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ENCONA provides VDA-QMC accredited training for Product Safety & Conformity Representatives in the Automotive Manufacturing Sector

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ENCONA provides VDA-QMC accredited training for Product Safety & Conformity Representatives in the Automotive Manufacturing Sector

October 27
01:06 2021
PSCR (formerly PSB) training and qualification is a requirement for all manufacturers in the supply chain with end clients requiring adherence to the VDA standards.

SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN AUTOMOBILES

The German Association of the Automotive Industry, or VDA (“Verband der Automobilindustrie”), is a German automobile industry interest group representing both automobile manufactures and component suppliers. The Berlin-based group represents carmakers including BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Daimler, and Opel among its members. 

Founded in 2001, the VDA QMC training center provides expertise in all areas of quality in the automotive industry, with a focus on the transfer of quality know-how direct to the users, through their network of approved and accredited training suppliers. As quoted on their website, “Success comes and goes. Those striving for continual success know that they have to take action. Quality management on all levels is the key.”

With continuous technological enhancement, maintaining safety has become an even more crucial aspect of the manufacturing industry, particularly in the automotive sector, which requires every organization in the supply chain to ensure the safety and conformity of its products. To this end, as per respective countries’ legislation, product integrity must be observed along with meeting the safety expectations of the public – if there is any deviation, the person responsible is held questionable.

Relevant expectations can not only be found in the contractual regulations but also in quality management standards typical of the industry such as DIN ISO 9001 and the industry-specific supplements IATF 16949 and VDA 6.3. In the case of major losses through recalls, insurance companies may ask how such requirements are ensured, therefore auditors check this both before and during supply relationships.

THE ROLE OF PRODUCT SAFETY AND CONFORMITY REPRESENTATIVES

Safety and liability are key issues in the general automotive industry. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have product safety officers and expect the same from their suppliers. The aim of setting up a Product Safety & Conformity Representative (PSCR) is the targeted determination of liability risks to minimize them in product development. A PSCR is not the same as a quality manager but can be seen as a future-focused role around safety and customer satisfaction.

In addition to significant experience and in-depth knowledge of technical and procedural content, PSCRs should also understand product law requirements and their implementation. The PSCR’s goal is to create structures to ensure product conformity and thus to prevent non-conforming or dangerous products from being placed on the market.

All product safety professionals who are responsible for ensuring product safety and conformity at every stage of the product lifecycle, from development to the final product, can take up the VDA QMC PSCR training for better management of the processes that go into the making of a product.

“Close relations between ENCONA and OEMs help us to understand their expectations, and to implement an effective Product Safety & Conformity Representative in your organization, to limit the risk of claims and recalls,” says Hans Trunkenpolz, founder of ENCONA.

THE TRAINING COURSE

The two-day PSCR qualification is specifically geared towards requirements in the participants’ daily practice. In five modules the central topics of product integrity are explored, and competence as a product safety representative is developed. The legal conditions and sources for product safety cases that have been reported are covered, as well as a review of information that can be expected from PSCR is covered. Finally, the method for developing a product safety system based on existing quality, work environment, information management, and environmental work systems is explored.

THE MOVE TOWARDS ONLINE TRAINING 

The frequency of online training has grown exponentially since the COVID-19 pandemic brought many organizations to a standstill and some believe it may have changed education and training forever.

“This popular course fills up quickly, especially around new vehicle launches,” adds ENCONA CEO Lloyd Staples, “and with the COVID pandemic we were luckily already well-prepared to switch to our live instructor-led online training sessions, which have been well-received in an industry typically preferential towards in-person classroom-style training.”

He clarifies, “However, ENCONA will also continue to offer in-person and dedicated in-house training for larger groups, as we cater to client needs accordingly.”

FUTURE UPGRADES

The VDA QMC is expected to roll out updates to the current PSCR program in 2022 to cover additional content. Upgrade training for PSCR qualified delegates will be available then.

ABOUT ENCONA

ENCONA is a global training and consulting firm, primarily in the automotive sector. 

More information can be found on www.encona.org 

Media Contact
Company Name: ENCONAcademy LLC
Contact Person: Michael Lee
Email: Send Email
Phone: +1 313 288 8062
Address:47767 Kelston Drive
City: Macomb
State: MI 48878
Country: United States
Website: https://www.encona.org/

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