DRAFT ÖNORM

EN 4179
Edition: 2009-08-01

Aerospace series ― Qualification and approval of

personnel for non-destructive testing

Luft- und Raumfahrt ― Qualifikation und Zulassung des Personals für

zerstörungsfreie Prüfungen

Série aérospatiale ― Qualification et agrément du personnel pour les contrôles

non destructifs

Note:
Because of possible comments, the final version of this ÖNORM can
differ from the present Draft.
Please send your comments (in writing) by 2009-09-01 to Austrian
Standards Institute.

Publisher and printing ICS 49.020

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Copyright © Austrian Standards Institute 2009. Supersedes ÖNORM EN 4179:2006-06
All rights reserved! No part of this publication may
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 DRAFT ÖNORM EN 4179:2009

Explanations concerning Draft

The present Draft European Standard EN 4179 has been submitted to CEN members for voting. In case of a
positive result of the voting as required by CEN/CENELEC regulations, this Draft will be published as EN.

Like all member organizations of CEN, Austrian Standards Institute is basically obliged to implement
European Standards in Austria and to withdraw conflicting standards.

Austrian Standards Institute herewith submits this Draft of a European Standard as Draft ÖNORM to
public enquiry and information.

Since a German translation is not yet available, the English version of prEN 4179 is submitted to public
enquiry and information, in order to observe the deadline fixed by CEN.

Comments on this Draft

Please find below some practical instructions intended to offer you and the competent committee assistance
for the processing of comments and proposals for modification:

Form For your comments/proposals for change, please use the relevant form
available from Internet. Download under
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Structure Please use a new line for each comment. This facilitates the attribution
of the comments received to the different clauses and chapters of the
respective Draft.

Language Please formulate technical comments on European Standards if

possible in English, since English is the common working language of
the most European standardizing bodies.
Editorial and/or linguistic proposals for change/improvement of
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in German.

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Please do not change the formats.

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Aspects concerning patent law The recipients of this Draft ÖNORM are requested to add information on
any patent rights known to their comments and to provide supporting
documentation, if available.
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 EUROPEAN STANDARD FINAL DRAFT
NORME EUROPÉENNE FprEN 4179
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
July 2009

ICS 49.020 Will supersede EN 4179:2005

English Version

Aerospace series - Qualification and approval of personnel for

non-destructive testing

Série aérospatiale - Qualification et agrément du personnel Luft- und Raumfahrt - Qualifikation und Zulassung des
pour les contrôles non destructifs Personals für zerstörungsfreie Prüfungen

This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for formal vote. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee ASD/QUAL.

If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

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COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. FprEN 4179:2009: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
 FprEN 4179:2009 (E) ÖNORM DRAFT

Contents Page

Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................3
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 Applicability............................................................................................................................................4
1.3 Implementation ......................................................................................................................................4
1.4 Common methods .................................................................................................................................4
1.5 Other methods .......................................................................................................................................4
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................5
2.1 Standards ...............................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Order of precedence ..............................................................................................................................5
3 Definitions as applied to this standard ...............................................................................................5
4 General requirements ............................................................................................................................8
4.1 Written practice ......................................................................................................................................8
4.2 Methods ............................................................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Level 1-Limited .................................................................................................................................... 10
4.4 Responsibility ..................................................................................................................................... 10
4.5 Responsible Level 3 ........................................................................................................................... 10
4.6 Outside agency ................................................................................................................................... 11
5 Qualification and certification Levels ............................................................................................... 11
5.1 Levels of qualification and certification ........................................................................................... 11
6 Training and experience .................................................................................................................... 13
6.1 Training ................................................................................................................................................ 13
6.2 Training and examination personnel ................................................................................................ 15
6.3 Experience ........................................................................................................................................... 16
6.4 Emerging NDT methods ..................................................................................................................... 17
7 Examinations....................................................................................................................................... 17
7.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................ 17
7.2 Administration of examinations ........................................................................................................ 20
8 Certification ......................................................................................................................................... 20
8.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 20
8.2 Records ................................................................................................................................................ 20
8.3 Loss of certification ............................................................................................................................ 21
8.4 Reinstatement of certification ........................................................................................................... 22
8.5 Recertification ..................................................................................................................................... 22
Annex A (normative) Credit System for Recertification of Level 3 NDT Personnel .................................. 23
A.1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................... 23
A.2 Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 23
A.3 Definitions ........................................................................................................................................... 23
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 ÖNORM DRAFT FprEN 4179:2009 (E)

Foreword
This document (FprEN 4179:2009) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association
of Europe - Standardization (ASD-STAN).

