ASTM E 329 : 2018

1.1This specification defines the minimum requirements for agencies engaged in any of the following:

1.2Criteria are provided for assessing the competence of an agency to properly perform designated inspections, tests, or Special Inspection services. This specification establishes essential characteristics pertaining to the organization, management, personnel, facilities, quality systems, responsibilities, duties, inspection and testing methods, records, and reports of the agency. This specification may be supplemented by more specific criteria and requirements, if required.

1.3This specification can be used as a basis to assess an agency and is intended for use in accrediting agencies, public or private, engaged in inspection, testing, and Special Inspection of construction activities and materials used in construction. These services include but are not limited to reinforced concrete, precast concrete, structural steel erection, welding, bolting, soil and rock, foundations, masonry, sprayed fire-resistive materials, fire stops, exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS), and Special Cases. Building officials can use Specification E329 to assess the competency of agencies in the fields covered by Specification E329.

1.4A certificate of accreditation, including the scope of accreditation, is required to comply with this specification.

1.5The users of an accredited agency must review the agency's scope of accreditation to ensure the agency has been accredited for its technical competence to perform the specific inspections or tests requested by the user.

1.6This specification is not intended to:

1.7This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.