Conformity assessment

Conformity assessment is a demonstration that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person or body are fulfilled (EN ISO/IEC 17000).

The purpose of conformity assessment is:

To provide confidence for users that requirements applicable to products, services and systems have been met. Such confidence, in turn, directly contributes to the market acceptance of those products, services and systems.

Such user confidence can be achieved through cooperation among conformity assessment bodies and/or accreditation bodies, resulting in mutual recognition and promotion of each participant's work across borders.

CEN, in co-operation with CENELEC, provides a comprehensive range of European Standards and other publications for the implementation and recognition of good conformity assessment practices, suitable for all forms of first, second and third party involvement and evaluation, widely used by all interested parties.

CEN has developed four systems for conformity assessment to European Standards and other CEN publications:

• the CEN/CENELEC European Mark of Conformity to European Standards, the Keymark
• the CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) Certification Rules
• the CENCER Mark
• European Standard Agreement Group (Mutual Recognition)

The Certification Board of CEN is responsible for the CEN policies on certification and other conformity assessment issues. The Board consists of delegates from the CEN National Members, Associates and representatives from industry, laboratories and inspection bodies and acts in an advisory role to the Administrative Board of CEN.