BS EN 4179 establishes the minimum requirements for the qualification and certification of personnel performing non-destructive testing (NDT), non-destructive inspection (NDI), or non-destructive evaluation (NDE) in the aerospace manufacturing, service, maintenance, and overhaul industries. For the purposes of BS EN 4179, the term NDT will be used and will be considered equivalent to NDI and NDE.
BS EN 4179 applies to personnel using NDT methods to test and/or accept materials, products, components, assemblies, or sub-assemblies. This standard also applies to personnel: directly responsible for the technical adequacy of the NDT methods used, who approve NDT procedures and/or work instructions, who audit NDT facilities, or who provide technical NDT support or training.
Note: BS EN 4179 doesn't apply to people who only have administrative or supervisory power over NDT workers, or to people who are developing NDT technology that will be used and approved by a Level 3 certified person. People who do special inspections with certain direct readout instruments, as determined by a Level 3 certified in the method, don't need to be qualified or certified by BS EN 4179.
BS EN 4179 on qualification and approval of personnel for non-destructive testing is useful for:
An independent aerospace organization representing a nation's aerospace industry that is chartered by the participating prime contractors and recognized by the nation’s regulatory agencies to provide or support NDT qualification and/or examination services in accordance with 4.4.2 of BS EN 4179.
An organized and documented program of learning activities designed to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to be qualified to BS EN 4179. The employer needs to develop and maintain a written practice for the qualification and certification of NDT personnel that meets the requirements of BS EN 4179.
According to BS EN 4179, the employer is responsible for the implementation of, and compliance with, BS EN 4179 and for certifying qualified personnel. In addition, the prime contractor shall be responsible for compliance to this standard by their sub-contractors. When invoked by engineering, quality, cognizant engineering organization or prime contractor requirements, BS EN 4179 applies to other current and emerging NDT methods used to determine the acceptability or suitability for intended service of a material, part, component, sub-assembly or assembly.
EN 4179:2017