Advantages of accreditation

Conformity assessment can be used for better control and regulation. The services provided by accredited bodies, either used directly by regulators and governments or as a tool reference in rules and regulations, demonstrate effectiveness in:

• supporting implementation of the European or national legislation, providing a “stamp of approval” to confirm compliance with standards and widely accepted requirements;
• qualifying suppliers of goods and services, especially on the procurement market;
• enhancing trade and economic growth, providing governments with reliable data;
• reducing bureaucracy by eliminating a number of administrative obligations;
• limiting costs and resources, by reducing the need for regulators to employ their specialized assessment personnel and by avoiding duplication of audits;
• simplifying the procurement process by ensuring confidence as a decision-making tool.

Creating trust

Increasingly consumers rely on independent evidence, rather than simply believing in suppliers’ advertisements. Consumers’ confidence on the market is enhanced when they know that the products and services they choose are regularly evaluated and checked by an independent and competent third party. Choosing a product based on its certification mark, consumers have or can have a clear indication of the quality of what they are buying.

Protecting, in the public interest

At the other end of the supply chain, consumers’ interest is protected by National Accreditation Bodies acting as “checkers of checkers”.

Boosting efficiency

Accurate calibration, measurement and testing, performed in accordance with best practice, help limit errors and product failure, improve control of production costs and contribute to an innovative environment. When they obtain certification of their management system, products or services by an accredited body, companies enhance their performance by using a recognised tool for decision-making, risk management and supplier selection. Thus, they enjoy a competitive advantage in terms of reputation and credibility, both on the B2B and consumer markets.

Reducing controls

Accredited certification conveys presumption of conformity with official standards and regulations. This means that businesses do not need to provide additional evidence, and their activities are simplified subsequent to reduction or elimination of controls.

Supporting export

The international recognition of conformity assessment reports covered by accreditation boosts business expansion on foreign markets without the need to carry out additional verifications.

Conformity assessment services spread across a large range of goods and services, which regulators and governments have to maintain public confidence in.

Food quality and safety

Control of organic products and quality marks (protected designation origin (PDO), protected geographical indication (PGI) or traditional specialty guaranteed (TSG), Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC), Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin (DOCG) and laboratory tests of food, including tastings of olive oil and wine

Energy saving and environment protection

Analysis and containment of environmental risks, verification of CO2 emissions, certification of sustainability, use of biofuels and recycled materials and waste reduction, legionella testing.

Consumer products

Safety inspection and verification, especially of products bearing the CE mark, such as those for children and other potentially dangerous ones (e.g. electrical and electronic equipment, machines, lifts, etc.)

Construction

Evaluation of projects and execution of building works, calibration in sound resistance and acoustics, over the functioning of measurement instruments such as electricity and gas meters.

Health protection

Medical examinations and certification of medical devices.

Criminal investigation 

Forensic analysis, fingerprint examination, DNA database protection, security systems in conformity with sectoral requirements.

Safety in the workplace

Management of procedures aimed at health protection and risk reduction, fire detection and alarm systems.

Transportation and infrastructures

Control of materials used for highways certification of competence of personnel controlling vehicles and the railway infrastructure, as well as the conformity of payment instruments and highway pay tolls.