditors highly skilled and experienced full time employed 

� Wide range of certification, inspection and training services 

� 6 certification schemes (4 for systems and 2 for products) 

� International accreditation (bridge to the European market for 

Indian building industry) 

� 1 scheme for Building Certification 

� Reputation based on competence and Know how 

� Co-founder of Italy Green Building Council



ICMQ Shareholders 

Effective Members 

� AITEC (Italian Association Economical Cement Technic) 

� SITEB (Italian Association of Operators of the Bitumen Sector) 

� ASSOMARMI (Association of the Italian Marble Industries) 

� ANDIL (National Association of Industrial Brick) 

� ASSOBETON (National Association of Concrete Manufacturing Industries) 

� ATECAP (Economic Technical Association of Ready-mix Concrete) 

� ANCE (National Association of Builders) 

� ANIEM (National Association Industries of Minor Construction) 

� CAGEMA (Lime, Plaster and Mortar Association) 

� CONFEDELIZIA (Italian Confederation of Building Proprieties) 

� CTE (Technical College of Building Industrialization) 

� ENEL (National Energy Board) 

� RFI SpA (Italian Railway Network) 

Members by right 

� CNR (National Research Council) 

� Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport 

� Ministry of Economic Development 

� Ministry of Environment 

� Ministry of Labour 

� UNI (National Unification Body) 

Aggregated Members 

� ANPEL (National Association Leca Element Producers) 

� ASSAP (Association Pre-compressed Hollow Core Slabs Producers) 

� ASSIAD (Italian Association of producers of additives and products for concrete) 

� ATE ( Ass. Building Technology) 

� CONPAVIPER (Association Paving Enterprises and Industrial Cladding) 

� IMM (International Marble and Carrara Machines)



References 

Airport Bridges 

Highways Tunnel 

Railways 

Port and 

channel



Challanging targets and strategy 

Enabling Strategy 

� Setting up the National Expressway Authority 

� Public Private Partnership (PPP) 

� Increasing roads “Access Control Toll” based 

� BOT Mode 

� EPC Turnkey Mode of Construction 

� Integrated corridors (e.g. Delhi – Mumbai Freight 

Corridors 

Source: Planning Commission 

Targets 

National Highways 

Develoment 

Project (NHDP) 

Expansion 

Express Highways 

(4-6 lanes) 

18.736 Km 

Roads update 

(from 1 to 2 lanes) 

20.000 Km



The Challange 

How to improve foreigner investors attractiveness 

by adopting regulatory framework and approaches 

(supplier qualification criteria, tendering procedures) 

enabling to: 

minimize operational risks 

(quality, safety and environmental) 

and increase durability and effectiveness of roads?



Part 2 

INTERNATIONAL POLICIES AND 

BEST PRACTICES



Discussion Paper QCI – ICMQ India

CUSTOMER 

REQUIREMENTS 

DIRECT 

APPROACH 

INDIRECT 

APPROACH 

DESIGN 

INPUT 


DESIGN 

PROCESS 

DESIGN 

VERIFICATION 

DESIGN 

VALIDATION 


Construction cycle & control system 

INPUT DESIGN REALIZATION OUTPUT 

ENGINEERING & DESIGNER 

(ISO 9001 + ISO 10006 + ISO 10005) 

DESIGN 

RESULTS 

MATERIAL 

CONTROLS 

BUILDING 

MATERIALS 

SUPPLIERS’ QUALIFICATION 

(ELIGIBLE CRITERIA) 

CONSTRUCTION 

TECHNICAL 

CONTROL 

WORK 

CONTROLS 

CONTRACTORS’ 

QUALIFICATION 

BUILDING / 

INFRASTRUCTURE 

BUILDING 

CERTIFICATION



INDIRECT DIRECT 

Focus Organization (contractor, supplier) Project / Process / Product 

Scope 

Ability to consistently provide 

product that meets customer and 

applicable requirements 

Enhance the customer safisfaction 

Purpose Prevention Correction 

Reference 

Standard 

Approaches to quality in construction 

Verification 

approach 

ISO 9001/ISO 10006 (Quality) 

