The Gist of QC 080000
- QC 080000 is a standard of a specific management system. It addresses product environmental compliance like restrictions of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment.
- Its long title is IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ System) – Hazardous Substance Process Management (HSPM) System Requirements.
- A manufacturer can demonstrate its products are hazardous substances free (HSF) via its HSPM system.
- The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the publisher of the IECQ QC 080000.
Why having a QC 080000 HSPM System?
Manufacturers worldwide, especially the producers of electrical and electronic equipment in Asia, follow the QC 080000 principles.
Why? Because these companies want to demonstrate that they maintain the best-recognized practices to ensure RoHS compliance. Indeed, QC 080000 is a powerful way to show due diligence to third parties.
QC 080000 can also help implement other HSF programs, such as:
- EU ELV,
- EU REACH, or
- The California Proposition 65.
What does QC 080000 Require?
A company considering a QC 080000 registration must undertake various actions to implement an HSPM system.
The whole HSPM system follows the P-D-C-A (Plan-Do-Check-Act) approach, which is the same as ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) or ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System).
Self-Audit Tool: List of Questions to Assess your HSPM System
Despite not being comprehensive, the questions below give you guidance on how your HSPM system is mature. Try to answer them before having your HSPM system registered.
- Have you determined the scope of your HSPM system?
- How do you find out the relevant requirements of the interested parties? How do you monitor them?
- Are you able to list all of the HSF requirements for a specific product, either mandatory or voluntary? How do you revise them?
- Is the top management involved in the HSMP system?
- Do you have a corporate HSF policy?
- Is an organizational structure in place with names and responsibilities (like an organization chart) identifying the HSPM system, the Designated Management Representative (DMR), and other persons needed to implement and maintain the HSF processes?
- Are you able to list all the hazardous substances contained in or potentially present in your products?
- Have you identified HSPM awareness and competence within your company?
- Do you have detailed the HSF risks, opportunities, objectives, and criteria?
- Do you have action plans to address the risks and opportunities?
- Do you have plans to achieve your HSF objectives?
- Are you able to monitor and measure the degree of compliance with the HSF requirements?
- How do you control the HSF compliance of your suppliers and subcontractors?
- How do you make sure of the HSF traceability and calibration?
- How do you consider the changes in services and product design and development?
- How do you communicate your HSPM system and the HSF status with your customers?
- How do you HSF mark your products?
- Are you able to provide a RoHS technical file on demand?
- What do you do in case of a non-conformity?
- Do you monitor the customer’s perception and confidence in your HSPM system?
- Do you monitor the performance of your HSPM system? How do you continually improve it?
