Quality Program for Suppliers (QPS)
Source: asme.org/certification-accreditation/quality-program-for-suppliers ↗
QPS is aimed at organizations of any size in sectors the ASME codes do not cover with a dedicated quality section: producers of raw materials (ingots, slabs), forgings, piping, fittings, castings, bolts, plates and filler metals, valve makers, and suppliers to oil & gas, power generation and hydrogen: plus additive manufacturing and 3D printing, and service providers such as NDE, auditing, heat treating, welding and cladding, machining and coating.
The process runs in two stages: Stage I, a document review of the QMS manual (1–2 days, on site or by videoconference), and Stage II, verification of implementation, followed by an annual maintenance audit. Pricing is fixed by organization class, set by headcount and number of locations.
Why we flag it as a Key Focus: unlike the nuclear certifications, which address an already-specialized audience, QPS speaks to generalist suppliers who may not know an ASME mark is open to them. It is the program with the most immediate potential to widen the 3HCSI client base.
Required ASME codes
QPS is not covered by ASME's “Required Code Books” page: the program is based on a single document, the QPS Standard, available to purchase online directly from ASME.
Want a 3HCSI Pre-Assessment on this topic?
The 3HCSI Pre-Assessment checks your compliance with the relevant ASME standards, ahead of the official review.