ISO 14001 (Environment) 

OHSAS 18001 (Safety) 

Audit on the Management System Inspection 

Ensuring the conformity with 

requirements by the mean of a 

professional judgement 

Any applicable Project/product 

requirement 

Frequency Yearly On Going Tests 

Attestation Management system certification Inspection certificate

� Quality of design 

� Quality of contractors 



Action 1 

� Quality (durability and sustainability) of building materials 

� Quality of construction works



Regulatory Framework 

DIRECTIVE 2004/18/EU of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures 

for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public 

service contracts 

Italy: Law 163/2006 (modifying the Law 109/1994) 

� Design verification and validation is required before contracting (strictly 

mandatory for works above 20 Milions €) 

� The design validation contents are specified by law and shall include: 

� completeness of design documentation 

� verification of design contents (calculation, bill of quantity, etc.) 

� coherence between technical reports and drawings 

� verification of discrepancies between designs (variants’ minimization) 

� reliability and functional feasibility of a design (constructability) 

� Design validation must be executed by accredited third party inspection 

bodies according to ISO 17020 (works above 20 milions of Euros)



Design verification/validation 

Design verification/validation achieves the following scopes 

� Minimizing risks associated to constructability: lack of errors and 

omissions that could compromise, completely or in part, the work 

realization and its intended use within the scheduled time 

� Reducing risks related to modification within established limits 

� Compliance with the customer requirements received as input of the 

design activity 

� Reducing compliance risks with requirements both mandatory and 

contractual 

� Reducing risks of claims and litigation with contractors 

� Reducing risks related to work delays against the scheduled time 

� Reducing risks of over cost due to mistake in the bill of quantity



Quality in design 

Pillars and benefits of best international rules for improving quality in design 

Policy Benefits 

separation between design 

completion and construction works: 

(tendering for construction cannot start 

without prior design validation) 

definition of each stage in the 

design process 

definition of deliverables (and 

related contents) required at the end 

of each stage of the design process 

use of third party accredited bodies 

for design validation 

Reduction of over costs’ risks in construction 

stage due to changes in design requirements 

Effectiveness improvement of controls in the 

design process 

Improvement in responsibilities identification 

Reduction of risks and costs rising in the 

construction stage due to uncomplete designs 

(technical description, drawings, reports, etc.) 

Improvement of design information reliability 

Reduction of over costs due to design contents 

(mistake in structure calculation, bill of 

quantity)

20 milions € 

> 20 milions € 



Who performs Design Validation 

WHO REQUIREMENTS 

Contracting Authority - ITU 

(Internal Technical Unit) 

Third Party Inspection 

Body 

Third Party Inspection 

Body 

ITU must: 

be clearly separated by any other units within 

the contracting authority 

have a QMS in compliance with ISO 9001 + 

technical regulation for Design validation 

issued by the Accreditation Body and certified 

by accredited Certification Body in EA 28 in 

compliance with ISO 17021 (NABCB in India) 

Accreditation in EA 28 in compliance with ISO 

17020 as Third Party Inspection Body – Type 

A – issued by regognized accreditation body 

(NABCB in India) 

Accreditation in EA 28 in compliance with ISO 

17020 as Third Party Inspection Body – Type 

A – issued by regognized accreditation body 

(NABCB in India)



Clause in tenders - example 

Design Validation in Road and Highways 

The third party inspection body is required to provide the contracting 

authority with a copy of the accreditation certificate issued by NABCB 

demonstrating the compliance with the standard ISO 17020:2005 Type A 

and having the scope “third party inspection of design and construction 

works” for Road and highways






� Quality of construction works 

Action 2



DIRECTIVE 2004/18/EU of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for 

the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service 

contracts 

Italy: Law 163/2006 (ex Decree n. 34/2000) 

