National Aerospace NDT Boards (NANDTB) have been formed in many countries around the world, but mainly in Europe, as a direct result of European Aerospace Safety Agency (EASA) regulation part 145, which mandates the implementation of European Standard EN 4179 (2005 Aerospace series - qualification and approval of personnel for non-destructive testing) by maintenance organisations subject to the regulation. EN 4179 describes a National Aerospace NDT Board as

“an independent national aerospace organization, representing a nation’s aerospace industry, that is chartered by the participating prime contractors and recognized by the nation’s regulatory agencies to provide or support NDT qualification and examination services in accordance with this standard. Such services may include participation in certification”,

Clause 4.5.2 of EN 4179 elaborates …

“When used, the NANDTB shall administer procedures for qualification and certification of NDT personnel according to the requirements of this standard. It is entitled, in conjunction with the employer, to recognize equivalencies of qualification and certification, and may be requested to provide general guidelines in accordance with this standard regarding facilities for NDT training, course outlines, examination questions and exam procedures. For countries where no NANDTB exists, the employer may use the services of other NANDTBs.”

So, this effective mandated the widespread establishment of NANDTB, and it was recognized that, without some form of harmonizing influence, the various NANDTB would address the above requirements in diverse ways. Therefore an open meeting of interested parties was held during the 9th European Conference on NDT in Berlin on 29th September 2006. Following a round table discussion of the pertinent issues, this meeting, which was attended by 31 interested parties, unanimously agreed to establish a European Forum for NANDTB under the umbrella of the European Federation for NDT. This part of the EFNDT website will be an ‘open window’ on the work of the Forum, and ill include all published documents, including minutes of meetings.

Further information on the Forum and its objectives can be obtained from the Secretary (john.thompson@ms2.org.uk)