Organization of NDE centers

The assurance of technical safety and quality of materials, parts and components during production and operation, along with monitoring and control of structural health processes and other scenarios, has become essential for modern high-tech industry. As a result, the market demands for NDE equipment and services are growing in respect to specific applications and fit-for-purpose equipment. Furthermore, NDT has become important for national policies directed towards the development of a national engineering infrastructure and to meet government directives. The development of industries and the use of techniques, which may cause severe damage in case of failure, are also subject to international cooperation and agreements. As a result, within the international framework, each nation has to assume responsibility for safe, secure and controlled technologies. These aspects prompted the establishment of NDE centers in countries with high-tech industry and installations, such as nuclear power plants. NDE centers have the mission to support authorities and industry, offering education and training to NDE engineers and technicians, developing and certifying specialized solutions for NDE problems, providing technical and scientific information and services and, finally, monitor worldwide NDE activities to consequently spread the culture for safety and quality. In 2006 we have launched the CAND project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. CAND is the Brazilian Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, a non-governmental non-profit organization. CAND has strong links to industry and to universities and focuses on awareness of, and response to, the needs for advanced NDT. Moreover, the CAND advisory board is able to organize international cooperation and is capable of demonstrating Brazil's ability to take full responsibility for industrial installations and products, which must be safe and reliable. We present the organization, mission, objectives and current activities of CAND and also illustrate similar projects that have recently been launched in Asia.