I am in the process of implementing a QMS to meet the requirements of the Construction Products Regulations and I am looking at welder's qualifications. I am aware that welder's qualifications (Codings) require re-validation to confirm that they have worked within the scope of the qualification every 6 months in order to remain valid but my query is can the validation be carried out by anyone within the organisation with appropriate knowledge/experience or does it have to be carried out by the Responsible Welding Coordinator?

Bob Y is precisely right and as an auditor I would be looking for a competent person to undertake any re validations required. You really need to bring the welders into the loop and make tham more active in identifying types of work they are not performing. If these are tasks you do not require then there is no worry simply record in your QMS that these welding tasks are not required. You should however be establishing some set of arrangements to ensure ongoing competence in the required tasks is maintained. This should mean self monitoring by both the individual welders and their management line. Bob

If you are going for EN 1090-1 certification it might be a good idea (assuming you don't already have) to get access to the appropriate welding standards either hard copy or via an on-line subscription which may be cancelled at later date. A lot easier if it's in black and white and in front of you I find. The rules for prolongations (as opposed to validations) are explicitily stated and not difficult to interpret. All the best with the project.