� Mandatory pre-qualification for each work above 150.000 euros 

� Contractors must be prequalified in classes for: 

� type of works 

� size of works (treshold based on tender amount) 

� Only pre-qualified contractors in a particular class (SOA) can be invited to bid 

� Pre-qualification is 

� conducted by Accredited Third Party bodies (according to ISO 17020) 

� granted for 3 years 


� subject to yearly surveillance and monitoring

SUPPLIER 

(Contractor) 

ACCREDITED 

BODY 

Evaluation 

process 

Recognition 

Scheme 

application 


AGENCY 

Tenderer 

selection 


Subcontractor suppliers 

Project 

Requirments 

Award 

Experience 

Performance 

Financial Assessment 

Prequalified contractor 

Project outcomes 

Project 

Performance 

Project 

Performance 

Report 

Contract 

conditions 


Contract 


Practice



Contractors’ certification scheme 

Policy Benefits 

Contractors’ Prequalification (based on: 

� Financial resources 

� Technical capabilities 

� QMS certified according to ISO 9001 

� EMS according to ISO 14001 

� Health & safety according to OHSAS 

18001 

Contractors evaluation 

� Recent performances 

� Available technologies (/total 

technologies) 

� Updated financial data 

� Recent claims and litigation 

Use of accredited third party bodies for 

qualifying and contractor surveillance 

Classification of contractors in classes for: 

� Type of work 

� Size of work 

Improving the reliability of contractors’ 

capability 

� Improving transparency of tendering 

procedures 

� Minimizing risks of assigning a work to 

unreliable contractors 

� Reducing litigation risks 

� reducing delays during construction 

Reducing liabilities of Contracing 

Authorities in tendering procedures



Type of work \ Cost 1 ..to.. Inr 2 ..to.. Inr N ..to.. Inr 

A) Road & 

Highways 

A1 A2 AN 

B) Building B1 B2 BN 

... 

Contractors’ register: concept 

Z) Telecom Z1 Z2 ZN



Contractors’ qualification: benefits 

The international regulatory frameworks for governing the contractors 

qualification achieve the following benefits: 

� to facilitate (but not replace) tender assignment 

� to reduce risks of unexpected over costs due to contractors capability 

� to prevent and reduce litigation risks and costs related to claims and 

appeals 

� to reduce risks of delays against the scheduled time




Contractors’ eligibility criterion 

In order to be admitted to bidding Contractors are required to provide the 

Contracting Authority with a copy of the certificate issued by an accredited 

Body by QCI/NABCB demonstrating their pre-qualification in the category of 

work and size object of this tender. 

Contractors accept to receive a further evaluation conducted by a third 

accredited inspection body during the offer technical evaluation phase to be 

conducted before opening the financial bid.





� Quality and durability of building materials 

� Quality of construction works 

Action 3



International regulatory practices for governing the products’ quality aim to: 

� ensure the product compliance with technical standards 

� ensure the reliability of building material manufacturing processes 

� reduce reworks’ risks and costs during the construction phase due to quality 

of materials 

� improve durability and sustainability of insfrastructure 

But above all: 

Objectives 

� clearly identify liabilities of products’ manufacturer and trace products’ 

features along the supply chain: from raw materials (aggregates) to finished 

goods (concrete/asphalt, pre-cast manufactured products)



Certification References Products Focus Marking Who 

Mandatory 

Voluntary 

Directive 

89/106/UE 

of 21/12/88 

Italian Law 

14/02/ 2008 

Voluntary 

standards 

(IS in India) 

Regulatory framework 

All construction 

products 

RMC Plants 

Aggregates 

crushing plants 

Asphalt plants 

Concrete for 

pavements 

Pre-cast retaining 

walls 

Concrete blocks 

Essential 

Requirements 

(conformity) 

Production 

and delivery 

process 

(reliability) 

