Part 2 – Certification, Competence and Responsibility
In Part 1 we explained what happens when IPC standards are referenced in a contract.
Now comes the uncomfortable reality:
Most companies reference IPC, without fully understanding what they are committing to.
And it shows.
IPC Is Not a Guideline
Once IPC is referenced, it becomes a requirement.
Not for the product alone, but for the people, the process and the organization behind it.
That means:
- trained personnel
- consistent interpretation
- documented competence
- controlled processes
If you can’t demonstrate that, you’re not compliant even if the product “looks fine”.
The Common Language of Quality
IPC standards exist for one reason: to eliminate interpretation.
They define exactly what is acceptable and what is not.
Being IPC certified means you’ve been trained and tested against those criteria.
That ensures that:
- operators
- inspectors
- engineers
- customers
all speak the same language.
Without that shared understanding, quality becomes subjective.
And subjective quality leads to:
- inconsistent results
- internal discussions
- customer disputes
IPC removes that ambiguity.
Certification vs Competence
This is where things often go wrong.
Certification is not the same as competence.
Certification
A certificate proves someone has:
- completed training
- passed an exam
- understood the standard
It is evidence.
Competence
Competence is the ability to:
- apply the standard correctly
- make consistent decisions
- perform under real production conditions
It is performance.
The Problem
Companies often rely on one and ignore the other.
- Certified, but not applied → weak processes
- Experienced, but not documented → no proof
Both are a problem.
Personnel Proficiency: The Real Requirement
IPC standards are clear: Personnel must be proficient.
Not familiar.
Not experienced.
Proven.
Owning the standard is irrelevant.
Referencing it in a contract is irrelevant.
What matters is this:
Can you prove that your people understand and apply it correctly?
If the answer is no, you are exposed.
ISO 9001 Makes It Even Clearer
ISO 9001 §7.2 removes all ambiguity.
You must:
- define competence
- ensure competence
- evaluate competence
- document competence
No documentation = no competence.
It’s that simple.
Two Ways to Solve It
There are only two ways to demonstrate IPC competence.
1. Build Your Own System
Possible. But unrealistic.
You must:
- create full training programs
- validate them
- align with customers
- avoid copyright issues
Very few companies succeed here.
2. Use IPC Certification
This is why it exists.
Certification gives you:
- structure
- validation
- recognition
- audit-proof evidence
That’s why the industry uses it.
IPC Certification Levels — Who Needs What?
CIS — The Baseline
For:
- operators
- inspectors
- technicians
- engineers
If someone touches the product or judges it, they should be CIS.
CIT — The Multiplier
For:
- internal trainers
- technical leads
Without a CIT, you depend on external training.
With one, you control your own competence.
CSE — The Authority
For:
- quality leaders
- process engineers
- technical decision-makers
If nobody in your company can interpret the standard, you don’t control it.
The Biggest Blind Spot: Sales and Contracts
Most IPC problems don’t start in production.
They start in sales.
Statements like:
“We manufacture according to IPC-A-610 Class 3”
are still used.
They are wrong.
IPC-A-610 is an acceptance standard.
Not a manufacturing process.
If you write this, you don’t understand what you’re selling.
And that creates:
- legal risk
- technical gaps
- customer conflict
Who Should Be Trained?
Not just operators.
Also:
- sales engineers
- quotation engineers
- contract signatories
- management
Anyone making commitments must understand:
what those commitments actually mean.
Minimum Requirement: Module 1
At the very least:
Anyone involved in quotations or contracts should complete
Module 1 of the relevant IPC standards.
Why?
Because each standard defines:
- responsibilities
- scope
- classifications
- implications
Without that knowledge, decisions are based on assumptions.
And assumptions cost money.
Customers Are Not Excluded
Customers often require IPC compliance.
But:
Do they understand what they are asking?
Referencing IPC means demanding:
- trained personnel
- certified competence
- controlled processes
- documented evidence
If that is not understood, misalignment is inevitable.
The Role of Supply Quality Engineers
Supply quality engineers must:
- understand the standards
- verify competence
- challenge incorrect assumptions
Otherwise they audit against requirements they don’t fully understand.
Get Help When Needed
In complex situations:
- consult IPC experts
- involve experienced trainers
- work with Master IPC Trainers (MITs)
Because interpretation errors are expensive.
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
OJT is allowed.
But only under strict conditions.
- always supervised
- always verified
- always documented
And most importantly: temporary.
OJT is not a substitute for certification.
The Reality
IPC compliance is not about:
- having the book
- referencing the standard
- passing inspection
It’s about:
- trained people
- controlled processes
- proven competence
Across the entire organization.
In Part 3
We will address one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry:
Class 2 vs Class 3
Because moving from Class 2 to Class 3
is not a small step.
It’s a completely different level of control.