What is conformity assessment?
Conformity assessment is the name given to the processes that are used to demonstrate that a product (tangible) or a service or a management system or body meets specified requirements. These requirements are contained in ISO/IEC standards and guides. The processes that need to be followed to be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements are also contained in ISO/IEC standards and guides.
The use of ISO/IEC standards in conformity assessment procedures allows for harmonization throughout the world and this, in turn, not only facilitates international trade between countries but also facilitates trade within countries by giving the purchaser of the product or service confidence that it meets the requirements.
Conformity assessment can cover one or more of the following activities:
- Testing of a product/service to determine if it complies or performs in accordance with the specified requirements.
- Inspecting the manufacturing process of a product to ensure that it is manufactured in a safe manner and according to regulations (e.g. fire extinguishers).
- Implementing a management system to ensure that products/services are produced or delivered by an organization in a consistent manner and meet customers' expectations.