After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of ASD,
prior to its presentation to CEN.

This document is currently submitted to the Formal Vote.

This document will supersede EN 4179:2005.

In December 1998, the Aerospace Industry has established the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG)
with the purpose of achieving significant improvements in quality and reductions in cost throughout the value
stream.

This organization, with representation from Aerospace companies in Americas, Asia and Europe and
sponsored by AIA, SAE, SJAC and ASD-STAN has agreed to take responsibility for the technical contents of
this standard which merges the NDT personnel certification requirements of NAS 410 and EN 4179.

This standard was reviewed by the Domain Technical Coordinator of ASD-STAN’s Quality Domain.

After inquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of ASD-STAN defined in ASD-STAN’s
General Process Manual, this standard has received approval for Publication.
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 FprEN 4179:2009 (E) ÖNORM DRAFT

1 Scope

1.1 Purpose

This standard 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 this
standard, the term NDT will be used and will be considered equivalent to NDI and NDE.

In Europe, the term “approval” is used to denote a written statement by an employer that an individual has met
specific requirements and has operating approval. Certification per EN ISO/CEI 17024 is not required by this
standard unless specified by local or regulatory requirements. The term “certification” as defined in paragraph
3.1 is used throughout this standard as a substitute for the term “approval”. Except when otherwise specified
in the written practice, certification in accordance with this standard includes operating approval.

1.2 Applicability

This standard 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 write NDT procedures and/or work instructions, who audit NDT
facilities, or who provide technical NDT support or training.

This standard does not apply to individuals who only have administrative or supervisory authority over NDT
personnel or to research personnel developing NDT technology for subsequent implementation and approval
by a certified Level 3. Personnel performing specialized inspections using certain direct readout instruments
as determined by a Level 3 certified in the method, do not require qualification or certification to this standard.

1.3 Implementation

This standard addresses the use of a National Aerospace NDT Board (NANDTB). NANTDBs are only used as
specified herein and it is not mandatory to have such a board for compliance with this document. Personnel
certified to previous revisions of NAS 410 or EN 4179 need not recertify to the requirements of this standard
until their current certification expires.

1.4 Common methods

This standard contains detailed requirements for the following common NDT methods:

Liquid penetrant (PT)

Magnetic particle (MT)
Eddy current (ET)
Ultrasonic (UT)
Radiography (RT)
Thermography (IRT)
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Shearography (ST)

1.5 Other methods

When invoked by engineering, quality, cognizant engineering organization or prime contractor requirements,
this standard 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. Such methods may

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 ÖNORM DRAFT FprEN 4179:2009 (E)

include, but are not limited to, acoustic emission, neutron radiography, leak testing and holography. The
requirements for personnel training, experience, and examination for these other methods shall be established
in accordance with paragraph 6.4 and shall be documented by the employer.

2 Normative references

2.1 Standards

The following documents are referenced in this standard:

EN 473, Qualification and Certification of NDT Personnel — General Principles.

EN 4179, Aerospace series — Qualification and approval of personnel for non-destructive testing. (current
revision)

NAS 410, Certification and Qualification of Non-destructive Test Personnel. (current revision)

EN ISO/CE 17024, Conformity Assessment- General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification of
Persons.

ISO 9712, Non-Destructive Testing — Qualification and Certification of Personnel.

2.2 Order of precedence

In the event of a conflict between the text of this document and the references cited herein, the requirements
of this document take precedence. Nothing in this document supersedes applicable laws and regulations
unless a specific exemption has been obtained.

3 Definitions as applied to this standard

3.1
certification
a written statement by an employer that an individual has met the applicable requirements of this standard

3.2
closed book examination
an examination administered without access to any reference materials

3.3
cognizant engineering organization
the engineering or NDT organization of the prime contractor or end user authorized to make NDT-related
decisions and give NDT-related approvals

3.4
direct observation
direct observation is when the observer is able to come to the immediate aid of the trainee and remains within
a distance that permits uninterrupted, unaided visual and verbal contact with the trainee
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3.5
direct readout instrument
instruments that physically display measurements in dimensional or electrical units (e.g. inches, millimetres or
% IACS, etc.) either as digital readout or an analog display, such as a scale/pointer configuration and do not
require special skills or knowledge to set up the instrument and do not involve adjusting signal displays such
as gates, delays, gain, or phase to obtain measurements