Effective PCN communication and feedback
09/06/2026
by Howard Garlick, Technical and Certification Engineer, BINDT
BINDT has an active presence on social media, particularly LinkedIn, with many useful discussions taking place around certain PCN Scheme requirements and processes.
However, we are also aware that some certificate holders have been using social media platforms to share their concerns and express frustrations regarding certification matters. BINDT sees a number of these posts and, while it is never easy to read critical feedback, it is understood that it often comes from a place of genuine engagement with the scheme.
At the same time, we do not have the capacity to consistently monitor social media channels or provide the level of detailed responses these discussions deserve. That said, it is recognised that these conversations reflect important sentiments that should not be overlooked or ignored.
Given both BINDT’s willingness to engage and the limits on its capacity, it is important that feedback is shared through channels where it can be properly reviewed and acted upon, rather than through unmoderated platforms such as LinkedIn, where important issues raised may not be seen by the Institute staff that can address them.
The most effective and constructive feedback tends to come through direct engagement with BINDT’s Certification Manager, Jennifer Cook, and its Technical & Certification Engineers, currently Patrick Boulton, Alan Parsons, Joe Heigold and Howard Garlick. This is a small team managing a wide and often demanding workload, but it remains fully committed to supporting both the scheme and its certificate holders. This includes explaining the rationale behind certification requirements, offering guidance on how to meet them and, where appropriate, making updates to documentation and processes. BINDT genuinely values opportunities to listen and support the industry and certificate holders in whatever ways it can. The team can be contacted directly by emailing:
pcn.enquiries@bindt.org
Another effective route for both members and non-members to voice their suggestions or concerns is through the Practitioner Committee. Its purpose is to represent the views of certificate holders and the contributions received through this forum have been extremely valuable. It has helped to shape event talks, webinars and online resources aimed at clarifying updates to documents such as PCN24/GEN, PCN24/PSL30 and PCN24/CP16, as well as providing clearer guidance on how to approach them. Work also continues behind the scenes on PCN appendices, incorporating relevant feedback where possible.
For method-specific topics, the industry sector working groups tied to each appendix are another excellent way to share insight and influence ongoing development.
Relevant non-destructive testing committees and groups open to welcoming new members include:
Practitioner Committee
Standards Committee
ET Working Group
RT Working Group
WI Working Group
Rail Working Group
UT Working Group
Composites Working Group.
Other groups do exist, but some have been placed into abeyance until such time as they are needed. With this in mind, do get in touch if you have an interest in supporting a method outside of those listed above.
In addition, BINDT members have an opportunity to become directly involved in the work of the Certification Management Committee (CMC) and/or Certification Technical Committee (CTC), which require strong industry representation to help drive the future development of the PCN Scheme and maintain its robustness and relevance to industry.
Please contact Jennifer Cook (email: jennifer.cook@bindt.org) if you would like to apply to join any of the committees or groups mentioned above.
Ultimately, BINDT does not want to see there being frustration around the PCN Scheme and fully appreciates how important it is that it works well for those who rely on it. BINDT’s goal is to maintain a scheme that is robust, of high quality and aligned with governing standards, while continuing to evolve where needed. To do so effectively, it relies on constructive feedback shared through the channels it can actively manage, where it can listen carefully and respond in a meaningful way.
The options below provide links to videos produced following feedback received from the Practitioner Committee.