Product 

Performances 

(conformity) 

CE Marking 

QMS 

certificate 

Product 

certification 

Notified Bodies 

recognized by 

Ministries 

Accredited 

Certification 

Bodies 

(ISO 17021) 

Accredited 

Product 

Certification 

Bodies 

(ISO Guide 65) 

Aggregates RMC/Asphalt plant Pre-cast products



European regulatory framework 

DIRECTIVE 89/106/UE of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations 

and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to construction products 

� Object: any product which is produced for incorporation in a permanent manner in 

construction works (cement, aggregates, concrete, asphalt, steel bars, etc.) 

� Essential Requirements: building materials must be suitable for construction works 

which (as a whole and in their separate parts) are essential requirements related to: 

� Mechanical resistance and stability 

� Safety in case of fire 

� Hygiene, health and environment 

� Safety in use 

� Protection against noise 

� Energy economy and heat retention 

� Attestation of Conformity: depending on the product, the procedure is based on a 

combination of Inital Type Test (ITT) and Factory Production Control (FPC) 

� Notified Body: when a third party is required to control the FPC such Body must be 

accredited in compliance with ISO 17021. 

� CE Marks: The manufacturer's declaration of conformity or the certificate of 

conformity shall entitle the corresponding EC mark on the product itself, on a label 

attached to it, on its packaging or on the accompanying commercial documents



Italian experience 

Italian Law (Ministry of Public Works) 7 th February 2003: Guidelines for production 

and delivery of concrete (RMC plants) based on ISO 9001:2000 requirements 

Italian Decree 14 th February 2008 (section 11): mandatory certification for RMC plants 

in compliance with ISO 9001 and Guidelines for RMC plants 

� Purpose: verifying the compliance of RMC plant production and delivery systems 

according to technical Guidelines (prepared in Italy by ICMQ spa). 

� Requirements: based on ISO 9001 the technical specifications include, among 

others: 

� list of tests to be executed on Raw Materials (aggregates, cement, admixtures) 

� list of tests to be conducted on fresh and hardened concrete 

� list of checks to be executed on plant, equipment and trucks 

� list of equipments required in the internal facilities 

� list of statistical data to be collected for ensuing that the process in under control 

� Certification Body: the attestation of conformity of the Factory Control System 

(FCP) with the requirements established by law must be issued by an accredited 

certification body 

Similarly, by law, are established mandatory controls on aggregates, asphalt, steel 

bar, precast manufactured products and other relevant material

Initial Type 

Test (ITT): 

Factory 

Production 

Control 

(FPC): 



Integrated system of controls 

Focus What is Purpose 

Product 

Process 

initial assessment to ensure that 

a product’s sample complies with 

standards 

permanent production control 

based on ISO 9001 exercised by 

manufacturers to ensure that all 

products’ batches comply with 

the result of the ITT 

(verified by Accredited 

Certification Bodies) 

Ensuring the compliance 

of product features to 

applicable standard 

(before producing it) 

Improving reliability of 

suppliers processes 

Reducing quality related 

costs at construction site 

Improving product 

performances.




Eligibility criteria for RMC (or Asphalt) supplier 

The supplier of concrete is required to provide the Contracting Authority with 

a copy of the QMS certificate according to ISO 9001 issued to the plant 

supplying concrete by a certification body accredited by NABCB in 

compliance with the standard ISO 17021 in the EA sector 16





Action 4 


� Quality of construction works




France: Law 04 January 1978 (Spinetta Act) 

United States: many State Building Construction Codes 

Japan: Building Standard Law (BSL) 

Norway: Norway Planning and Building act (1997) 

Italy: Decree n. 163 12/04/06 (clause 112) Code of public contracts for works, services and 

supplies 

� Benetifs: reducing risks of unexpected costs and delays due to quality 

� Objective: to provide Concracting Authorities with confidence that construction activities 

are performed in accordance with contractual specifications, standards or rules. 

