Aberdeen-based Sparrows Group (www.sparrowsgroup.com), a global provider of specialist equipment and integrated engineering services, has enhanced its reputation for inspection services with a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) certification to the ISO/IEC 17020 standard for its onshore and offshore inspection activities. The award followed a three-day audit at its Aberdeen headquarters.

UKAS is the sole national accreditation body appointed by the UK Government and it assesses organisations which provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services against internationally agreed standards. After successfully meeting the strict criteria, Sparrows has been accredited for provision of thorough examination of lifting equipment under LOLER 98, inspection of work equipment under PUWER 98 and non-destructive testing.

To achieve UKAS accreditation, the company demonstrated that its technical employees can operate to externally verified practices and procedures safely and competently. The internationally recognised standard will support Sparrows in its efforts to further diversify into new markets, including the defence and nuclear markets, while creating new opportunities for existing operations in oil and gas, renewables and industrial sectors.

Sparrows Group chief executive officer Stewart Mitchell said: “We have been delivering high quality inspection services for more than 30 years and achieving the UKAS accreditation is confirmation of the industry leading standards our team follows across our operations globally.

“Inspection and maintenance of safety critical lifting equipment is essential to safe and efficient onshore and offshore operations. As one of few UK service companies to hold this accreditation for both thorough examination and NDT, this reinforces our reputation for providing high quality operations in the region and beyond.”

The accreditation follows a DNV GL certification the company also secured this year. Sparrows gained approval to undertake Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) on bolts, pins and shafts, a technique that allows these components to be inspected in-situ. This maximises equipment up-time, delivering valuable operational time savings.