From remote mining camps, oil and gas, and construction sites to agricultural properties, airports, industrial facilities, and commercial buildings, the work of Smale Consulting Group (SCG) often takes place far from public view. Yet its impact is very real.
Under a single accreditation, SCG assesses occupational hazards and verifies critical risk controls, checks that food is handled safely and drinking water is safe to drink, and inspects environmental site conditions and compliance with license conditions. Each task relies on technical expertise and professional judgement to determine whether the controls designed to protect people are working as intended.
“Behind every finding is a worker, a resident, or a community relying on those controls,” said John Smale, Director and Principal Consultant. “That’s the responsibility we feel, and why getting it right matters to us.”
For the Brisbane-based business, NATA accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020 provides independent recognition that its competence, impartiality, and inspection methods have been assessed against an international standard, rather than simply claimed.
“Most people know ISO 9001, which shows an organisation runs a sound quality management system,” said Smale. “ISO/IEC 17020 goes further for the work we do – it shows the people carrying out the inspections are competent, impartial, and reliable. We hold both, and they do different jobs.”
“Although we’re a smaller organisation, we provide services to large corporate and global multinational companies. Accreditation gives us the credibility to do that, and it’s recognised internationally through Global ACI.”
Since achieving accreditation in 2021, SCG has undergone three NATA assessments. Rather than seeing assessment as simply something to pass, SCG views independent scrutiny as an opportunity to strengthen the way it works.
“Every cycle has improved how we work. Under ISO/IEC 17020 we have to show, not just say, that our people are competent and authorised for their work, our equipment is calibrated and traceable, and our findings are backed by documented methods and records. Each assessment tests whether what we say we do is what we actually do,” added Smale.
“I’m probably a tough critic – I’m a lead auditor for integrated management system standards and train others to become lead auditors – so I’ve been very impressed by the calibre of NATA’s assessment teams, particularly the technical assessors who volunteer their time to share their knowledge,” said Smale.
They also note that the value extends beyond technical conformity. Independent assessment gives clients confidence that SCG’s findings will stand up to board and regulator scrutiny, and help officers demonstrate due diligence, while providing an ongoing discipline for the business to question, refine, and improve its practices.
As World Quality Day focuses attention on what quality looks like in practice, SCG’s experience demonstrates that NATA accreditation is more than a credential. Its value lies in the benefits of accreditation that are realised through independent scrutiny, technical expertise, accountability and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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