Testing, inspecting, verifying

Organizations who want to demonstrate that their product, process or service conforms to a standard can use an independent evaluation body that provides testing, certification, inspection or calibration services. This process is known as conformity assessment.

Conformity assessment bodies can apply for accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), which assesses these organizations for their impartiality and competence.

Certification

Certification is a means of showing that a product or service conforms to a standard. Applying a certification mark is a visual way of showing this conformity. Examples of certification marks are the Woolmark, Charter Mark and the Kitemark.

Taking the Kitemark as an example, having a Kitemark associated with a product or service certifies that it complies with an applicable standard as agreed by the British Standards Institution. Kitemarks are applicable to a variety of products and services, from printed circuit boards to cattle tags.

The letters 'CE' on a product are the manufacturer's claim that the product complies with the requirements of all relevant European Directives. Many products are covered by these directives, and for some it's a legal requirement to bear the CE marking. This indicates that the product achieves a minimum level of quality, and ensures it can move freely throughout the European Single Market.