Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402:body:0:p20
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2009C00402
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 55342–58463

structure, procedures, processes and resources) by which control of the factors affecting emissions is ensured. The documentation on maintenance arrangements should be at least the minimum required to minimise cost and maximise the likelihood of compliance.  If a company already has a quality system in place for vehicle maintenance the audited maintenance program should complement this.  Documentation systems that are already in place for financial control and other purposes may also be used to provide documentation for the maintenance program and reduce the need for duplication.

4.2.4   Auditors

 The quality auditor undertakes systematic and independent audits on behalf of the administrator to determine whether an operator's maintenance program complies with approved arrangements and whether these arrangements have been implemented effectively and that the results of the program match the intended outcomes. The regulator may also commission special audits in response to complaints or evidence of non-compliance (e.g. infringing the 10 second smoke rule).

4.2.5   Emissions tester

 Emissions testers are engaged by operators to conduct initial emissions testing of the fleet to establish the effectiveness of the existing maintenance regime. They may also conduct testing for auditors or for the regulator.  Those undertaking emissions testing should be accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

 Emission testing systems (which include test equipment, documented test procedures and the skills and training of staff ) should also be accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities.

4.3   Operator Maintenance Program

 Each operator in the audited maintenance program must have maintenance arrangements in place which have the goal of ensuring the factors which affect the level of emissions from vehicles are managed so that emissions are minimised.

 The operator's maintenance program should be designed so that it enables:

           * the regulator to have confidence that it is meeting the goal; and

           * the operator is able to achieve the goal at an optimum cost.

 When the administrator is evaluating an operator's maintenance program the following criteria need to be met:

           * the processes for controlling the factors which affect the level of emissions should be defined and their procedures appropriately documented;

           * the processes need to be implemented as documented; and

           * the processes must be effective in meeting the goal.

 It is the responsibility of operators to establish and/or  refine their maintenance programs to meet these criteria.

 Determining effectiveness in meeting the goal may require operators to undertake some emissions testing to establish the sensitivity of emissions to various factors. Audited maintenance programs minimise the need for exhaust emission testing. However, they will not necessarily eliminate all testing.  In particular a program of testing will be required to benchmark the emissions performance of a fleet and to establish the adequacy of the proposed