Sertifikacije

Sertifikacije, in English often referred to as certifications, are formal attestations issued by an authorized body that a person, organization, product, or process meets defined requirements or standards. They serve as evidence of competence, quality, safety, or compliance and are used across many sectors to build trust, facilitate trade, and support regulatory or customer expectations.

Types of sertifikacije include:

- Personal or professional certifications, which recognize an individual’s proven knowledge or skills in a specific area after assessment by a professional body.

- Product certifications, which confirm that a product complies with applicable standards or regulatory requirements.

- Process or management system certifications, such as ISO 9001 quality management or ISO 14001 environmental management, which verify that an organization’s processes meet set criteria.

- Conformity assessment schemes, including testing, inspection, and certification, often conducted by certification bodies.

The certifying process typically involves an application, documentary review, technical assessment or testing, on-site audits or inspections, and a certification decision. If granted, the certificate is issued for a defined scope and may require surveillance audits and periodic renewal to maintain validity. Certification bodies usually operate under the oversight of accreditation bodies to demonstrate their competence and impartiality. Accreditation bodies, in turn, are often members of international networks such as IAF or ILAC, which helps ensure consistency across borders.

Sertifikacije aim to reduce information asymmetry, enhance market access, and protect consumers and the environment. Costs, accessibility, and the risk of fraud or over-regulation are common considerations in debates about their value and effectiveness.