That is always true. Some engineers and owners make it a point to add their two cents worth to the project specifications to ensure the end product will meet their needs. After all, the codes include the minimum requirements. It is the owner's responsibility to add to the basic requirements when it is necessary.

Based on a couple of situations I have seen, it is prudent to involve a qualified third party to oversee the qualification of WPSs and their supporting PQRs. However, an effort has to be made to ensure the third party is qualified for the work. Having the CWI credential offers little assurance the third party is qualified for that task. The ability to set up a program to properly qualify a WPS or a welder is not something that is assessed by the CWI examination. That is where the SCWI credential comes into play. The SCWI examination is focused on the methodology of qualifying the WPS and the welder. Is the stem perfected, not yet in my view, but the Certification Committee is working toward that goal.

Best regards - Al