API Releases 10th Edition of API Spec Q1
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Updates Quality Management System for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry
WASHINGTON, September 18, 2023 — The American Petroleum Institute (API) today announced the publication of the 10th edition of API Specification Q1, Quality Management System Requirements for Organizations Providing Products for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry. This milestone edition establishes essential benchmarks for developing a quality management system for equipment manufacturers that promotes continuous improvement, reduces the likelihood of delivering nonconforming product and drives operational efficiency.
"The 10th edition of API Q1 underscores our commitment to promoting a culture of excellence and driving innovation within the industry. With its expanded scope and refined provisions, this standard helps organizations navigate a rapidly evolving industry landscape while upholding the highest quality standards,” said Anchal Liddar, Senior Vice President of Global Industry Services for API.
Advancing Excellence
The 10th edition of API Q1 introduces significant improvements over previous editions, with numerous requirements designed to elevate quality standards and meet the evolving needs of the industry. By including non-manufacturing operations and industry experience, this edition represents a substantial advancement in establishing industry standards for quality manufacturing.
Broadened Scope, Key Improvements
A key distinction of this 10th edition is its expanded scope to include other types of organizations that provide products for use in the petroleum and natural gas industry. While previous editions of API Q1 limited its application to organizations engaged in manufacturing and related processes, the 10th edition includes organizations providing a variety of services, including manufacturing, engineering and design, physical product realization activities (welding, heat treating, coating, matching, inspection, testing, servicing) and physical product-related activities (distribution, logistics and software development). The new edition reinforces safety and consistency across industry products and operations.
Additionally, the 10th edition of Q1 now aligns with ISO 9001:2015, Quality Management Systems — Requirements, whereas the 9th edition was tied to the 2008 version of the ISO standard. An update to the accompanying QMS standard, API Spec Q2, Quality Management System Requirements for Service Supply Organizations for the Petroleum and Natural Gas Industries, was published in 2021.
Other notable changes from the 9th to 10th edition include an expansion of the record retention period, the introduction of alternatives to the traditional Quality Manual, modifications surrounding inspections and final acceptance processes, a revised supplier evaluation process and an enhanced focus on risk-based approaches. Collectively, these changes emphasize API’s proactive approach to driving continuous improvement and aligning with the industry’s evolving needs.
Global Collaboration
Domestic and international operators, manufacturers and suppliers worked collaboratively to develop the 10th edition of Q1. The effort reflects the specification’s global significance, as previous editions have been utilized by thousands of organizations around the world, with nearly 4,000 facilities today that have been certified by API Monogram and/or APIQR for implementing management systems that meet API Q1 requirements.
Training Information
Training courses for those interested in learning about what is new in the 10th edition will be available in early October at APILearning.org and through our API-U global network of training providers.
For more information about the 10th edition of API Q1 and its role in advancing industry standards and practices, please click here.
API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than 11 million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our approximately 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence®, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 800 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.
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