In May, Mohd Hamzaini Hashim, Assistant Director of the Accreditation Division of the Malaysia Department of Standards, visited the IAS headquarters in Whittier, Calif., to learn more about IAS' accreditation processes and programs for organizations that conduct inspections. During two-week his visit, Hamzaini visited IAS-accredited facilities to understand how their inspection processes are assessed by IAS for compliance with established accreditation criteria. He was particularly interested in learning about the U.S. process for inspecting steel products, materials and steel construction. He was briefed by IAS Program Manager Sandi McCracken on the technical requirements for assessing steel fabrication inspection processes and the applicable accreditation criteria and industry requirements related to steel inspection.

Hamzaini accompanied an IAS assessment team as an observer at a mechanical testing laboratory during a periodic reassessment activity in the Southern California area. IAS staff also provided Hamzaini with an introduction to New York City's special inspection regulation pertaining to steel construction. In addition, he attended the IAS Accreditation Committee hearing on June 7 in Los Angeles to understand and learn about the open public hearing process by which IAS develops and revises accreditation criteria.

Pictured, left to right, Mohd Hamzaini Hashim, IAS Vice President Raj Nathan, IAS Quality Manager Mohan Sabaratnam, IASProgram Manager Sandi McCracken, and IAS Principal Accreditation Officer Hershal Brewer.