� Focus: Technical control at site includes, among others, the following controls: 

� incoming materials 

� executed works 

� compliance of building with applicable requirements 

� safety and environmental conditions at site 

� list of statistical data to be collected for ensuing that the process in under control 

� Inspection Bodies: technical control must be performed by accredited inspection bodies 

in compliance with ISO 17020.




Highways - Eligibility criteria for third party inspection body 

The third party inspection body is required to provide the contracting 

authority with a copy of the accreditation certificate issued by NABCB 

demonstrating the compliance with the standard ISO 17020:2005 Type A 

and having the scope “third party inspection of design and construction 

works” for “Road and Highways”



IMPLEMENTING POLICIES



Quality Council of India (QCI) Role 

� Quality Council of India (QCI) was set up in 1997 jointly by the Government of India 

and the Indian Industry represented by the three premier industry associations of 

India ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI, to establish and operate national accreditation 

structure and promote quality through National Quality Campaign. QCI is registered 

as not-for-profit society. 

� Accreditation: within QCI have been estabished the National Accreditation Bodies: 

NABCB, NABL, NABET and other. 

� Construction Committee: in February 2012 QCI established a Multistakeholder 

Committee to: 

� consider and recommend measures for promotion of quality in construction sector 

� undertake/support voluntary initiatives either by QCI or in partnership with other 

stakeholders for promotion of quality in construction 

� specifically consider promotion of third party conformity assessment and 

accreditation mechanisms to monitor quality in construction at all stages 

� Certification Scheme for RMC Plant: QCI signed a MOU with RMCMQ to manager 

a certification scheme for RMC Plants based on the best international practices.

Certification 

Bodies 

ISO 17021/Guide 65 



International accreditation system 

International Accreditation Forum 

International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation 

Accreditation Bodies 

NABCB NABL NABCB 

Testing/ Calibration 

Laboratories 

(ISO 17025) 

Materials / Project / Construction 

Suppliers / Contractors 

Inspection 

Bodies 

(ISO 17020) 

Compliance with 

international 

standards for 

accreditation bodies 

Assess: 

independence 

impartiality 

competence 

organization of 

CBs/IBs/Lab 

Assess compliance 

with: 

management systems 

product 

standards



Role of accreditation 

The Accreditation of third party inspection/certification bodies aims 

to provide Contracting Authorities with a guarantee regarding: 

� Independence: from any interested party 

� Impartiality: no conflict of interest with any Party (designer, contractor, PMC) 

� Reliability: certification process is rigorous and serious 

� Technical Competence: Auditors/inspectors competence are strictly 

evaluated and monitored by the Accreditation Body 

� Experience: Accreditation is granted on the basis of effective experience of a 

certification/inspection body for a particular type of infrastructure



ICMQ certifications 

Product Management Systems 

CE ICMQ 

ECO 

FPC ISO 

9001 

ISO 

14001 

OHSAS 

18001 

Aggregates 365 184 13 4 

Cement plants 5 6 34 84 9 

RMC Plants n.a 1 915 580 17 9 

Asphalt plants 95 79 1 0 

Road Builders n.a 101 8 4



ICMQ Recognition in India 

MEMBER: 

QCI Construction Committee 

QCI Steering Committee for RMC plant certification scheme 

ACCREDITATION: 

Quality Management System (ISO 9001) certification Body 

according to ISO 17.021 in construction (EA28) and cement & 

concrete product (EA 16) 

QCI approval for Third Party Inspection in Infrastructure 

Third Party Inspection body in construction (technical control at 

site for any type of construction) according to ISO 17.020 

Lead Auditor course for QMS – NABET accreditation 

Lead Inspector course in Construction

ICMQ India 

518 A, Sagartech Plaza, 

Sakinaka Junction 

Andheri East 

400072 Mumbai 

Tel. 0091-22-4256 4356 

info@icmq.in 



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