Application information

HV manufacturer certifier (HMxD)

Scope

As different from the HV engineering certifier, the HV manufacturer certifier responsibility is split between an HV manufacturer inspecting organisation (IO) and an HV manufacturer vehicle inspector (VI). Each of these roles is vital and interdependent. An HV manufacturer certifier IO cannot certify a heavy vehicle while an HV manufacturer certifier VI can only certify a heavy vehicle within the requirements of the VIRM and Memos if they are in the employ of a manufacturing certifier IO and NZTA has a record of this employment.

There are currently five different HV manufacturer certification categories:

• chassis modification (HMCD)
• towing connections (HMTD)
• load anchorages (HMAD)
• log bolster attachments (HMLD)
• heavy vehicle brakes (HMKD).

Permitted certifications

Where permitted, all work certified by the manufacturing certifier VI at the approved manufacturing certifier IO premises is to be certified with either:

• a Statement of Design Compliance (SoDC), issued by an engineer certifier, or
• for repairs to existing load anchorages that are of a standard design in NZS5444, certified to the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Repair 1998, or
• to NZTA-approved pre-engineered solutions defined in the manufacturing certifier section of this manual (https://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.nz/virms/hvsc/local-manufacturing/pre-approved-repairs)
• a design certificate issued by an engineer certifier for batch built or standard components (refer Technical bulletin 5).

HMxD manufacturer inspection organisation (IO) requirements

The manufacturing certification process is made up of two parts. The HV manufacturer certifier (VI), whose task is to ensure that any certification that they sign off is correct to the Design Certificate or SoDC, and the HV manufacturer IO responsible for ensuring that the certifications carried out in their name, meet requirements. The HV manufacturer IO must also ensure that any HV manufacturer VI in their employ has all the appropriate tools and equipment to carry out the certification that they hold the categories for.

There are separate skills and knowledge requirements for appointment by the NZTA as an HV manufacturer IO or HV manufacturer VI and these must be demonstrated following appropriately targeted training programmes. Once qualified and appointed as an HV manufacturer IO, a manufacturing or repair organisation must employ one or more appropriately qualified HV manufacturer VIs to carry out certifications on their behalf. Similarly, once appointed, an HV manufacturer certifier VI, must be employed by an HV manufacturer certifier IO before they can carry out certifications.

The authorised HV manufacturer IO is the company or entity responsible for the structural work carried out on a heavy vehicle (not the CEO) and the application must be signed by an appointed office holder of the company who can sign on behalf of the company (Director etc) accompanied by the company seal in the case of a registered company. Each location that is involved with manufacturing certification operations must have an individual appointment. The IO is responsible for ensuring that:

• the HV manufacturer IO takes responsibility for the certification activities carried out by any HV manufacturer VI in their employ
• the premises are well lit and meet the requirements in the VIRM of the certification categories being carried out
• the HV manufacturer IO controls and maintains all necessary equipment for the certification categories carried out
• the HV manufacturer IO controls and maintains a library of all processes and procedures required for all the certification categories carried out, including welding procedures, relevant standards and pre-engineered solutions
• one or more qualified welding supervisors are appointed to oversee welding operations
• they have staff with a sound working knowledge of standards, codes of practice and general documents as well as their trade related published material. This includes:
  • welding knowledge
  • materials and product knowledge
  • drawing interpretation
  • scope of work that local manufacturing certifiers can certify
  • repairs, including repairs to industry best practice for temporary endorsement
  • working knowledge of documents, including the following, as they apply to the business:
    • Welding in the Transport Industry (see Technical bulletin 10)
    • This HVSC VIRM
    • Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Repair 1998 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Heavy-vehicle Brakes 2006 and amendments
    • Other Land Transport Rules relevant to the certification categories carried out
• a PDS is completed for each certification activity carried out.

The Manufacturing HVSC IO notices of appointment specify other requirements, including:

• self-reporting of information (such as information related to fitness and propriety)
• management, quality assurance, and performance management systems
• making, maintaining and providing records of the activities
• management of conflicts of interest and other inappropriate influences
• insurance requirements.

Please check your current notice of appointment for details.

HMxD manufacturer vehicle inspector (VI) requirements

Each appointed VI may inspect and certify the work of other operators in the employ of the same HV manufacturer IO and must:

• take full responsibility for all certifications which they sign off
• only certify work they’re permitted to certify (see Permitted certifications above).
• only certify work in categories they are authorised for
• ensure that they only carry out certification activities when there is sufficient properly controlled and maintained equipment for the certification to be carried out
• ensure that they only carry out certification activities when there is a sufficient library of all processes and procedures required for the certification being carried out, including welding procedures, relevant standards and pre-engineered solutions, DCs or SoDCs
• ensure that, where necessary, a properly qualified and appointed welding supervisor has approved the welding on any activity being certified and all welding is carried out by an appropriately qualified and certified welder
• ensure that they and the staff whose work they are certifying have a sound working knowledge of standards, codes of practice and general documents as well as their trade related published material. This includes:
  • welding knowledge
  • materials and product knowledge
  • drawing interpretation
  • scope of work that HV manufacturer certifiers can certify
  • repairs, including repairs to industry best practice for temporary endorsement
  • working knowledge of documents, including the following, as they apply to the business:
    • Welding in the Transport Industry (see Technical bulletin 10)
    • This HVSC VIRM
    • Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Repair 1998 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and amendments
    • Land Transport Rule: Heavy-vehicle Brakes 2006 and amendments
    • Other Land Transport Rules relevant to the certification categories carried out
• Maintain a PDS for each certification carried out.

The Manufacturing HVSC VI notices of Appointment specify other requirements, including:

• a minimum number of inspections and certifications per annum
• self-reporting of information (such as information related to fitness and propriety)
• use of quality assurance, and performance management systems
• making records of the activities
• management of conflicts of interest and other inappropriate influences

Please check your current notice of appointment for details.

Documents and standards that apply - by category