Product certification is formal confirmation that a product meets specified standards or regulatory requirements under a defined assessment scheme. It may involve testing, factory assessment, document review and ongoing surveillance.
Who issues product certification?
A regulator, accredited certification body or authorized scheme owner may issue or recognize the certificate. Supplier self-declaration is different and should not be described as independent certification.
What does certification cover?
The scope can be limited to a model, variant, factory, production process, standard and market. Buyers should check the exact product identifier and not rely on a logo or certificate title alone.
What evidence should be verified?
- Issuing body and accreditation
- Certificate number and validity
- Product and model coverage
- Applicable standard and edition
- Named manufacturer and factory
- Suspension, withdrawal and surveillance status
Certification vs. test report
A test report records results for tested samples. Certification applies the rules of a scheme and may require continuing controls. One passing sample does not necessarily certify ongoing production.
How should changes be managed?
Material, component, design, software or factory changes may require notification, retesting or certificate amendment. Maintain evidence that shipped goods remain within the approved scope.
