Adopting a WPQR from a third party

Qualification costs money and time, so the temptation to use an existing WPQR from a supplier, a sister company or a previous employer is strong. Sometimes it is permitted, more often it is not, and the difference lies in who is responsible for welding coordination.

This article explains the conditions under which adoption is allowed and where it falls down in practice.

The starting point: in the manufacturer's name

EN ISO 15614-1 assumes the qualification is held by the manufacturer performing the production welding. The reason is that the qualification demonstrates not only the parameters but also that this company, with this equipment and under this welding coordination, can produce that joint.

Adoption is therefore not an administrative act. It requires the receiving party to demonstrably work under the same welding coordination, or the conditions to be demonstrably equivalent.

When it can be done

Within one company with multiple sites a WPQR can usually be shared, provided welding coordination is centrally organised and that is recorded in the quality system. That is common in groups with a shared welding department.

On acquisition or merger the qualification can transfer, provided organisation, personnel and equipment remain essentially the same. Record that in a document describing the continuity, because an auditor will ask for it.

When it cannot

Using a supplier's WPQR for your own production welding is not permitted, even with identical material and wire. The same applies to a qualification a contract welder brings from a previous employer.

For pressure equipment it is stricter still: the notified body must have approved the qualification in the manufacturer's name. A WPQR carrying another company name is rejected there without discussion. See PED and welding.

The alternative: qualify intelligently

Rather than adopting an existing WPQR it is often cheaper to weld a small number of well chosen coupons that together cover the whole work package. Selecting the coupon at the right thickness and material group exploits the qualification range fully.

Three to six qualifications cover almost everything at many companies. DEHAAS draws up such a qualification plan so that no coupon has to be welded per order. See WPQR qualification.