Paul Murphy Plastics Quality & Standards

Understanding Quality & Standards

Paul Murphy Plastics recognizes that meeting a customer’s expectations begins with an understanding of how it is to be measured. When it comes to product quality, it starts with defining the standards and specifications that each extrusion shall meet, whether that involves a physical property of the raw material, a dimensional element of the part’s design, or a performance standard for the completed assembly.

Internally, we employ quality practices that have earned us certification to the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard. This international standard specifies the requirements for a quality management system (QMS) and provides a framework for organizing processes, improving the efficiency of processes and continuous improvement. According to the American Society for Quality, “Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.” For more information about ISO 9001:2015, visit: https://asq.org/quality-resources/iso-9001

For 60 years, we have been active in the application and use of industry manufacturing standards; our knowledge extends to a variety of issuing organizations. The standards issued by these groups relate to diverse needs and include methods to measure a material’s physical properties/ performance, product verification/reliability and product safety.

The Quality and Industry Standards with Which We Work

NSF International Strategic Registrations

NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR) is a leading global management systems certification body known for its superior technical expertise and high levels of customer satisfaction. NSF-ISR is built on integrity and focused on public health and safety through risk mitigation.

ACI – American Concrete Institute

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a leading global authority for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, technical resources, and educational, training, & certification programs.

AIAG – Automotive Industry Action Group

The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) focuses on industry-wide efforts to improve the production quality of parts suppliers. The group collaborated with the domestic automotive manufacturers to develop common quality methods and tools, which became known as the Quality Core Tools. They include Advanced Product Quality Planning & Control Plan (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Measurement System Analysis (MSA). These tools have helped synchronize and minimize compliance and certification costs for suppliers that otherwise faced multiple quality certifications from multiple OEMs.

ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is one of the oldest standards-developing organizations in America. It produces codes and standards covering many technical areas, such as fasteners, plumbing fixtures, elevators, pipelines, and power plant systems and components. ASME’s standards are developed by committees of subject matter experts using an open, consensus-based process. Many ASME standards are cited by government agencies as tools to meet their regulatory objectives.

ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has over 12,000 ASTM standards that operate globally. ASTM standards are used and accepted worldwide and cover areas such as metals, paints, plastics, textiles, petroleum, construction, energy, the environment, consumer products, medical services, devices and electronics, advanced materials and much more.

DOT – Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the federal government’s lead agency for planning and support of the nation’s land, air and sea-based travel systems. DOT develops, implements and enforces federal regulations governing use of America’s roads and highways, airports and air corridors, railways and seaports.

FDA – Food and Drug Administration

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or USFDA) is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs (medications), vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices (ERED), cosmetics, animal foods & feed and veterinary products.

FMVSS – Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are U.S. federal regulations specifying design, construction, performance, and durability requirements for motor vehicles and regulated automobile safety-related components, systems, and design features.

ISO – International Organization for Standardization

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international nongovernmental organization that develops and publishes a wide range of proprietary, industrial and commercial standards which define essential requirements to create products and services that are safe, reliable, and of good quality

MIL-STD – Military Specifications

The U.S. Department of Defense standard, often called a military standard, “MIL-STD”, “MIL-SPEC”, or (informally) “Mil-Specs”, is used to help achieve standardization objectives by setting and communicating standards on how things are to be designed, built, and tested in a controlled, known, and acceptable manner.

SAE – International (FKA the Society of Automotive Engineers)

SAE International, previously known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, is a U.S.-based, globally active professional association and standards developing organization for engineering professionals in various industries. Principal emphasis is placed on global transport industries such as aerospace, automotive, and commercial vehicles. Accordingly, the name SAE International was established to reflect the broader emphasis on mobility.

USACE – U.S. Army Corp of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a federal public engineering, design, and management agency tasked with responsibility over the following areas; designing, building, and operating locks and dams, flood control, dredging waterways, building flood protection systems, design and construction management for the U.S. military and government agencies, environmental regulation & ecosystem restoration.

UL – Underwriters Laboratories

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) develops and publishes standards that guide the safety, performance and sustainability of diverse technologies and services including household appliances, smoke alarms, batteries, cybersecurity and building materials.