The European methodology document for inspection qualification describes inspection qualification as the sum of the following items: practical assessment (blind or non-blind), conducted on simplified or representative test pieces resembling the component to be inspected and technical justification, which involves assembling all evidence on the effectiveness of the test, including previous experience of its application, experimental studies, mathematical modelling, physical reasoning (qualitative assessment), etc.

In the European methodology one will not find a detailed description of how the inspection of a specific component should be qualified. However, more detailed information on how to apply the general principles for inspection qualification developed in the European methodology document are available in a series of 'Recommended Practices'. ENIQ has developed 2 recommended practices containing guidelines on the contents of technical justification and a strategy of how to use technical justification.

In this paper more detailed information is given on both ENIQ recommended practices which should contribute to a better understanding of how technical justification can be used for inspection qualification.