Product Certification

Certifying a product means guaranteeing to the consumer, via a standard inspection process, the declared characteristics of the product.

All countries have their own specific technical practices which are defined in their local norms and legislation. Consumers should be assured on the quality and characteristics of the products sold in their country through processes which compare products against the respective local norms and laws. Certification processes can guarantee consumers that products meet standards of safety, reliability, service and of basic characteristics as well as safeguarding of the health of users and protection of the environment.

Certification of a product is normally carried out by a neutral body, impartial with respect to both consumer and producer. These bodies are accredited for their neutrality, credibility and technical competence in checking the characteristics of the product.

An array of different types of certifications is available in the world's markets. Every country has its own group of certifications which correspond to their technical practices. Some of these certifications can by compulsory, i.e. obligatory by law to allow sale or use of the product in a given country. Other certifications can be voluntary, i.e. whereby producers wishing to offer greater guarantees to their clients approach certification bodies and request this certification.

A certified product is normally identified as such by a mark on its body and/or packaging. A single product may bear several certification marks to meet certifications of different types or countries.

Certification of products for Europe

TÜV Rheinland Brasil is part of the TÜV Rheinland Group. TÜV has been operating in Brazil since 2003, certifying Brazilian products for Europe. Europe comprises all member countries of the European Economic Community, all of which stipulate that products sold and used in their territories must obligatorily have the specific certification and bear the CE mark.

The European Community established the CE mark for compulsory certification. This mark is gained by means of a certification process which varies according to the product and the directives that apply to it. Some examples of such directives are:

• Directive 93/42/EEC - Medical devices: General


• Directive 89/336/EEC - Electromagnetic compatibility


• Directive 73/23/EEC - Low voltage equipment


• Directive 98/37/EC - Machinery safety


• Directive 97/23/EC - Pressure equipment


• Directive 88/378/EEC - Toys safety

The best course for certification of the product is defined based on the European directives.

Some certifications are non-compulsory but enable the manufacturer's products to be guaranteed by independent organizations. This procedure lends such certified products a competitive edge and presents a more positive brand image to the end consumer.

Products are often certified in one country and retain their certification mark even when sold in another country in which the mark is not compulsory. This also confers the image of product quality and credibility to the public.

In the case of the European market, the CE mark is obligatory for the majority of products. This mark is always linked to a declaration of conformity of the manufacturer. Inspection bodies may require proof of this declaration at any time. In this context, voluntary certifications avoid problems and bureaucracy and have the added advantage of lower costs to the producer than running their own area for proving product conformity.

This certification also serves as a safety net for manufacturers when facing legal questioning over the occurrence of accidents involving the use of their product. The bearing of an International mark which attests to conformity of the product with safety standards is commonly accepted by legislators the world over.

There are thus at least 3 reasons for certifying a product even when certification is not compulsory:

• Competitive Advantage in placing the product on the market.


• It is economically more viable to get a product certified by an independent body than to run an internal area dealing with requests and requirements of controlling bodies.


• Certification provides a guarantee, accepted in the legal sphere, that a product poses no risk to its users.

Certification of products for Argentina

TÜV Rheinland also operates in Argentina under the name TÜV Rheinland Argentina. The Argentine market stipulates that all electrical products carry electrical safety certification according to Argentine law. TÜV Rheinland Argentina is an accredited body for issuing this certification. Certification for the Argentine market is shown below



Certification of products for Mexico

TÜV Rheinland also operates in Mexico under the name TÜV Rheinland Mexico. The Mexican market stipulates that all electrical products carry electrical safety certification according to prevailing law. TÜV Rheinland Mexico is an accredited body for issuing this certification. In the Mexican certification process, certifications are issues exclusively by the Mexican government. TÜV Rheinland works together with the Mexican government in analyzing the documentation and certification process. Certification for the Mexican market is shown below


Certification of products for the United States and Canada

American consumers and business traders seek products which are both reliable and safe. The Canadian and American governments require products to meet certain standards before being introduced into the market.

cTÜVus Mark

TÜV Rheinland in the United States is acknowledged as an NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) by the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration), and can legally certify products for American norms.

In Canada, TÜV Rheinland is accredited by the SCC (Standards Council of Canada) for testing and certifying products to meet Canadian norms.

Thus, TÜV Rheinland offers the cTÜVus mark which provides clients with a significant gain in competitive advantage.



Field Evalutions

TÜV Rheinland also provides a field assessment service of equipment in the United States. This service is necessary to cater for the numerous commercial or industrial facilities which use equipment that is not included in the list of equipment previously authorized for the American market. In such cases, TUV carries on-site assessment and inspection for certification.

ASME Approvals

TÜV Rheinland American division for pressure equipment and technology materials is responsible for checking and approving pressure equipment and materials according to International codes and requirements.

FCC

TÜV Rheinland of North America, Inc. is a TBC (Telecommunication Certification Body) for approval processes concerning fixed and wireless telecommunications terminals under FCC Parts 68, 15, 90, 95, 97 and others.

FDA

TÜV Rheinland is accredited by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for Third-Party Review of 510(k) in the certification of certain medical devices.