Product certification bodies


Field Of Work
Product certification bodies, like inspection bodies, determine whether something meets the requirements. This can concern products, services or processes. A major difference is that they do not just inspect a single sample or a single batch but they also inspect the company. They therefore go a step further: their assessment also applies to the subsequent products, services or processes that are not checked by them. Does a batch of brisk meet the specified requirements for example? And can we trust that the next batch is produced in the same way? If the answer is positive the manufacturer can use the relevant mark. A product certifying body continues to provide ongoing supervision.

Accreditation
If laboratory tests or inspections are required certification bodies can use the services of accredited laboratories or inspection bodies. Certification bodies who undertake calibrations, tests or inspections themselves have to meet the requirements for laboratories or inspection bodies. Where applicable they also have to participate in proficiency testing. The IAAS accredits product certification bodies on the basis of the ISO/IEC 17065 standard.

Management system certification bodies

Field Of Work
For this form of certification an organisation’s management system is analysed. For example: Does it meet the requirements relating to quality, the environment, safety, working conditions or information security? And can it be reasonably expected that this will be the case both now and in the future? Both points are assessed by management system certification bodies. The organisation is issued with a certificate in the event of a positive assessment. This certificate confirms that the management system meets specific requirements and only states the products or services to which the management system relates. It is not therefore a statement that these products or services meet specific requirements. A management system certification body continues to provide ongoing supervision.

Accreditation
The IAAS accreditation management system certification bodies on the basis of the ISO/IEC 17021 standard.

Further information?

You can use the search engine or consult the list of accredited bodies to find details of all management system certification bodies accredited by the IAAS Policy document IAAS/001 describes the various fields of work relating to certification.

Management system or product certification?

Management system certification is occasionally confused with product certification. The question is: What is being assessed? Product certification is about assessing a product, service or process. Management system certification is about assessing an organisation’s management system. The latter does not therefore state whether an organisation’s products, services and processes meet the specified requirements.

Personnel certification bodies

Field Of Work
Personnel certification bodies assess the competency of people: electrical engineers, career advisers, welders, inspectors, etc. It starts with an analysis. What type of job does a person have? What are the associated tasks? What skills are required? A personal certification body then examines how the competencies can be tested, for example via exams, assessment or a work piece. In the event of a positive result the relevant person is issued with a certificate. The major difference between this and a diploma is the certification involves ongoing supervision. A certificate therefore has a specific period of validity.

Accreditation
The IAAS accredits personnel certification bodies on the basis of the ISO/IEC 17024 standard.