Washington, 19 November 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly hampered the ability for organizations performing testing, inspection, and certification activities to travel and carry out on-site activities. For some, travel restrictions have prohibited organizations from visiting certain countries and for others, the companies requiring evaluation are prohibiting or discouraging in-person visits out of caution for their workers.

This has led to a shift across all industries to the use of remote options for performing functions normally performed in person. But to what end? How will industry ensure and prove to others the reliability of their products and services through the use of remote evaluation options?

To support those transitioning or considering remote options; TIC Council Americas, the Americas branch of the TIC Council, has published a white paper on Remote Inspection. The paper addresses questions from the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) industry and other key stakeholders on “what is Remote Inspection and its functionalities” and “in what ways can remote inspection be effectively implemented?”.

The White Paper explores the technical requirements, benefits, and the future of remote inspections and provides an in-depth discussion of the practice, decision points, and case studies. in Highlight, remote inspection supports both industry and customers by facilitating the continuity of quality control and assurance activities without compromising either safety or compliance requirements.

However, there are significant challenges to be considered and overcome before any transition can be made. The paper outlines the risks and hurdles to be faced by industry and regulators to provide a guidepost for discussion and solution planning. It’s also noted that for some industries and applications, remote activities will not be a viable solution and the paper highlights an example of this.

To learn more about the issues posed in this topic and our recommended solutions, TIC Council Americas invites you to read our White Paper here.

The independent TIC sector provides third-party conformity assessment as an essential component for ensuring that products meet regulatory standards and guarantee consumer safety. As the demand for conformity assessment ceases to decline, the need for efficiency and technological resilience is vital for ensuring that TIC operational activities are carried out to the most effective extent.

For questions about the TIC Council Americas or to get involved, please reach out to Karin Athanas – TIC Council, Executive Director kathanas@tic-council.org