Section 8 Combining technology qualification with certification of mature technology

8.1.1 As described in Ch 1, 3 Technology Qualification principles, TQ does not cover parts of the client’s technology that are already considered to be mature – these are filtered out early in the TQ process.

8.1.2 It is possible, however, for LR to combine TQ with a design assessment of the mature aspects, so that an overall design certificate of a product or asset containing novel aspects can be issued by LR.

8.1.3 The flowchart in Figure 1.8.1 Technology qualification with certification of mature technology indicates how TQ and design assessment of mature aspects of the technology may complement each other. It presents an approach for providing LR design appraisal of an overall system which features novel technology (i.e. how TQ may fit into an overall design appraisal scheme).

Figure 1.8.1 Technology qualification with certification of mature technology

8.1.4 As shown in Figure 1.8.1 Technology qualification with certification of mature technology, the TQ certificate can be considered as broadly equivalent to an approval in principle (AiP) that may be issued following a high-level design appraisal, in that it confirms that the concept is sufficiently mature to progress to detailed design and that there are no significant concerns from a compliance perspective.

8.1.5 It is therefore possible to combine a TQ Certificate with an AiP of the mature aspects, to provide an overall AiP for a product or asset containing novel aspects, provided that the terms of reference (technology goals for the TQP, and agreed codes and standards for the mature aspects) are aligned as far as possible.

8.1.6 Similarly, it is possible to combine subsequent design appraisal of the novel technologies that have gone through qualification (after completion of the TQ process) with design appraisal of the remaining, mature, parts of the product or asset provided that the terms of reference are aligned as far as possible and that the two parts are at a similar stage in their design development.

8.1.7 The flowchart in Figure 1.8.1 Technology qualification with certification of mature technology is not expected to exactly fit all applications; it is likely to need some adjustment to suit each application (e.g. in terms of the client’s development schedule, the stage at which TQ is applied, and the client’s wider certification objectives).

8.1.8 The certification process can then be extended beyond design (beyond TQ) into manufacture, testing, commissioning and operations using other LR compliance services such as verification.