Overview
CEN ISO/TS 24283-2:2022 - "Geotechnical investigation and testing - Qualification criteria and assessment - Part 2: Responsible expert" defines the qualification criteria and responsibilities for the person who officially oversees sampling, testing, measuring, monitoring and installation of geotechnical equipment (for example piezometers, borehole heat exchangers, inclinometers and extensometers). Issued as a CEN-adopted ISO Technical Specification, it establishes the minimum documented competence and supervisory duties required to ensure reliable geotechnical investigation and reporting.
Key topics and requirements
- Role definition: The document defines the “responsible expert” as the person accountable for technical management, supervision and reporting of specified parts of sampling, laboratory and field testing, measuring, monitoring and equipment installation.
- Qualification routes:
- College/university degree in a relevant subject + at least 3 years relevant work experience; or
- Completed vocational training in a relevant subject + at least 5 years relevant work experience; or
- 10 years relevant work experience without formal training.
- Required competencies (documented):
- Knowledge of applicable laws, health, safety and environmental regulations, technical rules and standards.
- Understanding of objectives of geotechnical ground investigation and basic geological, soil/rock mechanical and hydrogeological principles.
- Familiarity with sampling, laboratory and field testing, measuring, monitoring and equipment installation per referenced standards.
- Competence in reporting to relevant standards and in soil/rock identification (ISO 14688-1, ISO 14689, if applicable).
- Understanding of quality management systems.
- Capabilities expected:
- Interpret and understand investigation programme aims.
- Supervise qualified technicians/operators and ensure data/report quality.
- Identify divergences affecting results and call for additional expertise when needed.
- Responsibility: The responsible expert supervises execution, verifies conformity with standards and checks/signs the test reports for which they are accountable.
Applications and who uses it
- Intended for geotechnical engineers, site supervisors, laboratory managers, monitoring specialists, and contractors involved in field and laboratory geotechnical work.
- Useful to clients, project managers and conformity assessment bodies (first-, second- and third-party control) to demonstrate or verify competence and to support procurement and quality assurance in projects involving earthworks, foundations, underground works and geotechnical monitoring.
- Applies directly where installation and monitoring of piezometers, borehole heat exchangers, inclinometers, extensometers and related field testing are performed.
Related standards
The Technical Specification references and aligns with other ISO geotechnical standards, notably:
Keywords: CEN ISO/TS 24283-2:2022, geotechnical investigation and testing, responsible expert, qualification criteria, geotechnical monitoring, sampling, field testing, piezometers.