This Quality Policy establishes the framework of principles, values, and commitments of the Hellenic Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (HINDT) concerning its operation as a Personnel Certification Body, in accordance with the requirements of the international standards EN ISO/IEC 17024 and EN ISO 9712.

The purpose of this policy is the establishment of a coherent and well-documented quality assurance framework, which aims to:

• ensuring the reliability and validity of certification processes,
• safeguarding integrity, impartiality, and transparency throughout all stages of evaluation and decision-making, and
• maintaining the technical competence of the resources involved (human, organizational, and technological).

The Quality Policy is applied to all certification activities of HINDT and covers all interested parties, including candidates for certification, certified professionals, examiners, evaluators, members of certification committees, and collaborating organizations.

The ultimate goal of this policy is to enhance the trust of the industry, society, and certified professionals in HINDT services, through systematic compliance with applicable standards, continuous improvement of processes, and ongoing enhancement of the quality of the provided certification services.

HINDT is committed to operating in accordance with the principles of quality, impartiality, and technical competence, implementing a comprehensive and well-documented management system. Within this framework, HINDT:

It fully and systematically complies with the requirements of the international standards EN ISO/IEC 17024 and EN ISO 9712, as well as with every relevant regulatory, legislative, and contractual obligation governing its activity.

It ensures the impartiality, integrity, and transparency of all certification processes, with the aim of maintaining the reliability and objectivity of the results, as well as enhancing the trust of the stakeholders.

It ensures the continuous technical competence of its human resources, including examiners, assessors, and members of certification committees, through ongoing training programs, professional development, and periodic performance evaluations.

It provides equal, fair, and impartial treatment to all candidates and clients, without any discrimination based on gender, age, nationality, professional status, religion, or any other characteristic, in accordance with the principles of non-discrimination and respect for human rights.

It implements, maintains, and continuously improves a documented Quality Management System, which is based on:

• the identification and evaluation of risks and opportunities,
• in the systematic collection and analysis of feedback from the stakeholders,
  and
• the monitoring, measurement, and evaluation of performance indicators, with the objective of continuously improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the certification services provided.

Within the framework of personnel certification in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) according to the international standard EN ISO 9712, the Hellenic Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (HINDT) implements a coherent and documented certification system, which ensures the reliability, validity, and transparency of the related procedures.

Specifically, the HINDT:

• Ensures full compliance of evaluation, examination, initial certification, renewal, and recertification processes with all applicable requirements of EN ISO 9712, as well as with related regulatory and contractual obligations.
• Systematically updates training, examination, and assessment programs by taking into account technological developments in the NDT sector, amendments to international standards, and changes in the regulatory framework, with the aim of maintaining their relevance and scientific validity.
• Ensures functional and organizational independence between training activities and certification activities in order to prevent any actual or potential conflicts of interest and to preserve the impartiality of the certification process.
• Protects the confidentiality and security of information concerning candidates, clients, processes, and certification results through the implementation of appropriate organizational and technical measures, in accordance with data protection principles and applicable legislation.
• Conducts internal audits and management reviews on a regular basis to evaluate the effectiveness of the Certification System, identify opportunities for improvement, and continuously strengthen compliance and performance.

The Hellenic Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (HINDT) cultivates and promotes an organizational culture of continuous improvement, which is grounded in the principles of quality, reliability, transparency, and the satisfaction of all stakeholders. This culture supports the ongoing enhancement of the effectiveness of the Quality Management System and the sustainable development of certification activities.

The achievement of continuous improvement is ensured through a systematic and documented framework of mechanisms, which includes in particular:

• The recording, investigation, and analysis of nonconformities, complaints, appeals, and improvement proposals in order to identify root causes and prevent recurrence.
• The implementation of corrective and preventive actions aimed at permanently eliminating the causes of problems and reducing operational and regulatory risks, in accordance with the principles of risk management and continuous improvement.
• The active involvement of personnel in the development, review, and enhancement of procedures, work instructions, and policies, thereby strengthening the sense of collective responsibility and commitment to quality.
• The continuous training and professional development of all partners and stakeholders of the organization, with the objective of maintaining and enhancing technical competence, organizational knowledge, and adaptability to new requirements and developments.
• The annual review of the Quality Management System and strategic objectives by Management to ensure their continued suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness, as well as alignment with the external regulatory environment and stakeholder needs.

The Management of the Hellenic Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (HINDT) recognizes that quality constitutes a fundamental factor for the reliability, reputation, and long-term sustainability of the organization. In this context, the Management assumes full responsibility for the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Quality Management System.

In particular, the Administration is committed to:

• Supporting and ensuring the independence, impartiality, and transparency of all certification activities, preventing any form of conflict of interest and reinforcing the objectivity of decision-making processes.
• Providing sufficient and appropriate human, technical, and financial resources to ensure the uninterrupted operation, operational adequacy, and continuous enhancement of the Quality Management System, in accordance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements.
• Encouraging, cultivating, and reinforcing a culture of quality, ethics, and professionalism at all levels of the organization by promoting accountability, continuous learning, and compliance with established procedures and values.
• Ensuring the effective communication, understanding, and implementation of the Quality Policy by all HINDT personnel and partners through appropriate information, training, and internal dissemination mechanisms.

This Quality Policy is officially approved by the Management of the Hellenic Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (HINDT) and constitutes a binding reference framework for all certification activities of the organization. The Policy is made available to all interested parties and the wider public through the official HINDT website, ensuring transparency and open access to information.

The Quality Policy is reviewed, evaluated, and updated on a regular basis, at least annually or whenever required, so that it reflects:

• the organization’s current activities and operational practices,
• Management’s strategic directions and priorities,
• developments in the regulatory and technological environment, and
• the emerging needs and expectations of the market and stakeholders.
• The review process is adequately documented and integrated into the Management Review framework, with the objective of ensuring the ongoing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the Quality Policy.